A universal list of foods for diabetics to eat does not exist. However, the diabetic patient can refer to a list of healthy choices from the dietary food groups. Diabetic patients should select healthy choices from each of the food groups.

Some food choices can be detrimental to the stability of the diabetic patients blood glucose levels. Simple sugars and refined starches can cause sudden, drastic spikes in blood glucose levels. Therefore, these foods should be used cautiously.

Proteins are a healthy part of a diabetic diet. The best choices for a list of foods for diabetics to eat would be lean meat and beans. Choosing lean meat is especially important for diabetic patients who need to lose weight to gain better control of their blood glucose levels.

Though refined starches, such as white bread and white pasta, can cause blood sugar spikes, whole grain breads, pasta, and cereal are healthy choices for diabetic patients. The blood sugar spike from refined starches can often be lessened by eating protein with the refined starch.

Like protein, low-fat dairy products are the healthiest choices for a list of foods for diabetics to eat. Low-fat cheese and low-fat yogurt can be a healthy part of the diabetic patients diet. Soy milk, some yogurt, and some cheeses can be important components of a diet for a diabetic patient who is lactose intolerant.

Some diabetic patients may avoid eating fruit out of fear of the natural sugars in fruit. Fruit can cause blood sugar levels to rise. But if eaten in proper portion sizes, fruit is an essential component of diabetic diets.

Vegetables are often seen as boring or bland, but they can actually be used to create variety in a diabetic diet. Diabetics should avoid eating the same vegetables and try something new. A new vegetable recipe can help reduce a sense of limitation in following diabetic diets.

Not all fats are the same. When selecting foods from the fats food group, olive oil and low-fat salad dressing are considered better than some other fatty foods.