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If you have diabetes, diet plays an important role in treating it. If foods are high in carbohydrates, fats, and sodium, they increase the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain, and heart disease.
It is difficult to say exactly what diet a diabetic should have because each patient is different and everyone’s tolerance to carbohydrates is different.
No food should be banned. However, some foods are better than others.
1. Breakfast cereals
Breakfast cereals are high in carbohydrates and added sugars but are low in protein and fiber. Carbohydrates, especially those from refined grains, will naturally cause an increase in blood sugar.
2. Cereal bars
They are rich in refined carbohydrates, syrup, and sugar.
3. White bread
Replace white bread with whole grain bread. White bread has a high glycemic index, while whole grain bread has a better nutritional profile and a low glycemic index (blood sugar levels increase at a slower rate after consumption).
4. Jam
A large amount of sugar that is put on another refined carbohydrate such as bread or biscuits.
5. Fruit yogurt
Yogurt is a healthy snack for people with diabetes, but not fruit yogurt that is sweetened with sugar.
6. Fat-free frozen yogurt
When fat is removed from a food, more sugar is added to taste, and it rapidly raises blood sugar.
7. Chocolate milk
Includes milk carbohydrates, lactose, plus added sugar from the chocolate mixture.
8. Fruit smoothies
As healthy as we think fruit smoothies are, they contain mainly sugar and carbohydrates.
9. Coffee-based drinks
They contain a lot of sugar, calories, and saturated fats.
10. Sport drinks
They are a source of calories, added sugars, and sodium. To be hydrated during training, water is the best choice.
11. Soda
It contains too much sugar which is quickly absorbed into the body and releases insulin.
12. Dietary soda
Sweeteners are sweeter than sugar and release insulin from the pancreas.
13. Popcorn
Corn has a high glycemic index, and this snack usually contains an artificial topping of butter, caramel sauce, or other unhealthy elements.
14. Packaged sweets
Packaged sweets contain a lot of added sugar, usually in several forms: sugar, corn syrup with a high content of fructose, and dextrose. They also contain artificial ingredients and partially hydrogenated oils. These sweets increase blood sugar and lead to inflammation.
15. Cinnamon rolls
They contain saturated fats and added sugars.
16. Gluten-free foods
If a food is gluten-free it does not mean that it is healthier. Gluten-free foods are denser and have more carbohydrates than conventional foods.
17. Dried fruits
Fresh fruits contain nutrients such as water and fiber, while dried fruits contain highly concentrated amounts of carbohydrates and sugar.
18. Fruit jellies
These are nothing but sugar and will quickly raise your blood sugar.
19. Macaroni and cheese
A combination of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats that will lead to inflammation in the body and brain. Macaroni and cheese also have a high glycemic index.
20. Sherbet
Many people think that sherbet is a good alternative to ice cream, but half a cup of sherbet has almost twice the carbohydrates of half a cup of ice cream.
21. French fries
You should avoid eating french fries because they are high in carbohydrates and fats, they will quickly increase blood sugar. You can eat potatoes, but you must be careful about how they are prepared and how much you eat.
22. Fast food
It was found that people who ate fast food more than twice a week developed insulin resistance twice as high as people who did not eat fast food. Insulin resistance increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
23. Potato chips
Potato chips are one of the most captivating foods: they are rich in fat and salt.
24. Hot dog
It is rich in saturated fats and sodium.
25. Any fried food
We know that fried food is not good for anyone. Fat is absorbed into the food and leads to high cholesterol and weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or worsening it if you already have diabetes.
26. Fat-free sauces
A salad looks like a healthy meal until you add a high-calorie sauce. Fat-free sauce options are not always better, because when fat is removed from a food, more sugar is added to taste. Instead, you can use olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
27. Alcohol
Alcohol interferes with the liver’s ability to produce glucose and interferes with certain diabetes medicines. It is important to know the value of your blood sugar before consuming alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach (when your blood sugar is already low).
If you want to find out about the risks of coffee, check out our article on this topic: 13 health risks of coffee.
[Photo from Unsplash]
