November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to focus on prevention and control of a disease that affects more than 16 million Americans. Diet is considered the single most important factor in diabetes control. Beans are an extremely beneficial component in the diabetes diet because they are high in dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates, and low in fat and sodium. A high-fiber diet helps control diabetes and maintain healthy blood glucose levels. In addition, beans are digested more slowly than simple carbohydrates - a good way to help control blood sugar levels.
Beans are a concentrated source of nutrients in a low-calorie package.
And you want to choose foods that are filling and satisfying. Because beans are slow to digest, they are good for appetite control. They come in many shapes, sizes and varieties. With beans, you can avoid the feeling of deprivation that often results from a strict diet. There are as many recipes as there are beans, giving people with diabetes a number of ways to enjoy beans.