List of Foods for Diabetics to Eat; Grains and Starches
| Best Option | Worst Option |
| Whole grain flour | White flour |
| Brown rice | White rice |
| Cereals with whole-grain small amount of sugar substitute | Cereals with little quantity of whole grain and plenty of added sugar |
| Baked potato | Fried Potato like French fries |
| Whole wheat bread | Processed white bread |
List Of Foods For Diabetics To Eat: Vegetables
| Best Option | Worst Option |
| Fresh vegetables, either raw or slightly steamed, grilled, or roasted
|
Canned vegetables which contain plenty of added ingredients
|
| Frozen vegetables, slightly steamed ones | |
| Vegetables cooked in plenty of cheese, sauce or butter | |
| Fresh cucumbers and carrots | Pickles (Specially if diabetic needs to minimize sodium intake otherwise pickle is a good option) |
| Fresh or shredded cabbage like coleslaw | Sauerkraut (Specially if diabetic has a problem of high blood pressure) |
List of Foods for Diabetics to Eat: Fruits
| Best Option | Worst Option |
| Frozen fruit or canned fruit in juice | Canned fruit with sugary syrup |
| Fresh fruit | Fruit rolls |
| Low-sugar or sugar free preserves or jams | Regular jelly, jam and preserves ( or portion size is very kept small) |
| Sugar free applesauce | Highly Sweetened applesauce |
| Pure fruit juice | Fruit punch, fruit juice drinks or sweetened soda |
List of Foods for Diabetics to Eat: Meat Substitutes, Meat and Other Protein
| Best Option | Worst Option |
| Baked, grilled, or broiled meats | Fried meats |
| Cuts of meat that has low fat | Cuts of meat that has higher fat like ribs |
| Stewed or baked beans | Beans prepared with fat |
| Cheese (Low fat) | Regular cheese |
| Turkey or chicken (Skinless breast) | Turkey or chicken with skin |
| Broiled, baked, grilled or steamed fish | Fried fish |
| Tofu slightly sautéed, cooked, or steamed in soup | Fried tofu |
List of Foods for Diabetics to Eat: Dairy
| Best Option | Worst Option |
| Skimmed milk or milk with 1% fat | Whole milk |
| Cottage cheese (Low fat) | Cottage cheese (Regular) |
| Low-fat yogurt | Regular yogurt |
| Sour cream (Non fat) | Sour cream (Regular) |
| Frozen yogurt (low fat) | Regular ice cream |
List of Foods for Diabetics to Eat: Oils, Fats and Sweets
| Best Option | Worst Option |
| Baked snacks, baked corn chips, baked potato chips, corn snacks or puffed rice | Snacks fried in oil or fat, like corn chips, potato chips or pork rinds |
| Vegetable oils, non-hydrogenated margarine and butter spreads | Lard, hydrogenated vegetable shortening, regular butter |
| Low fat mayonnaise
|
Regular mayonnaise
|
| Calorie-controlled popcorn or air popped pop corn | Butter-flavored and stove toped popcorn |
List of Foods for Diabetics to Eat: Beverages
| Best Option for Beverages | Worst Option for Beverages |
| Water, flavored or unflavored sparkling water | Regular sodas |
| Light beer, small quantity of wine | Regular beer, dessert wines, fruity mixed drinks |
| Unsweetened tea (with a slice of lemon) | Sweetened tea |
| Coffee, black or with sugar substitute or low fat milk | Coffee with cream and sugar |
| Home brewed hot chocolate and coffee | Chocolate drinks and flavored coffees |
| Sport drinks | Energy drinks |