What can you eat when you have Diabetes?

When you have diabetes, good nutrition and a healthy eating plan are among the top tactics you can rely on to control your blood sugar and combat the effects this chronic illness has on your health.

Research shows that eating a well-balanced diet that emphasizes non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, and minimal amounts of processed foods and sugars is one of the most effective  strategies you can use to manage your diabetes.

The goal is to keep blood sugar levels in their target range by eating:

  • A well-balanced, nutritious diet
  • Less calories
  • A moderate, stable number of carbohydrates
  • Healthy fats

That may sound simple enough, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are some tips to help you identify the foods that should be filling your plate regularly and those that should make limited appearances.

Find a doctor

Achieving balanced eating is one of the most effective ways to manage your diabetes. If you want to plan and follow a nutritious eating plan that addresses your health challenges, talk to your doctor. You can find a Providence endocrinologist or nutritionist using our provider directory.  Or you can search for a primary care doctor in your area.

Alaska

California

Montana

Oregon

Washington 

Related Resources

Providence St. Joseph Health Announces Five-Year Program to Improve Access to Diabetes Care for Portland’s Most Vulnerable

How to cook for vegans (when you’re not one)

Navigating the 3 whites – sodium, sugar and refined grains

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

 

About the Author

We are all about food! The Providence Nutrition Team loves to talk about and share our expertise on how to help you find the right diet, food types and maintenance tactics to help you live life to the fullest...while also enjoying the best foods that mother nature has to offer.

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