Fish and Seafood Improve Your Life and HealthPeople who have been diagnosed with diabetes can maintain some control over their condition through a proper diet and regular exercise.

When planning a diet for diabetes, it is important to keep in mind that certain foods that aid in stabalizing blood sugar.

These foods help the diabetic patient keep their diabetes under control. This can result in a decreased need for medication or insulin. In some cases, the patient can experience such improvement in their condition that they no longer need medication or insulin at all.

A complete list of foods for a diabetic to eat includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fiber. All of these types of foods work together to help the body function well, keeping the blood sugar levels stable. Variety helps to ensure that all nutritional needs are met.

A diabetic should eat several selections from each group every day.

Carbohydrates
Grains such as barley, oats and bran deliver a healthy boost of complex carbohydrates. Fruits such as berries, peaches, plums, apples, pears and citrus deliver healthy carbohydrates. Vegetables that include beans, broccoli, spinach, carrots, onions, cabbage and peas also help to balance the diet. These foods provide lots of vitamins and minerals in addition to keeping the diet balanced and healthy.
Diabetics should avoid carbohydrates that come in the form of breakfast cereals, particularly the sugar coated varieties. Sugary fruits like dates, prunes and watermelon should also be avoided, as should potatoes and similar starchy carbohydrates. The starches turn to sugar and this is not good for the diabetic diet.

Proteins
Proteins provide amino acids which aid in building tissue. Protein is an integral component of healing and this is important since diabetics have difficulty when it comes to the healing process. Beans, lentils, millet and soybeans pack a powerful protein punch. Nuts like peanuts, almonds and pine nuts are also chock full of protein. Lean meats are another great source of protein. Free range turkey and chicken without the skin and other lean cuts of meat are excellent sources.
Duck and goose eggs are not good for diabetics. Other types of protein that a diabetic should avoid are the skin from poultry and fatty cuts of meat.

Fats
Fats are important in any diet because the body needs a certain amount of fat to keep the skin supple, to absorb certain vitamins, to cushion organs and control cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in unsaturated fat is preferable. This type of fat is typically found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines (also high in omega-3 fatty acids), seeds and nuts. Diabetics should keep their intake of fat low, even the "healthy" fats. Olive oil, avocados, soybean oil and skim milk are very good sources of healthy fat, but even they should be kept in moderation.
Fats that should be avoided, such as whole milk, butter, cream, cheese and ice cream are not healthy and actually do the reverse of what the healthy fats do.

Fiber
Fiber is an important aspect of any diet, but to a diabetic, it is absolutely vital. It aids in digestion and helps with healthy bowel function. This can help to protect the body against various intestinal disorders like colon cancer. A healthy diet rich in oat bran, oatmeal, peas, barley, fruit, leafy greens and avocados will deliver a good dose of fiber daily. Doctors recommend 5 servings of fiber rich foods every day.

There are many other foods that contribute to a healthy diabetic diet. A little independent research, as well as doctor recommendations can provide an extensive list of foods that are good for helping keep diabetes in check.