According to a rather shocking figure reported by Healthline, more than one in every ten adults age 20 and older are diagnosed with diabetes. This number only rises when you begin to look at sample groups of senior citizens aged 65 and older, jumping up to about one in four! While this metabolic disease can be pervasive and more than troubling, with the proper nutrition made available, blood sugar can be regulated and risk of further health complications can be diminished.

That being said, with the start of November we see the advent of American Diabetes Month! We’d like to do our part in raising awareness by offering proper dietary practices for those stricken with the disease. Here are three super foods you can work into your senior’s diet that can help both regulate blood sugar and lower risk for secondary complications that come pre-packaged with diabetes!

Fatty Fish

In a previous post of ours about proper senior nutrition, we praised the miraculous superfood salmon for its abundance of omega 3 fatty acids. Time to revitalize your love for this dietary staple anew as we also see it deliver some stunning benefits for those suffering from diabetes!

Fatty fish such as mackerel, halibut, and, of course, salmon are all wonderful sources of omega 3 fats that are known for diminishing risk for heart disease! In addition, these acids can also lower the rate at which macular degeneration occurs in seniors. Diabetes is known for increasing one’s likelihood of both heart and eye complications and so with this simple addition to your senior’s nutrition, you’re hitting two birds with one filet!

Leafy Greens

It doesn’t matter how old you are or how healthy you may be, eating your veggies is always a good idea. As if we didn’t already have enough reason to enjoy these fibrous and flavorful greens, making them part of the starting line up for your senior’s nutrition is known to help both prevent and combat a number of diabetic complications!

Leafy vegetables like kale and spinach are filled with vitamin C that reduces inflammation and also aid in the absorption of iron from proteins like the above mentioned fatty fish. Not only that, they’re low calorie and low carb which ensures that no spike in blood sugar levels follow their consumption. Finally, they are also plentiful in antioxidants which protect eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts, both common side ailments that come along with diabetes, especially in seniors.

Turmeric

Fish and greens are usually a great recommendation for any diet or nutritional consideration, but turmeric often goes on woefully overlooked! This golden colored spice does more than infuse your favorite meals with an earthy and mouthwatering flavor, it also affords a heap of benefits for your senior, diabetes or no!

The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin and delivers a number or pros such as lowering inflammation and blood sugar levels while also promoting heart health! If you plan on making this addition to your senior’s anti-diabetes diet plan, make sure you work in some black pepper as well. The piperine found in black pepper can help increase curcumin absorption by as much as 2000%!

Conclusion

Diabetes is more common than most believe and anyone, regardless of age, can be affected if the proper dietary considerations are not implemented. Keep these three foods in mind and do some research of your own to ensure all your bases are covered when eating to alleviate the effects of diabetes on your senior.