Diabetic Food List

The diabetic food list can be best understood when items are classified in a few specific categories instead of one long, seemingly infinite list. For this reason, the following information offers appropriate food items for a diabetic diet in a comprehensive, easy to follow fashion. Please feel free to add any diabetic foods that you enjoy or are aware of that are not present on this list. Also, be sure to check out our varied list of diabetic recipes.

General Foods

While following a diabetic menu may appear complicated at first, it gets easier with time. As your knowledge and understanding grows about the mechanism of diabetes in the body, food selection will be a breeze. Some standard foods include:

• Whole grains

Bran

Oats

Wheat – including wheat germ

Bulgur

Brown rice

Rye

Quinoa

• Beans and Legumes

Chickpeas

Kidney beans

Lentils

Navy beans

Soy beans

Black-eyed peas

Lima beans

• Vegetables

Broccoli

Cauliflower

String beans

Asparagus

Brussel sprouts

Avocado

Collards

Peppers

Radishes

Tomatoes

Turnips

Squash

Dill pickles

• Fruits

Apples

Bananas

Pears

Strawberries

Blueberries

Peaches

Plums

Oranges

Tangerines

• Dairy

Cottage cheese

Reduced-fat milk

Reduced-fat yogurt

Reduced-fat cheeses

Reduced-fat sour cream

Sugar-free ice cream/frozen yogurt

• Eggs

• Meats

Chicken breast

Turkey breast

Lean cut beef

Lean pork

Bacon (pork or turkey)

Sausage (pork, beef or turkey)

• Fish & Shellfish

Cod

Flounder

Salmon

Tuna

Sole

Shrimp

Lobster

Clams

In the case of vegetables and fruits, all varieties are suitable for a diabetic meal plan. The most important key to remember is that the slower the digestion of the fruit or vegetable, the better. Two ways to ensure this is to have adequate fiber, such as eating the peel of the apple, and to combine the food item with a small amount of protein and/or fat. There is much more information on this piece of the diabetic puzzle at Basics of the Diabetic Diet.

Processed Foods

While whole foods are encouraged for a healthy eating plan, whether diabetic or not, it is sometimes convenient and necessary to rely on processed food products. Such items include frozen entrees, prepared salads, and canned soups. The following items are popular selections:

• Soups

Minestrone

Barley

Lentil

Vegetarian (with beans)

Chicken vegetable

Bouillon

• Prepared Salads

Egg salad

Tuna salad

Chicken salad

Bean salad

Vegetable tossed salad

• Candy/Desserts

Sugar-free gelatin

Sugar-free hard candies

Sugar-free chocolate

Sugar-free gum

• Condiments

Sugar-free jams/jellies

Mayonnaise

Mustard

Low sugar salad dressings

Salsa

Creamer

Margarine

Butter

Vinegar

• Beverages

Mineral water

Club soda

Diet soft drinks (sugar-free)

Diet drink mixes (sugar-free ice tea, lemonade, fruit juice)

Coffee

Tea

Seasonings and Herbs

There are no restrictions to the amount or type of fresh or dried herbs that can be used. In fact, they are a beneficial alternative to the sugar that may be missing from a recipe. Flavored extracts, garlic, hot sauce, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce are suitable seasonings to use as well.

Sugar Alternatives

Besides the packaged sugar-free items listed above, you can create your own sweet treats with the use of the following sweeteners instead of cane sugar with its high carbohydrate content:

• Sucralose (Splenda brand)

• Aspartame (Equal brand)

• Acesulfame K (Sweet One brand)

• Saccharin (Sweet n Low brand)

• Stevia (herb)

It is most healthful to use these sweeteners sparingly. Most importantly, since aspartame contains phenylalanine, individuals with phenylketonuria need to avoid altogether.

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