Girl seating on the bench in the woods and eating salad

The best vegetables for diabetics

Here are some true health superheroes.

MARCH 27, 2023 10:55 AM EDTMAR 27, 2023, 10:55 AM EDT

Vegetables should be a big part of everyone’s diet, but for diabetics they are a really wonderful ally. That’s because they’re naturally low in the sugars and refined carbohydrates that sufferers must avoid, but high in fiber, which fills us up and helps to regulate blood glucose levels. And of course, they’re packed with vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients.

We’ve all heard the advice that we should “eat the rainbow”, including a wide variety of different coloured veg in our meals. That said, some vegetables are especially recommended for diabetics because they combine a super-low carbohydrate count with super-high levels of nutrients, including those that have specifically been shown to promote healthy glucose metabolism.

Broccoli

Broccoli provides vitamins A, C and K as well as iron.

Asparagus

Green asparagus contains vitamins A and K.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers provide vitamin K and C.

Cabbage

Cabbage is a great source of vitamin B6, antioxidants, potassium, calcium and manganese.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in vitamin K, folate and beta-carotene, which are important for eye health, often an issue for diabetics. It is also a surprisingly good source of protein.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is high in vitamin C, potassium and folic acid.

Brussels

Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin A and folic acid.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a superfood, whose host of nutrients include powerful disease-fighting antioxidants, including the lycopene that gives them their colour.