Eat These 3 Foods for Better Blood Sugar

Rates of diabetes are skyrocketing. But you could lower your risk significantly just by eating more of these three foods: spinach, almonds, and black beans.

Each one is a rich, healthful source of magnesium. And in a study of middle-aged people, those whose diets had the most magnesium were 36 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared with the people who got the least amount of this mineral.

Get More Magnesium
The people at the high-intake end of the study got about 300 milligrams (mg) of magnesium each day. But for optimal RealAge benefits, you should probably aim even higher. RealAge experts Michael Roizen, MD, and Mehmet Oz, MD, recommend that people get 400 mg to 500 mg a day. And you've got lots of easy and delicious food choices to get you there. Enjoy half a cup of spinach, three-quarters of a cup of black beans, or an ounce of almonds for an extra 75–80 mg of magnesium. Other great food sources include halibut, bran cereal, baked potatoes, brown rice, and bananas.

Magic Mineral
Magnesium is essential for healthy blood sugar because magnesium helps your body use carbs for energy. Your body turns carbs into blood sugar, but when magnesium stores are low, your cells can't take up and use blood sugar properly -- a condition also known as insulin resistance. So help keep your energy system running smoothly by eating more magnesium-rich foods. Try these savory, magnesium-rich recipes from EatingWell to get you started:

• Make your taste buds crave spinach with this recipe: Sauteed Spinach with Pine Nuts and Golden Raisins.
• Try something new on taco night with this recipe: Black Bean Quesadillas.
• Satisfy your cravings for salty and sweet with these: Spiced Spanish Almonds.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?!

Bow Ties in Beef Blush Sauce

This pasta dish -- with lots of ground beef, garlic, a creamy sauce and a kick of picante -- is delicious, and great for busy weeknights

 Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 large onion , chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 clove garlic , minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning , crushed
• 1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Picante Sauce
• 1/2 of an 8-ounce package Neufchâtel cheese , cut into cubes
• 3 cup bow tie pasta , cooked without salt and drained (about 4 1/4 cups)

 

Directions

Cook the beef, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is well browned, stirring often to separate meat.  Pour off any fat.

Stir the picante sauce and cheese in the skillet.  

Reduce the heat to low.  

Cook for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted, stirring often.  Stir in the pasta and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

about this recipe

Great for busy weeknights, this pasta dish has it all....lots of ground beef, garlic, and a creamy sauce with a kick of picante...it's delicious!