Banana Foods and Nutritional Information of Bananas

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and not a disease. It is mainly due to the deficiency of insulin hormone, which is secreted by the pancreatic islets. Deficiency of the same or improper functioning causes an increase in the blood glucose levels. A healthy diet with good lifestyle modifications and regular workout helps to overcome the same. High fiber and low fat foods with moderate carbohydrate and protein is helpful. Increase the usual three meal pattern to six meals or three meals and three snacks.

Eat healthy to achieve a good control over blood glucose levels. Limit the intake of starch and opt for complex carbohydrates. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereals and legumes are a good source of complex carbohydrates. Vegetables provide roughage, which aids in satiety and helps to decrease the intake of other starchy foods. Fruits are a good source of phytonutrients and antioxidants. These antioxidants help as a scavenger for free radicals and thus decrease the risk of other degenerative diseases, such as cataract, asthma and osteoporosis.

Banana and Diabetes Diet

Bananas supply high levels of carbohydrates and are not recommended by physicians. Banana flower and stem are allowed. Other foods that re not considered are tinned and preserved foods, refined sugar, honey, nuts, and beverages and so on. Fruits such as grapes, jackfruit, pineapple, mango and chickoo are high glycaemic index fruits. Vegetables such as tapioca, sweet potatoes, colocasia and yam are taken in minimal quantities. Other orange and yellow veggies with green leafy vegetables are taken in large quantities. Timely eating is helpful. Avoid feasting or fasting. Steaming, poaching, grilling and boiling are better methods of cooking, in comparison to deep fat frying.

Do not skip meals, as it increases the hunger pangs, by the end of the day. This in turn results in bingeing on junk foods. Avoid carbonated beverages, as they increase the calories of a meal. Opt for unsaturated fats, such as peanut, canola and olive oil, apart from safflower and sunflower oil. Saturated fats such as butter, mayonnaise, clarified butter and lard are not recommended. Fried and processed foods supply high levels of salt and fat, which are not advisable for diabetics. Regular workout for thirty minutes, on an everyday basis proves beneficial. At least five days of active exercise helps a great deal. Lifestyle modifications, such as abstinence from smoking and alcoholic beverages prove effective in blood glucose control. Yoga and meditation are alternative therapies, which are helpful in curbing the glucose levels.