Type 2 diabetes: Oranges and tomatoes key in managing blood sugar levels
TYPE 2 diabetes can feel like a minefield - what can you and can't you eat to get that delicate blood sugar level right? Dr Sarah Brewer exclusively revealed two food items to be adding into your shopping trolley.
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High blood sugar levels can increase the risk of serious health problems – nerve damage, heart disease, kidney and eye damage, just to name a few. Fret not, with Dr Brewer's advise, you can manage type 2 diabetes effectively. "Britain's obesity epidemic has led to soaring levels of type 2 diabetes," warned Dr Brewer. If you're worried your diet isn't up to scratch, Dr Brewer can point you in the right direction.
The first two items you need to add into your shopping basket are oranges and tomatoes.
Oranges
"The red ‘blood’ oranges have high levels of antioxidant vitamin C, anthocyanidins and flavones," said Dr Brewer.
"Cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside found in red oranges were recently shown to promote insulin secretion to improve glucose tolerance."
Tomatoes
A rich source of lycopene – an antioxidant released in higher quantities when cooked – tomatoes can help lower the risk of heart attacks.
In addition, drinking tomato juice can protect against bad cholesterol for people with type 2 diabetes.
READ MORE: Diabetes type 2 symptoms - the warning signs when you wake up
A cooking staple you most definitely want to cook with is olive oil – a great source of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
"Following an olive-oil rich Mediterranean-style diet is predicted to prevent over 90 percent of type 2 diabetes," explained Dr Brewer – in combination with regular exercise.
When it comes to your spice rack, Dr Brewer recommends adding cinnamon, ginger, fenugreek, turmeric and cumin (just to name a few).
Other suggestions include:
- Coriander seeds
- Mustard seeds
- Curry leaves
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"These are beneficial for glucose control," added Dr Brewer, who also suggests taking a CuraLin all-natural supplement.
Made up of 10 herbs, the supplement "helps balance glucose leaves" in one simple capsule.
Breakfast
A diabetes-friendly breakfast can look like the following: nuts, seeds and Greek yoghurt.
"Nuts can do wonders for your blood sugar level as they are a low-glycaemic food," explained Dr Brewer.
Lunch
"When it comes to foods for type 2 diabetes, not all potatoes are created equal," said Dr Brewer.
"To keep your blood sugar levels in check, it's best to reach for sweet potatoes, which are high in fiber."
A baked, sweet potato topped with a green salad is a great lunchtime option for diabetics.
Dinner
Dr Brewer encourages the consumption of "courgetti" - spiralised ribbons of courgette in place of pasta.
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Is my blood sugar too high?
Signs of high blood sugar – as pointed out by Dr Brewer – are: feeling more thirsty, and increased hunger and urination.
With diabetes, the thirst is unquenchable, meaning no matter how hydrated you are, you still feel to drink more water.
If the body is trying to remove excess sugar in your body, it'll force you to keep taking trips to the bathroom – especially during the night.
In addition, extreme hunger persists if you have unmanaged type 2 diabetes as the body struggles to obtain energy from the foods you eat.
