How can I change my diet to lower diabetes risk?

By now it’s no surprise that diabetes and diet are closely related. These three simple diet tweaks may help you dodge diabetes: Eat more leafy greens, choose fat-free yogurt, and add nuts and seeds to your diet. Each of these changes may help lower your risk of diabetes anywhere from 10 to 20%.

The Greens Scene - In a study, eating just one serving per day decreased diabetes risk by almost 10%. So stock up on spinach, arugula, romaine, and kale.

Fat-Free-for-All - If there’s a link between diabetes and diet, then keeping your overall fat intake to under 30% of your total daily calories will do your pancreas big favors. According to research, it helps improve pancreatic function, and because the pancreas produces insulin, good pancreatic function is key to controlling diabetes risk.

Nuts About Seeds - In a study, middle-aged and older adults who consumed the most alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) -- a beneficial fat found in walnuts and flaxseeds -- lowered their risk of developing diabetes by 20%. In animal studies, higher levels of ALA have also been linked to improved insulin sensitivity and better regulation of glucose levels.

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