In Loving Memory of Cher Lee
With a prevalence of over 30 million people with diabetesA metabolic disease in which the body's inability to produce... and 86 million people living with prediabetes in the United States(1), most of us will be affected by this disease, whether you have diabetes yourself or know of someone who has it. It is the 7th leading cause of death in the world, but if not kept in check can lead to even more devastating ailments, such as heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the world(2). I compiled a list of common fruits and vegetables you should include in your diet to help prevent diabetesA metabolic disease in which the body's inability to produce....
1.) Carrots have a neutral thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ... (read about the thermal nature of foods here) and sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor (read about the five flavors of food here). It is a chi or (qiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo...) tonicA substance that stimulates and increases body tone, chi, or... and benefits almost every organ system, but especially the liver, lungs, and stomach. It is a blood sugarConcentration of glucose in the blood. stabilizer, treats indigestion associated with heartburn and increased stomach acid, and can prevent constipation. In addition, carrots are the most abundant source of beta-caroteneThe orange-yellow plant pigment that is converted to Vitamin..., the pre-cursor of VitaminAny of a group of organic compounds that are essential for n... A, which improves night vision and prevents cataracts.
Caution: Carrot juice is sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... and overconsumption may weaken kidneys. Don’t drink more than four cups of juice daily.
2) SweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... potatoes and yams have a coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ..., sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor, and strengthen the spleen-pancreas and digestive system. It strengthens the kidneys and is also a good source of VitaminAny of a group of organic compounds that are essential for n... A, with the darkest orange flesh colored yams having the highest amount of beta-caroteneThe orange-yellow plant pigment that is converted to Vitamin.... They help stabilize blood sugarConcentration of glucose in the blood. levels, like the carrot, but also improve our body’s response to insulinA hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerha.... It tonifies your chi, blood, and yin (read about the basics of yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... and yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... theory here).
Caution: Overeating sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... potato can lead to indigestion and abdominal swelling.
3) Artichokes have a sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor and are an excellent source of inulinNot to be confused with insulin, inulin is a group of natura..., reducing the body’s need for insulinA hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerha.... It is a blood and yin tonicImproves and maintains our deepest reserves of subtle nouris..., making them helpful in anemia, and also strengthen the liver and gallbladder. It contains the phytochemical cynarin, increasing bileA thick, bitter fluid stored in the gallbladder and secreted... production and aiding digestive diseases caused by inadequate fat assimilation. Cynarin also lowers blood cholesterolA steroid alcohol found in most body tissues, including the ... levels and improves blood-clotting time. Artichokes are also a good source of VitaminAny of a group of organic compounds that are essential for n... C.
4) Asparagus have a slightly coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ... and bitterOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine. It is yin, coo..., mildly pungentSpicy, one of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yan... flavor. It is good for the kidneys, lungs, and spleen. Asparagus clear excessSigns of general excess: Yang symptoms - person is robust, e... heat, toxins, and water in your body, hence also making it a great diureticThe property of increasing urination through action upon the... since it has asparagine in it, which gives it its characteristic urine odor. Like artichokes, asparagus also contain inulinNot to be confused with insulin, inulin is a group of natura.... It is also helpful in cardiovascular issues such as high cholesterolA steroid alcohol found in most body tissues, including the ..., high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
Caution: Too much asparagus can also irritate the kidneys.
5) Green beans, or haricot vert have a neutral thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ... with a sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor, supporting the spleen and kidneys. They increase the yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... of the body (e.g., fluids and hormonesA substance produced in the endocrine glands and transported...). They have diureticThe property of increasing urination through action upon the... properties and help treat diabetesA metabolic disease in which the body's inability to produce.... Fresh beans have VitaminAny of a group of organic compounds that are essential for n... A, B-complex, calciumThe most abundant mineral in the human body. 99% is stored... and potassium.
6) Pears have a coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ... with sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... and slightly sourOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor. It nourishes the lungs, eliminating mucusA slippery, sticky, thick secretion produced by, and coverin... and can quench thirst. Pears have been used to treat diabetesA metabolic disease in which the body's inability to produce..., cough, and constipation.
Caution: Don’t eat pears when you feel internally cold or have diarrhea.
7) Purple plums are slightly coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat., while yellow plums are neutral. They have a sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... and sourOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor and support the bladder, liver, large intestine, stomach, and spleen. They are helpful in digestion, quench thirst, and relieve constipation and dehydration.
Caution: Eat with caution if you have sensitive digestion, stomach ulcers, or inflammation. They have a high content of oxalic acid, so eat in moderation to prevent depleting calciumThe most abundant mineral in the human body. 99% is stored... in your body.
8) Coconuts have a warmingA substance that increases the body’s temperature by dispe... thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ..., sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor, and eliminate wind (one of the external pathogenic factors that I will discuss later). It is hemostatic (stops bleeding) and strengthens the heart. It greatly quenches thirst and builds yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... fluids in the body. It is helpful in eliminating edemaAbnormal accumulation of serum fluid in an organ or body cav... from diabetesA metabolic disease in which the body's inability to produce... and heart problems. It is fairly high in iron65% of the iron in the body is bound up in hemoglobin molecu..., phosphorus, and zinc.
9) Lemons and limes have a coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ... and very sourOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... flavor. It helps the liver and can increase bileA thick, bitter fluid stored in the gallbladder and secreted... formation, increase mineral absorption, promote weight loss, and treat high blood pressure. It increases fluid production in the body, thereby treating the fluid deficiency seen in cramps and diabetesA metabolic disease in which the body's inability to produce.... Lemons are high in VitaminAny of a group of organic compounds that are essential for n... C, VitaminAny of a group of organic compounds that are essential for n... B1, and potassium. I will have to dedicate a post to lemons and limes later because of its many healing properties.
Caution: Use with caution if you have too much stomach acid or ulcers.
10) Blueberries are coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. and support the lung, spleen, and stomach. They are an excellent antioxidant helping to slow cell deterioration. I included blueberries in this list because it supports eye function and protects against macular degeneration. Ocular issues are common sequelae seen in diabetics, a microvasular disease. Blueberries also nurture the kidney’s yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... function, which is often depleted in diabetics.
Start eating more of these fruits and veggies!
In health and wellness,
Dr Elain
References:
(1) Current Diabetes Statistics
(2) World Health Organization (WHO) – The top 10 causes of death
Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford
The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood