You Can Actually Cut Your Diabetes Risk by Eating These Foods

From mydomainehome.com.au

One thing we know for sure in 2017: How you eat matters. Science has shown that your diet affects everything from your mood to physical health and even your athletic performance. Still, even though there’s an extremely clear link between what we put in our bodies and our overall wellness, lots of people skimp on healthy foods. One of the biggest diet-related ailments affecting our population? Diabetes. In the United States alone, 26 million people have it, and another 79 million have prediabetes, meaning there’s a pretty good chance they’re going to get it. Though type 1 diabetes is thought to be an autoimmune illness, type 2 can largely be treated through diet and exercise, and whether or not you develop it is partially within your control.
“A diet rich in fibre from complex carbohydrates and vegetables as well as lean proteins such as fish, chicken, and lean cuts of beef” is ideal to minimise your risk, says Vanessa Rissetto, RD. Lisa Davis, PhD, chief nutrition officer at Terra’s Kitchen, agrees, explaining, “The key to improving and maintaining optimal health stems from eating a balanced, unprocessed whole foods diet focused on lean protein (fish, eggs), healthy fats (extra virgin olive oil, avocados), vegetables (especially leafy greens), fruit, legumes, and whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa. All of these foods, plus herbs and spices like cinnamon, are found as part of the Mediterranean style diet,” she says.

One last thing you should pay attention to aside from the actual food you’re eating is how much of it is on your plate. “The most important thing is the serving sizes,” says Rissetto. “People have this misconception that if they are eating a ‘healthy’ food, then they can have as much of it as they want, and this, unfortunately, is where problems arise. Brown rice is healthy, but the serving size is 1/3 cup, avocados are healthy but the serving size is 1/4 of an avocado.” In other words, paying attention what and how much you’re putting in your body is crucial.

Whether you are actively trying to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, already have it, or just want to eat healthily, these recipes should be your new go-to. Consider this week's meal plan sorted. 

Monday

The Meal: Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Harvest Bowls
The Recipe: Brussels sprouts, carrots, and quinoa come together to create a savoury and seriously healthy weeknight meal. Make a big batch Monday night and eat it for lunch in the week to come.
The Wow Factor: Sometimes vegetable and grain bowls can be a bit bland, but this recipe uses rosemary and tahini to add a hit of perfectly balanced flavour.

Tuesday

The Meal: Three Grain and Kale Salad With a Simple Lemon Vinaigrette
The Recipe: This salad packs a major nutritional punch with three different types of grains and a hearty serving of veggies. It serves four to six people, and only has one cup of complex carbs total, meaning you won’t overeat if you stick to the serving guidelines.
The Wow Factor: The lemony dressing featured in this salad is totally tasty, but it’s also super light. Sub EVOO for coconut oil if you’re adhering to the Mediterranean style diet.

 Wednesday

The Meal: Maple Mustard Grilled Chicken

The Recipe: Served over a bed of zucchini noodles (or any veggie of your choice, really), this delicious and creative method of cooking chicken will give you the mid-week pick-me-up you need.
The Wow Factor: This protein-rich recipe works for most eating styles since it’s both gluten-free and Paleo-friendly.

Thursday

The Meal: Skinny Slow Cooker Kale and Turkey Meatball Soup

The Recipe: When you’re trying to eat well, a slow cooker will be your BFF, since it turns basic vegetable and meat dishes into seriously savoury masterpieces. With a hearty dose of greens and lean protein, you won’t be disappointed by this dish.
The Wow Factor: This recipe makes eight servings, meaning you can eat it all week long. Plus, the bite-size version of meatballs will help with portion control.

 Friday

The Meal: Shrimp Fajita Pan Dinner

The Recipe: This is the “cleanest” Mexican food you’ll ever eat, period. With its short ingredients list, you know exactly what’s going into your body when you make this meal, and it’s all good stuff.
The Wow Factor: Pan dinners are a beginner cooking favourite since all you have to do is prep the ingredients, season, and bake.

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