We can understand your pain if you are suffering from diabetes. Diabetes is one of the disastrous chronic diseases that has reached an epidemic stage among adults as well as kids.
Uncontrolled diabetes can have serious consequences like heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and other related consequences.
Eating certain food items can raise the blood sugar level and the insulin level. Therefore, you are facing a disease like diabetes, in a certain way, your diet is your medicine.
In this article, we will talk about different foods and beverages that you should avoid if you want to have controlled blood sugar levels. Food items that have high proportions of carbohydrates, fat, and sodium can increase your risk for high cholesterol, blood pressure, weight gain, and heart diseases.
Following are the food items that fall on the do-not-eat list if you have diabetes:
White bread, rice, and pasta
The main reason that bread, rice, and pasta are on the do-not-eat list is that they are high in carbs, and they belong to the category of processed foods. The inclusion of bread, bagels, and other refined flour food can increase the blood sugar levels in people with type1 and type2 diabetes.
This is not the case just with refined white flour. In a study, it was also found that gluten-free pasta can also increase the blood sugar level. In another study, it was found that high carbs food not only increased the blood sugar levels but also decreased the brain functioning in people with type II diabetes. Processed food contains little fiber. Fiber helps in the slow absorption of sugar into the blood. In another research, it was found that replacing low fiber food items with high fiber food items can significantly reduce blood sugar levels. In addition to this, people with diabetes also got the benefit of a reduction in cholesterol.
Increased fiber consumption can also improve gut bacteria, which leads to improved insulin resistance.
Sweet drinks
Sweet drinks include all types of drinks like soda, fruit punches, and iced teas. These beverages are loaded with sugar and calories. In addition to this, they do not have any nutritional benefits. Thus, if you want to have something sweet, try to infuse plain water with different fruits so that you can enjoy the natural sweet drink.
Designer coffee drinks
Having those delicious and beautiful-looking frappuccinos and cappuccinos can also add lots of sugar and extra calories to your body. If you want to have a caffeinated drink, try to go for black coffee or coffee with artificial sugar and a splash of skimmed milk.
Whole milk
You must have heard that milk is good for health, but this is not the case with people who are diabetic. Whole milk has a high amount of fat, and it can lead to weight gain. Thus, if you want to include milk in your everyday diet, try to switch to skim milk. If you are lactose intolerant, you can also go for almond milk, soy milk, or rice milk.
Hot dogs
Hot dogs are a favorite of many people. But, these grilled favorites can cause you inconvenience if you are suffering from diabetes. Hot dogs are high in saturated fats and sodium. Thus, try to avoid eating hot dogs as much as possible if you are diabetic.
Packaged lunch meats
The packaged lunch meats are also high in saturated fat and sodium. If possible, try to use sliced meat that is roasted at home to make sandwiches. Also, make sure to add healthy toppings to your sandwich. Instead of using mayonnaise, you can try to add mustard, veggies, or hummus while making a sandwich.
Sweet cereals
The sweet cereals that you get in packaged form from the market are also high in carbohydrates because of the presence of added sugar. Thus, try to avoid them and go for plain cereals with fruits or artificial sweeteners.
Pancake syrup
Pancake sugar is high in carbohydrates. The low-calorie syrup contains less amount of sugar. Thus, instead of choosing the pancake syrup, try to use the low-calorie syrup for making delicious pancakes.
Sherbet
Many people have the false belief that sherbet is a good alternative to ice cream. But, you should know that sherbet also falls on the do-not-eat list if you have diabetes.
Baked potato
If you feel that having a baked potato with cheddar cheese, butter, sour cream, and bacon is good for your health, you are mistaken. You have converted the healthy nutrients in potatoes into a high-sodium and fat-laden disaster. The same philosophy applies to nachos and cheese-covered appetizers that you eat.
Anything fried
Any item that is fried is not good and healthy. The fat absorbed at the time of frying can lead to an increase in cholesterol, and it can cause weight gain in the long term. Thus, try to avoid french fries and fried chicken as much as possible.
So, these were some of the food items that you should try to avoid if you have diabetes.