Foods Not to Eat With Diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition that affects how your body breaks down and uses glucose derived from food. If the body produces very little or no insulin, you may develop diabetes type one. Diabetes type two occurs when the body fails to use the produced insulin effectively. High blood glucose during pregnancy may also cause gestational diabetes. Some common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, weight loss, and blurry vision. If you have diabetes, avoid the following foods:

1. Honey or maple syrup

While you can still add honey to your diabetes diet, high amounts can affect your blood sugar. Honey is rich in carbohydrates and simple sugars. Use honey in moderation and opt for organic or raw honey. On the other hand, maple syrup is a high-sugar sweetener with zero fiber. When consumed in large quantities, it quickly enters the bloodstream causing a spike in blood sugar.

2. Sweetened cereals

Sweetened cereals are processed foods with added sugars. High consumption of these cereals increases your blood sugar level. For this reason, consider taking low-sugar, high-fiber cereals like oatmeal and bran flakes and add some fresh fruit or berries for natural sweetness.

3. Sugary juices and sodas

Sugary beverages are fast-acting glucose sources that can raise your blood sugar above the recommended range. If you have diabetes, avoid soda, sweet tea, slush drinks, and iced coffee. Most sugary drinks have little or no nutritional value. Excessive consumption of these drinks makes it harder to control your sugar levels if you already have diabetes. You can replace these with water, light coffee, unsweetened tea, vegetable juice, and diet soda.

4. White bread and pasta

White bread and pasta are highly processed foods rich in carbohydrates and low in fiber. The body quickly converts refined carbs into glucose and absorbs them into the bloodstream increasing blood sugar. Whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and barley are great alternatives.

5. Dried fruits

Although you can use fruits as snacks in your diabetes diet plan, you may want to avoid dried fruits. Dry fruits have a higher concentration of sugars than fresh fruits making it difficult to maintain stable blood sugar levels. If you must eat dry fruits, opt for almonds since they are naturally low in sugar.

6. Foods high in trans fats

High intake of trans fatty food leads to insulin resistance, linked to type 2 diabetes. As a result, it becomes difficult for the body to break down food into energy, increasing blood sugar levels. Hydrogenated vegetable oils are the biggest source of trans fatty acids in your diet. If you have diabetes, read food labels carefully before purchasing or ordering food. Avoid foods with partially hydrogenated items.

Food choice plays a vital role in controlling blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Stick to whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and meat. While it’s essential to manage your blood sugar closely, a low-sugar or sugar-free diet can lower your blood sugar to dangerous levels. Monitor your sugars and be consistent with the amounts of food you eat to keep your blood sugar levels within a safe range. People with type 2 diabetes may experience a sudden drop in their blood sugar levels if they skip meals after taking diabetes medication.

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