For people with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or other conditions that affect blood sugar, diet is an important part of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. While factors such as body weight, activity, stress, and genetics also play a role in maintaining blood sugar, following a healthy diet is critical to controlling blood sugar.

Here are foods that can help regulate your blood sugar.

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts

A reaction between a glucosinolate compound called glucoraphanin and the enzyme myrosinase, both of which are concentrated in broccoli, produces this plant chemical when broccoli is chopped or chewed. Broccoli sprouts are high in glucosinolates like glucoraphanin, which have been shown to help people with type 2 diabetes improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels when taken as a powder or extract.

Seafood

Seafood, comprising fish and shellfish, use to offer an appreciated resource of healthy fats, protein, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that can help control blood sugar levels.

Protein is essential for controlling blood sugar. It helps to slow down digestion and prevents spikes in blood sugar after meals, in addition to increasing the feeling of fullness. 

Nuts and nut butter

Research has revealed that eating nuts might be a real way of helping control blood sugar levels. A study of 25 people with type 2 diabetes showed that consuming peanuts and almonds throughout the day as part of a low-carbohydrate diet reduced fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels

Okra

Okra is a fruit that is frequently consumed as a vegetable. Polysaccharides and flavonoid antioxidants are abundant in it, which help to lower blood sugar levels. The main polysaccharide in okra, rhamnogalacturonan, has been identified as a potent anti-diabetic compound.

Flax seeds

Flaxseeds are rich in fiber and healthy fats and are well known for their health benefits. Specifically, flax seeds can help lower blood sugar levels. In a study of researchers with type 2 diabetes, people consumed 200 grams (7 ounces) of 2.5%-fat yogurt containing 30 grams (1 ounce) of flaxseed per day knowledgeable important reductions in HbA1c, compared to those who had plain yogurt.

Chia Seeds

Eating chia seeds can help benefit blood sugar control. Researches have related consumption of chia seeds to decreases in blood sugar levels and developments in insulin sensitivity. 

Berries

Numerous studies have linked wild fruit intake to improved blood sugar control. Berries are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and are an excellent choice for people with blood sugar control issues.

If you have pre-diabetes, diabetes, or want to lower your risk of developing these diseases, including the foods to lower A1C listed above as part of a nutritious diet can help lower your blood sugar levels.

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