Honestly, I think that any and all fruit or veggies you grow would good for you so long as you don't add a lot of sugar and fat when you prepare them and eat them in moderation. You may want to try growing the herb stevia as a natural sugar subsitute. Stevia is a lot beter for you than those chemical sugar substitutes. Maybe grow some additional herbs to impart flavor to your cooking instead of sugar.

You are already ahead of a lot of people by growing you own veggies. Happy gardening!

I have read they Chaya is particularly beneficial to people with diabetes. I believe the same is probably true with the usual dark green leafy veggie greens like turnip, kale, spinach etc. Another weird thing I believe I read about was MANGO LEAVES. I went out and found a link.

Gary

Here is a link that might be useful: Mango leaves for diabetes

Be careful with the Chaya. It is poisonous until the white latex sap is boiled out of the leaves.

I guess I need to be a little more specific. There are certain veggies that contain a lot of natural sugars such as tomatoes and carrots. There are also veggies that contain a lot of starch. I was wondering what you would plant in a diabetic garden that will grow well here and that may not be the normal lettce, tomatoes, etc. Linda

sharbear, here is a modified herb and spice list for you. If you have any quesions about what herb or spice to use where just ask me. I utilize tons of herbs and spices in my day to day cooking and sometimes not the normal herb or spice that are on the market shelf. I also have recipes for healing or relaxing baths, teas, etc. Linda

The most common dried herbs that you're likely to have on your shelf:

Bay leaf - primarily used for flavoring soups, stews, and marinades

Basil -- use in tomato dishes, poultry, eggs, and vegetables

Dill - best with seafood, potatoes, chicken, carrots, tomatoes, eggs, and breads

Oregano - use with lamb; pork; beef; chicken; beans; Italian, Greek, and Mexican dishes, tomatoes

Rosemary - best with lamb, poultry, pork, grilled meats, vegetables and potatoes, marinades, breads

Sage - best with bread stuffings, game, vegetables, pork, veal

Tarragon - use with seafood, poultry, veal, fruit, marinades, vinegars

Thyme - best with chicken, veal, vegetables, marinades, soups, Creole dishes

The basic spices that you most likely have:

Black pepper - grind it fresh over most everything

Cayenne - add with care to anything when you want "a little heat'

Cinnamon - use in breads, desserts, chicken, pasta and rice, cheese and egg dishes

Cumin - Mexican, Tex-Mex, Indian dishes (I also like it inside my turkey and in the stuffing. It is great in butternut squash soup)

Curry powder - Indian and Asian dishes, soups, rice salads, meats, poultry

Nutmeg - use in desserts, stews, soups, poultry, beef, pork, beans, lentils, noodles, rice

Paprika - meats, poultry, vegetables, pasta, grains, dried beans, cheese and egg dishes (smoked paprika is even better and offers another taste element along with hot hungarian paprika - try one of them in mac and cheese)

I'm not diabetic but I would avoid the high carb veggies and stick to those with low sugar content such as string and wax beans, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, cucumbers, chard, collards and other such veggies.

If anyone is on Warfarin ( coumadin) be aware that most green leafy veggies contain Vitamin K, which can affect the Coumadin and hinder it's action... so many of the veggies that are low in carbs are on this list, and salads are a problem....... sally

Lookup 'Bitter melon". It is supposed to be great for diabetics. The taste may have to be acquired. I have a diabetic friend who swears by it

I guess my opinion, as I alluded to before, is that even higher glycemic fruit and veggies are not unhealthy. They contain lots of fiber and that helps to buffer any blood sugar spikes and they contain loads of healthy antioxidants. Processed foods that contain high fructose corn syrup and processed grains are your enemies. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to eat fruit and veggies that are a little higher in sugar.

The low carb veggies are the ones greenhouser2 suggested. I think you can sort of detect the higher sugar foods like corn, tomatoes, etc... They taste a little sweeter.

Hi,

How about growing stevia? I grow stevia in a large pot and it's really easy to grow. It seems like pests don't bother stevia leaves at all, so that's another big plus. And I do have lots of pets here bothering most other plants I grow.

Tomas

What about suncholk also called Jeruselem artecholk? The tubors contail inulin(not insulin), which is sopposed to be beneficial for diabetics.

Bump

You are all correct that for the majority most veggetables are healthy for a diabetic. Stachy veggetables are the most tempting to eat but when you are counting carbs they are very limited. I also know that certain veggetables are extremely high in natural sugar and once again are my favorites such as carrots and tomatoes. If I eat two cups of low starch veggies I have met my entire allowance of 20 carbs for that meal. I have been instructed to eat 6-8 small meals per day. I eat lots of salad with buttercrisp lettuce or a variety of lettuce along with the addition of other low carbs such as cucumber, radish, squash and a few tomatoes. I grow and eat green beans, cabbage, greens, squash, bok choy and napa cabbage. I appreciate all the suggestions and yes I do understand that starchy veggetables are part of my diet but if I can have 2 cups of low carb veggetables versus 2/3 cup of starchy veggetables I prefer the former. I woudl appreciate any suggestions for veggetables out of the ordinary that I can try but are not that well known. I use stevia as a store purchased sweetner and I am considering growing my own so thanks for reminding me. I do appreciate everything you offer and suggest. Linda