By Loren R. Denton
Do you know that fish or seafood is one of the best foods for diabetics? Read on to know more about this.
Everyone needs protein, even people with severe diabetes need this essential macronutrient. However, diabetics should choose their protein sources much more wisely. One of the great sources of protein especially for diabetics is seafood. Protein sources other than seafood-such as pork, beef, and chicken-are packed with unhealthy fat, carbs, and cholesterol. In general, fish is a way healthier option.
One great quality of fish, as food, is its adaptability to take on any flavor. Basically, you can transform fish to any flavor you desire. It's all about the ingredients you use and how you prepare and cook your fish. Once the pangs of hunger kick in, a diabetic should not wait for too long to eat. Apart from a quick snack, the best option is to eat fish mainly because it's fast and easy to prepare.
The ocean is rich in minerals and the creatures that live in it are made of these minerals as well. Therefore, it is only natural to consider that seafood is also rich in essential dietary minerals like selenium, potassium, calcium, iodine, phosphorous, and iron.
There are a lot of delicious yet healthy recipes that you can develop with seafood. In fact, with careful planning, diabetics can strictly consume seafood as their only source of protein in their daily nutrition. The best dishes are seafood mixed with vegetables. Here are some benefits of the seafood diet for individuals with Type1 and Type2 Diabetes mellitus:
* Omega-3 fatty acids. This is an essential nutrient for all folks and even more for people with diabetes. These polyunsaturated fatty acids are particularly high in the fat and oils of fish that live in cold water. This oils help fish survive in a cold environment because it insulates them from the extreme temperature. Omega-3 fatty acids effectively lower Low Density Lipid profile (LDL) cholesterol, which is the undesirable type of cholesterol, while raises the good cholesterol, High Density Lipid profile (HDL) cholesterol.
* Fats from fish also have anti-inflammatory characteristics. The kinds of fish rich in this healthy fat are sardines, mackerel, salmon, and tuna. It is recommended to regularly eat at least two servings of these fishes per week.
* Seafood improves functioning of vital organs especially the kidney which is often found to be problematic among diabetic patients.
* Seafood is a great source of vitamin B, particularly niacin. They also contain fat-soluble vitamin A. Moreover, fatty fish are one of the few food sources of vitamin D.
The best way to prepare fish
As much as possible, avoid frying fish. When you are eating out, many restaurants offer alternatives other than fried fish. Before ordering, make it a point to always ask how the chef prepares the fish they serve. Fried fish is full of bad fats especially when heated at extreme temperatures. Heated oil produce toxic by-products and as a diabetic, you'd like to avoid that.
The best methods of preparing fish for consumption are by grilling, steaming, baking, or pan roasting. If you like to cook, you can experiment and even develop your own style. With fish and other types of seafood, the possibilities are deliciously endless.
Do you know that fish or seafood is one of the best foods for diabetics? Read on to know more about this.
Everyone needs protein, even people with severe diabetes need this essential macronutrient. However, diabetics should choose their protein sources much more wisely. One of the great sources of protein especially for diabetics is seafood. Protein sources other than seafood-such as pork, beef, and chicken-are packed with unhealthy fat, carbs, and cholesterol. In general, fish is a way healthier option.
One great quality of fish, as food, is its adaptability to take on any flavor. Basically, you can transform fish to any flavor you desire. It's all about the ingredients you use and how you prepare and cook your fish. Once the pangs of hunger kick in, a diabetic should not wait for too long to eat. Apart from a quick snack, the best option is to eat fish mainly because it's fast and easy to prepare.
The ocean is rich in minerals and the creatures that live in it are made of these minerals as well. Therefore, it is only natural to consider that seafood is also rich in essential dietary minerals like selenium, potassium, calcium, iodine, phosphorous, and iron.
There are a lot of delicious yet healthy recipes that you can develop with seafood. In fact, with careful planning, diabetics can strictly consume seafood as their only source of protein in their daily nutrition. The best dishes are seafood mixed with vegetables. Here are some benefits of the seafood diet for individuals with Type1 and Type2 Diabetes mellitus:
* Omega-3 fatty acids. This is an essential nutrient for all folks and even more for people with diabetes. These polyunsaturated fatty acids are particularly high in the fat and oils of fish that live in cold water. This oils help fish survive in a cold environment because it insulates them from the extreme temperature. Omega-3 fatty acids effectively lower Low Density Lipid profile (LDL) cholesterol, which is the undesirable type of cholesterol, while raises the good cholesterol, High Density Lipid profile (HDL) cholesterol.
* Fats from fish also have anti-inflammatory characteristics. The kinds of fish rich in this healthy fat are sardines, mackerel, salmon, and tuna. It is recommended to regularly eat at least two servings of these fishes per week.
* Seafood improves functioning of vital organs especially the kidney which is often found to be problematic among diabetic patients.
* Seafood is a great source of vitamin B, particularly niacin. They also contain fat-soluble vitamin A. Moreover, fatty fish are one of the few food sources of vitamin D.
The best way to prepare fish
As much as possible, avoid frying fish. When you are eating out, many restaurants offer alternatives other than fried fish. Before ordering, make it a point to always ask how the chef prepares the fish they serve. Fried fish is full of bad fats especially when heated at extreme temperatures. Heated oil produce toxic by-products and as a diabetic, you'd like to avoid that.
The best methods of preparing fish for consumption are by grilling, steaming, baking, or pan roasting. If you like to cook, you can experiment and even develop your own style. With fish and other types of seafood, the possibilities are deliciously endless.
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