3 Kinds of Foods to Avoid With Diabetes

By Emma |
|5 min read

Diabetes is a metabolic disease where the body is not able to produce insulin, or it fails to produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and its main work is to ensure that the human body is in a position of using body sugar. In other words, insulin helps in ensuring healthy blood sugar levels. When a person is stricken by diabetes, the higher blood levels may lead to other health complications.

Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled through the administration of insulin artificially so that the body can proceed on to convert glucose to energy for use and storage. The most effective way of keeping blood sugar levels well controlled is by having proper checks on your diet: what foods to avoid with diabetes.

Foods to Avoid in Controlling Diabetes

A healthy lifestyle comprises medication accurately, especially for choosing the right types of foods. Some of the foods can wreak havoc on the levels of your blood sugar. It is good to know what foods to avoid diabetes.

A. Foods Rich in Sugar

The body of a person stricken by diabetes is not in a position of using blood sugar to produce energy for daily function. Foods that supply the body with too much sugar should be avoided, including:

  1. Sugar-sweetened Beverages
    Reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages would be very helpful for prevention. Sugar-sweetened drinks include any liquid sweetened with added sugars, dextrose, lactose or other types of sugars. Such beverages are not limited to soda but include sports drinks, coffee beverages, sweetened waters and fruit drinks. All these drinks can cause a rise in the level of blood sugar.

  2. Dried fruits
    Dried fruits have higher fiber content and are highly nutritious. However, it is worth noting that dried fruits are dehydrated of all their water content, resulting in the concentration of the natural sugars contained in them. It might seem like a better option compared to some snacks such as cookies, but it will raise your blood glucose level. It is advisable to take fresh fruit instead.

B. Foods High in Carbs

Proteins, carbs, and fats provide the body with energy. Carbs in the body are broken down into sugar, and then they are absorbed into the blood system. This means that carbs provide the body with more energy than proteins and fats, and therefore their effect on blood sugar is higher.

  1. White Rice and Bread. Foods rich in carbs, such as rice, bread, and pasta, have effects similar to sugar once they are in the body. It is advisable to feed on whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oatmeal to keep carbs in check.
  2. Flavored Coffee Drinks. Coffee has some health benefits, such as reduction in the risk of diabetes, but flavored coffee drinks are not. Flavored coffee drinks should be classified as liquid dessert and not a healthy drink because it is loaded with tons of carbs which significantly increase the level of glucose in your blood. To keep the blood sugar level under check, avoid flavored coffee drinks, or take plain coffee.
  3. Packaged Snack Foods. Snacks are convenient foods when hunger strikes, but it is essential to choose the right snacks. Any time you wish to buy some snacks, ensure that you check the nutrition label to see the counts of carbs contained in them. It is good to note that the carb level may be a little bit higher than what is stated on the label. If you feel hungry between meals or while traveling, it is advisable to eat low-carb vegetables.

C. Fatty Foods

To ensure that your blood sugar levels remain controlled, you should try to reduce the rate at which you consume fatty foods. The main reason why fatty foods should be avoided is the fact that they contain saturated fats, which means that they are rich in calories. Some of the foods classified as fatty include:

  1. Country-Fried Steak. Country-Fried Steak is a Southern dish which is made tenderized cube steak mixed with white flour. The combination of the fatty meat and white flour full of starch makes it undesirable for people with diabetes. Reduction of foods saturated with fats is helpful in reducing insulin resistance, thus lowers the chances of being stricken by Diabetes.
  2. French Fries. French Fries in some countries are referred to as Chips. It is food that is made of fried potatoes, and in most cases eaten as snacks. It is not wrong to consume potatoes, but you need to observe how they have been prepared and the quantity you consume. French fries are a no-zone for diabetic people because they have lots of carbs and fats which raise sugar levels.

Foods Helpful for Controlling Blood Sugar Levels

There are lots of foods that are compatible with diabetes as advised by dietitians and diabetes educators. The foods recommended for diabetic people are those that have low carb and sugar content, thus that help in keeping the blood sugar level under control. Some of the foods include:

  1. Beans. Beans have proteins and fiber that is soluble, which helps in ensuring that you feel full and also manage the levels of your blood glucose.
  2. Vegetables. Vegetables such as spinach do not have starch, and they contain Lutein which is useful in improving the health of your eyes. People with diabetes are at higher risk of losing their sight, and therefore vegetables such as mushrooms, eggplant, Wild Salmon among others are right for them.
  3. Wholemeal Bread. Wholemeal bread has lots of vitamins and fiber, which help in the control of blood sugar.
  4. Drinks with Low Calories. Water is good for the body, and when it has fruits and vegetables added to it, it becomes more enjoyable to drink. Water flavored with lemon is good for diabetic people.

In conclusion, it would be accurate to say that even though diabetes is a condition in which the body is not able to produce or utilize insulin properly if managed correctly, it does not necessarily cause problems. Its incurable but can be controlled by observing proper diet and the, in some cases. medication. Failure to find appropriate measures in the control of diabetes leads to deterioration of the condition, but if proper checks are kept, the disorder can be reversed or maintained under control.

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