Summertime can be good for your blood sugar. Just make sure you pack your picnic basket with whole-wheat buns, brown-rice salad, and an oat-berry crumble.

With whole-grain foods like these, it will be smooth sailing. Studies show that nutrient- and fiber-dense whole grains help keep blood sugar levels quite steady.

Insulin Action
Whole grains are chock-full of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins (especially B and E), and minerals (magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc, and -- whew! -- iron). All are great for your body in so many ways. But the real key here is fiber. It slows down digestion, keeping blood sugar on an even keel and insulin levels more stable. Vitamin E and magnesium might boost insulin sensitivity as well. (Find good food sources of vitamin E and magnesium with this online tool.)

Good-for-Your-Blood-Sugar Plan
Along with aiming for six servings of whole grains daily, try these other tricks for keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range:

• Be choosy about your carbs. Get a breakdown of both good and bad carbs.
• Invest in some comfy walking shoes. Here's how a daily walk could prevent blood sugar disorders like diabetes.
• Whittle your waist. First step: Check out these six things you didn’t know about belly fat -- and how to make it scram.
• Get spicy. Sprinkle a little of this on your oatmeal or latte.

How close are you to developing diabetes? Find out right now with this quick questionnaire.

Recipe Corner

• For an oat-y, berry crumble, try this: Blueberry Crumble.
• For a brown-rice salad, try this: Confetti Rice Salad.