By Parvathy R Krishnan

Several vitamins and minerals are required for proper carbohydrate metabolism. Some others are cardio protective and a few help in blood pressure control. Then there are those that keep your nerves healthy. Since all these health issues are of relevance to the diabetic, it is important that he/she includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains in the diet plan.

Listed below are the fruit and plant sources of these essential micronutrients that every diabetic needs.

Vitamin A (needed for good vision, also a potent anti-oxidant)
Green leafy vegetables, mango, carrots, peaches, apricot, cantaloupe, papaya, pumpkin

Vitamin E (strong anti-oxidant, protects against heart disease)
Green leafy vegetables, whole wheat, nuts and seeds, vegetable oils

Vitamin K (normal blood clotting)
Green leafy vegetables, soybean and other vegetable oils, cabbage, broccoli, whole wheat

Vitamin B1 (normal appetite, good growth, digestion, healthy nerves)
Whole grains, legumes, enriched cereals

Vitamin B2 (growth)
Green leafy vegetables, enriched cereals

Niacin (needed for proper carbohydrate metabolism)
Legumes, peanuts, grains

Vitamin B6 (needed for protein metabolism)
Whole grains, legumes, oats

Folic acid (good blood count)
Green leafy vegetables, legumes, broccoli, oranges, asparagus

Vitamin C (wound healing, anti oxidant, increases iron absorption)
Citrus fruits, green pepper, okra, cabbage, guava, papaya, amla, pineapple, kiwi, tomato, strawberries, melons

Potassium (controls hypertension)
Dates, oranges, bananas, tomatoes, watermelon, apricot, squash

Calcium (good bones, may control hypertension)
Green leafy vegetables, Broccoli, Olives, Oranges, okra, green peas

Chromium (associated with glucose metabolism)
Whole grain cereals, basil, nuts, raw onions

Parvathy R Krishnan, a Nutrition & Dietetics expert, is a member of Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India.

Image: Flickr/creativecommons ariztravel