Studies suggest that eating nuts such as almonds, walnuts, peanuts may help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Here are 5 best nuts for diabetics.
New Delhi: Your lifestyle, particularly diet, can have a huge impact on your overall health when you have diabetes. For instance, nuts are a great food choice for people with type 2 diabetes as they are packed with nutrients that may help keep blood sugar controlled, promote heart health, and even aid weight loss.
Nuts are considered a super snack food option for diabetics because they are low in carbs but high in nutrients such as protein, fibre, healthy fats, and antioxidants. However, salted nuts can increase the risk of complications associated with wit diabetes. Here are five of the best nuts for people with diabetes.
Almonds
One study published in April 2011 in the journal Metabolism suggested that almonds can help control blood glucose levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease for people with type 2 diabetes. Fibre-rich foods like almonds help regulate blood sugar, keep you feeling full for longer and are good for digestion - all of which may aid weight loss.
Walnuts
A 2013 study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that eating walnuts may help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that walnuts can help you lose weight by promoting feelings of fullness and preventing unhealthy food cravings. Despite being high in calories, a study in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care also showed that walnuts could help improve ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol without negatively affecting body weight or composition.
Peanuts
A healthy food choice for diabetes, peanuts are packed full of protein, fibre, good fats, and various essential nutrients. A 2013 study found that adding peanuts to cereal helped control blood sugar levels and appetite in obese women, indicating that they can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and aid weight loss.
Cashews
A 12-week study found that participants with type 2 diabetes who were given a cashew-rich diet had lower blood pressure and higher levels of HDL cholesterol. The cashews also did not affect participants’ blood glucose levels or weight.
Pistachios
Research shows that eating pistachios on a regular basis might lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Packed with fibre, protein and beneficial fats, a few studies found that pistachios improved blood sugar in people with diabetes.
The bottom line is, nuts are a great addition to a healthy diet. They can provide a number of health benefits when taken in appropriate amounts.