Source: Canva Pro
Even if you have diabetes, you can go on eating mouth-watering meat. However, not all meat options are for you. Some types of meat, if eaten without precaution, can lead to weight gain, higher blood sugar levels, and many more health issues. So, you need to keep your diet moderate. You don’t need to scare yourself as you still have meat options, Check here best meats for diabetics
You can include seafood, turkey, and lean meats without worrying about unbalanced cholesterol levels, calories, and fats. Still, feeling blind about your meat choices? Stay with us as we will explore the 4 best meat options you can include in your diet, even if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes.
So, let’s delve into the details of meats diabetics can eat.
What are the Best Meats Diabetics Can Eat?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report revealed that approximately 37.3 million people have diabetes. For all of them, choosing the right meats is essential to maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet.
Here is a note on each of the meat types that are safe to eat for diabetic patients:
Lean Meats for Diabetics
Lean meats are the best option when selecting meats for a diabetic-friendly diet. That’s because they are low in saturated fats and high in protein, making them an excellent choice for managing blood sugar levels.
Examples of lean meats that are diabetic-friendly include:
- Chicken Breast
- Turkey Breast
Let’s discuss them in detail now.
1. Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is an excellent choice for people with diabetes due to its low saturated fat and high protein content. You must know that protein is essential for building and repairing tissues and can help to maintain a feeling of fullness and satisfaction for extended durations.
Moreover, it’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6 and phosphorus. The American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetics consume 0.8 grams of protein/kg of the weight of the body.
Nutritional Facts
A 3 oz serving of skinless, boneless chicken breast contains approximately 140 calories, 3 g of fat, and 26 g of protein. It’s important to choose healthy cooking methods like baking, grilling, or broiling rather than frying to keep the calorie count low.
2. Turkey Breast
Similar to chicken breast, turkey is another lean diabetes meat that’s ideal for a diabetic-friendly diet. It’s also low in saturated fat and high in protein, making it an excellent choice for diabetics.
Nutritional Facts
Let us tell you that a 3 oz serving of skinless, boneless turkey breast contains approximately 120 calories, 1 g of fat, and 26 g of protein.
Turkey breast can be cooked in many of the same ways as chicken breast, making it a versatile choice for a variety of dishes.
Fish and Seafood
Yes, fish and seafood are also considered the best choice for diabetics that you can add to the diet. Some of the best fish for diabetics include:
- Salmon
- Tuna
Here’s the detail of these two:
1. Salmon
Let us tell you that salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which improves heart health and reduces inflammation. And reduced inflammation will ultimately result in a balanced blood sugar level.
Nutritional Facts
A 3 oz serving of salmon contains approximately 120 calories, 4 g of fat, and 17 g of protein. It’s crucial to choose wild-caught salmon, when possible, as farmed salmon may contain higher levels of contaminants.
2. Tuna
Tuna is another seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated fat, making it a matchless option for diabetics.
Nutritional Facts
A 3 oz serving of canned light tuna in water contains approximately 100 calories, 1 g of fat, and 22 g of protein. You can enjoy Tuna in various dishes, from salads to sandwiches to casseroles.
Meats Diabetics Should Avoid
While lean meats are excellent choices for diabetics, there are still meat types that you should avoid. These types are high in saturated fats and can raise blood sugar levels. Do you want to know which meats fall in this category? Have a glance at the below-mentioned points and you’ll get the answer to your question:
- Processed Meats (sausages, salami, frankfurter, hot dogs, corned beef, and luncheon meat)
- Fatty Cuts of Meat (Pork belly, Pork shoulder flap, Beef ribeye, Beef short-ribs)
- Fried Meats (fried chicken or fried fish)
Tips for Incorporating Diabetic-Friendly Meats into Your Diet
Now that you know which meats for diabetics are best so, here are some tips for incorporating them into your diet:
- Plan your meals in advance
- Read labels
- Use healthy cooking methods
- Control your portion sizes
Final Thoughts
The above-mentioned meats for diabetics are healthy, nutritious, and harmless. You can always enjoy meat, but care should be taken about which type of meat should be a part of your diet. Lean meats for diabetics are healthy and boost immunity giving you power, strength, and resilience against diabetes. However, in cases where you’re uncertain about the outcomes, you should contact a nutritionist to reschedule your diet.