Diabetic Food List + Plus

By: HR January 31, 2010

Mulberry Leaf

This article is one of a series describing particular supplementary food items that are thought to be effective in lowering blood glucose as well as providing other health and nutrition related benefits.

We all know that managing diabetes is not an easy task. It usually involves eating the right foods, exercising regularly, and possibly taking medication in order to keep blood glucose levels under control. While these actions are necessary for managing diabetes, there are also certain foods that pack a powerful punch when it comes to keeping glucose at manageable levels. One of those foods to consider adding  to your diabetic food list is the mulberry leaf, often suggested as a food to use by diabetics that can supplement their other measures to combat diabetes.

General Diabetes Management

As those who deal with diabetes know, someone with Type 2 diabetes has a limited ability to process sugar correctly. Thus, after meals, the body experiences a spike in blood glucose. Elevated blood glucose causes many of the complications associated with diabetes, so it’s important to keep blood glucose levels within a safe range.

Those with diabetes are generally counseled to exercise regularly, eat whole grains and plenty of vegetables, and to eat food in correct portions at the same time each day. This can help keep blood glucose at a steady, reasonable level. It is important for diabetics to find a routine that helps them to manage blood glucose.

Why Use Mulberry Leaf?

There are no shortcuts for managing diabetes. And there are certainly no miracle cures, so stay faithful to your doctors prescribed diabetes regimen. But as an addition, mulberry leaf is a diabetes friendly food that can provide an extra boost to your current diabetes care.

Mulberry leaf comes from the mulberry tree and are well known as being the food that                               silkworms eat. Additionally, mulberry leaf has been used in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine for many years and are said to have many different healing properties.

The leaf contains moranoline, a substance that aids in the digestions of carbohydrates, slowing down the process of their break down to glucose. The actual mulberry fruit contains antioxidants that offer further health benefits. If you plan your meals and supplements, it may be worth adding mulberry leaf and the berries to your diabetic food menu.

How to Use Mulberry Leaf

How is mulberry leaf taken? Mulberry leaf extract is available in several different concentrations. It is suggested that the right combination is to take a mulberry leaf supplement that is in a 30 to 1 concentration twice daily.

As always, when trying a new supplement, it’s important to consult with your doctor to be sure it will work with your situation and won’t interact with any medications you are currently taking. If you get the go-ahead from your healthcare provider, give mulberry leaf a try. It may improve blood glucose levels and help you in your quest to manage diabetes. Mulberry leaf is a diabetic food worth adding to the daily menu.

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By: HR January 31, 2010

Onions and Garlic

This article is one of a series describing particular supplementary food items that are thought to be effective in lowering blood glucose as well as providing other health and nutrition related benefits.

Most people with diabetes are well aware of the basic things they should do in order to improve their symptoms and control their diabetes. Especially exercising, adopting a diabetes-friendly diet, eating several small meals throughout the day instead of fewer large meals, eating vegetables and fruits. Such things can really make a difference in maintaining general health.

And along with the basics, there are many simple foods you can consider including in your dietary menu plan to achieve health and manage diabetes. Onions and garlic are two such items that are among the many good foods for diabetics.

Both onions and garlic are already found in most kitchens. Odds are that you already use onions and garlic occasionally in your cooking. You probably didn’t realize that these two foods have been found to be an effective tool to help manage diabetes. So if you have onions and garlic in your kitchen, perhaps it’s time to learn ways to maximize the benefits from these great foods.

What are the Benefit of Onion and Garlic?

Garlic and onions are common vegetables, botanically known as allium sativum and allium cepa. They both contain diallyl disulphide oxide, allyl propyl disulphide, and several flavonoids. Ingredients that help lower blood glucose levels in the body.

Some people who take onion extract have found that their high blood sugar levels are greatly reduced. It has long been claimed that onions and garlic also have many other health benefits as well. Such as garlic that helps lower blood pressure, fights infections, lowers the risk of blood clots, and helps to prevent tumors. It is difficult to overstate just how amazing onions and garlic really are.

There are so many benefits to using onion and garlic that just about anyone would benefit from adding them to their regular diet. Those with diabetes should especially take note and give a try by adding them to their diabetic food diet. Some people shy away from garlic and onions because of their odor. But you really shouldn’t discount them for that reason.

How to Use Onions and Garlic

You will get the best benefits from onions and garlic when it is eaten raw, that might be unappealing and difficult to do but eating them cooked is nearly as beneficial. The most important thing is to eat plenty of both. If possible, add garlic or onions to at least one meal each day, and look for recipes that call for an abundant amount.

If the taste or smell give you trouble, you can find supplements at a health food store. Using onion and garlic supplementation is almost as good as eating them fresh. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider and let them know you are supplementing with onions and garlic.

Onions and garlic have long been used as folk remedies in many cultures, and science is now showing that they are both quite beneficial for diabetes as well as many other diseases and ailments. If you are looking for something to aid in managing diabetes, look no further than onions and garlic.

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