Best to worst rated foods for Diabetic (Sugar) Patients

When a person is trying to manage diabetes, every bit they consume counts. The best food for diabetic patient​ can not only help the patients by maintaining their blood sugar levels, but also avoid sudden energy crashes and reduce the risk of developing certain diabetes related complications. However, with so much information and advice floating around everywhere regarding the best diet to have for managing diabetes, from sugar-free, to low-carb, keto diet, etc, patients might feel more overwhelmed than relaxed while being flooded with opinions. To be more precise, when a patient has diabetes, the food they eat is not just good or bad in moral terms, but in the manner it affects the blood sugar levels of the patient.  Some of the supposedly healthy options, like flavoured or artificially sweetened yogurts, might have properties that give a spike to the blood sugar levels, while some other humble-looking options, like lentils, might actually be beneficial for the patients to keep their blood sugar levels in check. Whether the reader is a newly diagnosed diabetes patient looking to fix their diet or just a normal person trying to understand the food they are eating daily, this blog gives all the answers. Here, we will discuss in detail the worst and best food for diabetic patient​, which help them in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.


What are the best foods for patients with diabetes?

People trying to manage diabetes must have a healthy and balanced diet in order to keep their blood sugar in check. The best foods for diabetes patients generally include foods that have high fibre content, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Some of these foods include:

  1. Vegetables: Vegetables provide carbohydrates, which are the main source of energy for the body. They can include both starchy and non-starchy vegetables. Starchy vegetables are complex carbohydrates, giving a person vitamins, minerals, and fibre as well. Non-starchy vegetables are one of the healthiest forms of carbohydrates, which have a lot of fibre. Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, spinach and kale are some of the best foods a patient with diabetes can consume. This also includes whole grains such as quinoa, wheat, brown rice, etc, which are highly recommended food for diabetic patients​.
  2. Fruits: They provide the much-needed nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. Fruits are generally low in fat and sodium. However, they tend to have more carbohydrates as compared to vegetables. Fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, melons or berries are ranked among the best diabetic friendly foods.
  3. Low-Fat Dairy: Fat-free or low-fat dairy products are the best forms of dairy that can be a part of best food diet for diabetic patients​. These include non-fat milk, low-fat Greek yogurt, etc.
  4. Drinks: As far as drinks are concerned, diabetes patients need to be extra cautious while drinking any of their favourite drinks, and try to avoid the extra calories and blood sugar spikes. Some of the best drinks for diabetic patients include water, black coffee, or coffee made with low-fat milk and sugar alternatives, unsweetened tea, etc.

Which are the worst foods for diabetes?

Foods that contain refined sugars, large amounts of saturated fats, or highly processed components need to be avoided while a patient is trying to manage diabetes. These foods include:

  1. Refined Sugars: Sugary drinks, candies, and processed foods that have a high sugar content can give a spike to the blood sugar levels of the patient.
  2. Refined Grains: Food items made with refined grains, including white bread, white rice, pasta, etc, should be avoided as they cause a spike in the blood sugar levels.
  3. Fried Foods: Diabetic patients must strictly avoid fried foods and other food items that might be high in saturated fats, as they can increase the risk of spikes in blood sugar levels of the patient.
  4. Alcohol: While little to moderate alcohol might be allowed for some patients occasionally, it is not going to benefit their blood sugar levels in any way; in fact, it is always going to harm them, even if it is in the slightest amount. Hence, diabetes patients should limit, or if possible, quit alcohol completely.

There is no universal diet or eating pattern that can be recommended food for diabetic patients​ in a one-size-fits-all fashion. Patients with diabetes must ensure regular checkups and consultations with their doctor and dietician, so that they can work closely as per the individual needs and requirements of the patient and suggest a diet plan accordingly. Eating a variety of nutritious foods in the right portion sizes is the key that helps patients to stay at their goal weight, and slowing down or stopping the progression of diabetes to avoid any long-term complications associated with it.

If you are looking for the best food diet for diabetic patients​ or the best food chart for diabetes patients, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Sohana Hospital might just be the right option for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali boasts of the World’s Most Advanced Technology and North India’s most trusted and experienced Endocrinologists who provide the most comprehensive and holistic treatment for all the diabetes-related needs of the patients in the region. Book your appointment today and take the first step towards a healthier and happier life!


Location: Sohana Hospital

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