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Healthy Diet Plans >>  Diabetic Diet >>  Almonds

Almonds For Diabetes


Almonds are commercially available Almonds are drupes that are extremely beneficial for overall health and well being. Almonds have calcium and magnesium and therefore help prevent a number of diseases. A versatile nut, almonds can be added to any kind of savory dish, salads and fruit mix. Get to know about diet for diabetic patient

Type 2 Diabetes:

Almonds for type 2 diabetes is known to be very beneficial because research has shown that consuming almonds after a meal results in a significant reduction in the post meal glucose levels. A spike in the glucose level could aggravate diabetes and lead to cardiovascular diseases.

Soaked almonds for diabetes is also beneficial to maintain healthy cholesterol and blood glucose levels of both post menopausal women, as well as men who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Almonds are recommended for those suffering from type 2 diabetes as it provides magnesium and manganese which diabetics are known to be deficient in.

Insulin And Cholesterol:

Diabetes is a medical condition wherein the individual is known to have a shortfall in the production of insulin or a decrease in the ability of the body to use the insulin hormone. Insulin hormone is essential to allow glucose to be properly utilized by the body cells and then converted into energy required for the various bodily functions. Hence, almonds for diabetic patients are known to be effective because they tend to lower the LDL cholesterol levels, as well as improve the overall insulin sensitivity. Research has shown that the consumption of almonds helps in minimizing resistance to insulin, dull the adverse effects of high blood sugar as well as lower the oxidized LDL cholesterol levels. Almonds are high in healthy monounsaturated fats, protein and fiber. Almond for diabetes is therefore more beneficial because they help fight against obesity. All these components pay a very important role in deciding how the body stores fat, as well as metabolizes it for energy. Almonds are also a rich source of complex carbohydrates which require a considerable amount of energy for the body to break them down. Almonds therefore contribute to weight loss. Get detailed information on health benefits of almond

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is mostly environmental, genetic or autoimmune, whereas type 2 diabetes is known to occur in people who have crossed the age of 40 years. Almonds can be safely consumed by diabetic patients as they are rich in protein, potassium, magnesium, fiber, copper and vitamin E as compared to other nuts.

Almonds help maintain proper metabolism of fats in the body. This is essential because when suffering from diabetes the body is not able to completely synthesize the glucose and fats in the body, thereby resulting in them remaining in the bloodstream. Almonds have also helped in effectively controlling high blood pressure as well as high triglyceride levels. On the other hand pregnant women are also known to suffer from gestational diabetes wherein their glucose or blood sugar levels tend to go very high while they are pregnant. In most cases, after the baby is born the gestational diabetes tends to go away on its own. In such cases of gestational diabetes, almonds are known to be very beneficial as they are rich in fiber and also help in lowering the blood sugar levels. Almonds tend to improve both the glucose and fat profiles on account of an increase in blood plasma vitamin E.
While selecting almonds you should bear in mind that almonds that still have their shells intact are known to have the highest shelf lives. Additionally, almonds should also be uniform in color and should not be shriveled or limp. If the almond smells bitter or sharp rather than nutty and sweet then they are rancid. If you prefer consuming roasted almonds then it is always advisable to consume dry roasted almonds as they are not cooked in oil. Also see diet for gestational diabetes

Almonds are also known to have a high fat content and hence should be stored in air tight containers to prevent them from getting rancid. Almonds if stored in the refrigerator will last for several months and those that are stored in the freezer will last for almost one year. Before including almonds as part of a diet plan for diabetes, you should also ensure that the person is not allergic to tree nuts such as almonds to prevent any health complications.

Submitted on January 16, 2014