In all honesty, deciding the best foods to consume when you have diabetes can be quite challenging. When you have diabetes, your primary goal must be to keep your blood sugar levels in check. However, it is also vital to consume foods that can help you keep diabetes-related complications at bay. The food you eat can play a critical role in managing and preventing diabetes. So, which are the foods that help control diabetes? Read on to find out.  

1. Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
The bright-colored pumpkin is a fiber-rich food, which has a high antioxidant content. It is an excellent choice to keep your blood sugar levels in control. In countries like Iran and Mexico, pumpkin is widely used as a traditional remedy for diabetes. 

Pumpkin has a high polysaccharides content. It is a form of carb, which is prominently famous for its blood-sugar-regulating abilities. Treatments with pumpkin powders and extracts can significantly lower your blood sugar levels. You can consume pumpkin in both steamed and roasted forms. The pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and healthy fats. This makes them the perfect choice to keep your blood sugar levels in check. 

In a 2018 study, it was found that people who consumed just 65 grams of pumpkin seeds showed a reduction in post-meal blood sugar levels by up to 35 percent. 

2. Avocadoes
Avocadoes contain less than one gram of sugar. It has a high fiber content and only a few carbs in them.  Avocadoes have healthy fats in them, so they are among the best foods that help control diabetes.

Avocadoes can better your overall diet quality and help lower   your body mass index and body weight. Hence, they are the perfect snacking option for people with diabetes, mainly because obesity heightens your chances of developing diabetes. 

3. Most fruits
Beyond melons and pineapples, almost all kinds of fruits have a low GI score of less than 55. Most of them have a high fiber and water content, which balances the natural sugar or fructose present in fruits. 

However, when the fruits ripen, the GI level in them rises. Fruit juices have a significantly higher GI score as juicing will eliminate all the seeds and the fibrous skin from the fruits. 

A study conducted in 2013 found that people who consumed more whole fruits, such as apples, grapes, and blueberries, had a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, drinking fruit juice can aggravate the risk of developing diabetes. 

4. Whole grains
Whole grains have a high fiber content. So, filling up on them can prevent the chance of overeating or consuming the wrong kinds of foods. You can add legumes, such as lentils, peas, and beans, to your diet. Though they have carbs in them, it is their exciting flavors, which keep you satiated.