Include beans & lentils in your diet to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. The soluble fiber in beans & lentils helps stabilize your blood sugar levels.

Canadian researchers analyzed the results of 41 randomized, controlled clinical trials in 2009 and found that people who regularly ate legumes had steadier blood-sugar levels than people who didn't. The high fiber content in legumes slows the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream while providing steady, slow-burning energy.