Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Eating – A List of Essential Foods for a Healthy Diet

It can be challenging to make changes to your diet plan, let alone knowing where to begin: don’t worry if you are stuck. You must make a series of changes to have a healthy diet. Let us call it making fine adjustments. It all starts and ends with the foods you eat, so let us make sure we do not overlook this crucial point.

If you have ever looked for a list of the essential foods you should include in your diet, look no further. Let us go over a variety of foods that could be considered the staples of a healthy diet…

1. Fruits…

• bananas,
• apples,
• pineapples,
• pears,
• peaches, and
• berries.

These are some examples of fruits you should aim to include in your diet. No matter your tastes you can find one or two fruits from the above list you especially enjoy. Are bananas and apples not for you? Eat pineapple and pears instead. If worse comes to worst, then there is surely a type of berry you will enjoy. And even if you do not especially like them, know blueberries and blackberries are some of the healthiest foods out there.

2. Grains and traditional carbohydrates…

• brown rice,
• whole-wheat pasta,
• quinoa,
• oatmeal,
• multi-grain bread, and
• sweet potatoes

Somewhere in your diet, you are bound to have at least one of the above as your staple. Before reading about a list of essentials, it is almost guaranteed you eat rice, potatoes, or pasta regularly. These are the foundations of complete meals, so it is no wonder almost everyone eats these foods frequently.

The issue, however, is choosing the wrong kinds. White rice, refined pasta, traditional potatoes, and quick oats are NOT the makings of a healthy diet. While these are not necessarily bad options, they do not do anyone’s blood sugar any favors, and they are inferior to available alternatives.

Stick with the listed options. Build your diet around them. It could take some getting used to. But once you get used to eating complex carbohydrates, you will find it hard to go back when you know you are doing it for your health.

3. Proteins…

• fish,
• turkey,
• chicken,
• pork, and
• beef.

If you have high blood cholesterol or are trying to lose weight, you must be very careful with the above. Particularly meats high in fats like pork and beef. Always go for leaner options to minimize your fat consumption. That said, fish fats are almost universally healthy, as Omega-3s are a valuable addition to any diet.

Protein is essential, so do not overlook them in favor of carbohydrates. Increasing your protein intake will also increase the satiety factor of your meals.

4. Vegetables…

• broccoli,
• cauliflower,
• carrots,
• tomatoes,
• kale,
• Brussels sprouts, and
• radishes

Including all vegetables would be an exhaustive list. The above is a short list of some excellent options. Include any or all of the above in your diet. Kale, broccoli, and cauliflower, in particular, are “superfoods.” They are recognized as some of the healthiest foods available.

5. Other…

• yogurt,
• peanuts,
• nuts,
• peanut butter, and
• milk.

These are other options to include in your diet, each with their benefits and purposes. Telling someone to eat a healthy diet is general advice. We know it helps to be given some examples. This way you are not just advised to eat a healthy diet but are also given a template of some sort to build on.

Source by Beverleigh H Piepers