If you or a loved one receives a diagnosis of diabetes, this is nothing less than a complete life change. Diabetics must be mindful of their blood sugar levels to keep their disease in check. One of the most important parts of doing so is watching what you eat. You want to ensure that you are getting your fruits and vegetables, along with plenty of lean protein. Some foods can be added to your diet to help keep diabetes under control - keep reading to see ten foods which can be helpful to diabetics.

Two of the best fruits: Apples and Pomegranates.

Generally speaking avoiding anything white is preferable when you are diabetic. Apples have been proven to be very effective in treating diabetes due to the amount of pectin they have in them. The pectin helps the body detoxify itself and get rid of many harmful toxins and it helps decrease the amount of insulin the body requires.

Pomegranates are very popular in the Middle East, and they have been getting a lot of attention here in the states lately. Part of that attention is due to the fact that researchers have found that the sugar in the Pomegranates does not affect the blood sugar. Another benefit found in the study is that diabetics who drank 6oz of pomegranate juice a day for 3 months decreased their risk for atherosclerosis.

A couple of spices: Cinnamon and Garlic.

Cinnamon is another diabetic wonder food. This spice contains MHCP which gives fat cells new life, helping them respond to insulin and help get rid of the glucose in the blood.

Garlic is another food which has been shown to have a positive impact on keeping diabetes under control. Garlic can lowed blood sugar levels measurably.

Best breakfast food: Oatmeal.

While diabetics are often cautioned about carb intake, oatmeal is a very good food for any diabetic, provided it is unsweetened. Oatmeal has plenty of fiber and takes a while to digest, meaning that it will not cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels. This stabilizing effect on blood sugar is persistent with regular oatmeal consumption - if you are diabetic, this should be your first breakfast choice.

The best vegetables: Green beans, Spinach and Broccoli.

All three of these vegetables are high in fiber and they are low in carbs. This makes them the most ideal vegetables for you. You can still enjoy the occasional potato, corn and peas but keep in mind that these vegetables are high in starch, which is a carb. So make sure that you have a nice balance but favor the less starchy veggies as often as possible.

The must have in a diabetic diet: Protein.

The ideal diet for diabetics should contain somewhere between 12% and 20% protein. If you tend to have a snack before bed, it should definitely be protein. This will help your blood sugar level to stay consistent throughout the night.

Opt for lean protein sources such as fish, poultry, nuts, soy and lentils. These are the optimum sources of protein.

These are ten foods which every diabetic should incorporate into their diet. These foods all assist in keeping blood sugar levels under control; which means you'll need less medication - and you'll be reducing the risk for many of the health problems which commonly accompany diabetes.