What Vegetables Are Beneficial to Diabetics?

Knowing what vegetables are beneficial for diabetics is one of the essential parts of managing your diabetes. By adding regular exercise and a well-balanced nutritional diabetes diet, you will be able to achieve optimum health, which will help your overall well-being.

Your serving of vegetables should be at least five serves per day. This may seem daunting and hard to do, but there are a variety of ways to prepare vegetables to make them more appealing and enjoyable. The benefits of increasing your vegetable intake are essential if you are a diabetic. Some of these benefits include:

Vegetables will make you feel full with less calories - if you have a big appetite and need to lower your food intake why not try a leafy salad for an entr?e and add a low fat dressing for extra tasteVegetables add more fibre to your diet which improves regularity and helps with your blood glucose and cholesterol levelsVegetables can also help to protect your eyes and blood vessels from damage that can be caused by high blood glucose levels. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals contained in vegetables, spices, herbs and fruits are known to help protect the eyes

The one time it is alright to overload your plate is when you are eating vegetables, ensure that they are low in carbohydrates, as these will help you if you are trying to manage your weight at the same time as your diabetes.

Following is a list of what vegetables are beneficial for diabetics:

Asian greens (e.g. Bok Choy), Chinese Broccoli (Gai Larn) and Choy SumAsparagusBroccoliBrussels SproutsCabbageCapsicum (pepper)CauliflowerCeleryCucumberEggplant (aubergine)GarlicLeekLettuceOnionsMushroomsRadishRocket (arugula)SpinachSquash (baby squash)WatercressZucchini (courgettes)

The amount of vitamin C contained in vegetables is known to increase HDL, this is known as the good cholesterol. Vegetables are not only cholesterol free but also are really low in fat; the beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E are known to actually reduce the damaging effects of cholesterol in your blood.

They way it works is as the cholesterol particles glide along in your bloodstream; the ones that enter the artery walls will cause plaque build-up, these are the ones that have become damaged or oxidised. The ones that actually protect the cholesterol particles from damage are beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E; these just travel along with no harm to you at all.

Knowing what vegetables are beneficial for diabetics is very important, and understanding how it works makes it easier for you to take control and manage your diabetes so that you can achieve optimum health.