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.

Diabetics are typically told not to eat any white foods. However, one exception is apples. They can help reduce the body’s need for insulin and they have a lot of pectin, which helps the body to detoxify. This makes apples an especially good food for diabetics.

Pomegranates are a very popular fruit in the Middle East and the Balkan region of Europe. This is also a fruit which has been finding more popularity in the U.S. and with good reason - studies have shown the sugar that this fruit contains does not have an effect on blood sugar levels. Additionally, diabetics who drank 6 ounces of pomegranate juice daily were found to have a lower risk of 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 spice that goes along way in helping diabetics keep things in check. Garlic has been shown to have a significant impact on lowering blood sugar levels.

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.

These three vegetable have plenty of fiber and low carbohydrate content. This makes them great vegetables for the diet of a diabetic. While it’s OK to have potatoes, corn and peas every so often, these vegetables have a lot of starch (a carbohydrate). Be sure to load up on green leafy vegetables while keeping starchy ones to a minimum.

The must have in a diabetic diet: Protein.

Diabetics should have a diet which is between 12% and 20% protein. If you have snacks, especially before bed, make sure that they are proteins so as to maintain a constant blood sugar level overnight.

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

There you have ten must-have foods for diabetics. These foods will help keep your blood sugar levels at a consistent level which will help decrease the need for medication and lower your risks for other health conditions associated with diabetes.