Control Diabetes with a Healthy Diet

There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States (7% of the population) who have diabetes. Although the management approach and medications for diabetes vary depending on the type of diabetes, age, health status, and lifestyle factors, diet is always a key factor.And the good news is that there are foods you can add to your diet that will help control diabetes. There's no reason to be deprived of the pleasure of great food–defy diabetes and eat well. For more information on diabetes, visit the Amercian Diabetes Association.

Eat at 5 to 8 servings of vegetables and fruits each day. Here are a few recipes to help you get started.    Broccoli with Orange Sauce    Spinach, Pear, and Pancetta Salad    Herbed Carrot Soup    Autumn Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette    Roasted Apple, Bacon, and Frisee Salad    Green Beans with Bacon

Choose whole grain foods such as brown rice, barley, bulgur, and oats over processed grain products. It's easy with these hearty dishes.    Miso Chicken with Brown Rice    Barley Sausage Skillet    Hearty Minestrone with Barley, Sage, and Beans    Oatmeal with Apples, Hazelnuts, and Flaxseed    Quinoa, Corn, and Tomato Salad with Chive-Infused Oil 

Include dried beans, canned beans, and lentils into your meals. Enjoy them alone, or add to dips, soups, salads, and sandwiches.    Beef, Black Bean, and Chorizo Chili    Mother's White Beans    Crudites with White Bean Hummus    Red Lentil Dal with Charred Onions    Lentil and Rice Pilaf

Eat fish 2 to 3 times a week to help your diabetes and your heart. Even canned fish counts.    Cedar-Planked Grilled Salmon with Avocado-Orange Salsa    Seared Mediterranean Tuna Steaks    Vegetable Panzanella with Tuna    Broiled Red Snapper with Sicilian Tomato Pesto 

Choose non-fat and low-fat dairy products instead of the high-saturated fat versions. Make the most of milk, yogurt, and cheese with these calcium-rich recipes.    Banana Cream Pie Smoothie    Raita (Indian Yogurt and Cucumber Condiment)    Leek and Potato Fritters with Lemon-Cumin Yogurt    Creamy Pumpkin Soup    Cheddar Cheese Sauce 

Eat moderate amounts of heart-healthy fats such as olive oil, peanut butter, and nuts.    White Bean Dip with Rosemary Olive Oil    Three-Pepper Dipping Oil    Asian Peanut Dip    Almond-Crusted Salmon