List of Foods That Lower Blood Sugar

Healthful Vitality | 09/28/2021 | By NP Contributor | List of Foods That Lower Blood Sugar

Since faulty dietary choices are the primary cause of diabetes, choosing the right kind of foods may help lower blood sugar and even lead to diabetes remission.

One of the well-known strategies is to choose products that are low in glycemic index (GI) and low in glycemic load (GL). It means that they cause a slow rise in blood glucose and not much total rise.

There are numerous low GI and GL products. In addition, some products are almost carb-free.  Thus, consuming these foods will lower blood sugar in most. Additionally, some food products have other beneficial compounds too.

Usually, GI of below 55 is regarded as low. Still, one can choose products with extremely low GI (below 30) and GL below 5.

However, a word of caution; Consuming carb-free foods will lead to low blood sugar in most cases, but not all as people living with diabetes may even produce glucose from proteins and fats. Thus, it is vital to keep total calorie intake in check and eat in small portions only. Following this further, we list below the foods that lower blood sugar.

Foods That Lower Blood Sugar

Poultry products:

Both the bird meat and egg are suitable for those living with diabetes, as they are almost carbs free. One can start a day with eggs, as they have extremely high-quality protein content. Additionally, eggs are rich in good fats, fat-soluble vitamins, and some minerals. There are some concerns regarding their cholesterol content, but 2 eggs are within safe limits. Similarly, chicken breast has an extremely low GI and GL. Thus, curry with chicken breast and veggies would have GI below 30 and GL below 5.

Fatty fish:

One can consume salmon anchovies quite frequently. In fact, most fish are good in a way that they have almost no carbs and only a small amount of good fats and moderate amounts of proteins. Fatty fish is preferred as it is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, consuming more omega-3s may help prevent cardiovascular issues in diabetes.

Nuts and legumes:

When it comes to low GI, nothing compares to nuts. However, some may be high in GL. Just take an example of peanuts; they have a GI of mere 14. Almonds and cashews have a GI value of 20. Nuts should not be consumed in large amounts as they have high GL. They may be added to salads (grated nuts), stir-fried vegetables, or just consumed as a snack. Legumes like chickpea (think of hummus), kidney beans, lentils, and soya are some of the best plant protein sources, and they have GI below 30. What is impressive about them is that they are rich in vitamin Bs and various minerals.

Green vegetables:

Green vegetables are packed with micronutrients and are very low in calories. Thus, one can eat them frequently to fill a tummy. Some good vegetables to consider could be spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cabbage, avocadoes, asparagus, zucchini, and green beans.

Apart from foods, consider regularly consuming apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, turmeric, fermented foods, as these are known to lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, these spices and condiments may even help minimize the risk of diabetes-related complications.

(Related Article: Supplements to Lower Blood Sugar Naturally)