Diabetes is a severe disease but luckily, you can control the level of your blood sugar if you choose to consume the right food. The main point is to avoid the food that contains high amounts of sugar. Sometimes people with diabetes consume certain food without prior knowledge about the exact level of sugar it contains. So, pay attention to these 20 kinds of food if you are a diabetic:
1. White Rice, Bread, Refined Flour
If you like carbs, try to eat whole grains such as barley and oats. Instead of white rice, it’s better to choose the brown alternative.
Also, avoid white flour and all its products like bread, pasta, etc.
It’s advisable to always choose an alternative to carbs if possible.
2. Food That Is Fried
Everyone should avoid trans fats as much as possible, especially people who suffer from diabetes. This means you should limit fried food, including fried meats, French fries, and in short, everything that is deep fried.
3. Meat That Is Processed
Processed meat is generally a bad choice because it contains high levels of sodium. Furthermore, sodium is dangerous considering it increases chances of heart attack and stroke in the case that you suffer from diabetes type 2.
For this reason, it’s wise to consume food with low levels of sodium. Also, avoid processed meat toppings. Instead of these toppings, use vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, greens, carrots, etc.
4. Fatty Ground Beef
Hamburgers are abundant in saturated fats that can contain high levels of cholesterol. You don’t have to eliminate hamburgers completely, just check and eat its healthy alternatives, such as perhaps ground chicken or ground turkey.
According to the American Heart Association, people should limit saturated fats to no more than 7% of the complete calories intake per day.
5. Pizza
We all love pizza. But, you should be aware of the fact frozen or commercially prepared pizzas are high in calories.
Instead, stick to homemade pizzas, with healthy toppings and fresh ingredients like fresh herbs, spices, and veggies. There are also really tasty homemade pizza recipes like whole grain high fiber pizza crust or cauliflower pizza crust.
6. Fatty Meat
Fatty meats are high in bad cholesterol and saturated fats. They can increase the chances of heart diseases and inflammation.
Alternatively, eat healthy prepared fish, chicken, lean beef, pork tenderloin, or skinless turkey.
7. Nachos
Nachos contain loads of calories, so it’s not suitable for people who deal with diabetes. For example, Chili’s Classic Nachos consists of 830 calories, including 59 gr of fat, and 39 gr of carbs. In short, just imagine they don’t exist at all if humanly possible. Keep them off the menu.
8. Diary That’s Full-Fat
Full-fat dairy products are rich in saturated fats. They can cause cardiovascular diseases. So, always stick to alternatives, consume low or fat-free dairies.
9. Coffee That’s Blended High In Sugar And Fat
Blended coffees are in fact full of sugar as well as fats since they are abundant in creams, syrups, and other additives. Always choose coffee with no sugar and low-fat or no milk.
10. Processed Smoothies
Commercial smoothies are actually full of added sugar. If you want to enjoy the real benefits of smoothies, prepare them at home with healthy and fresh ingredients and configured to your own taste.
11. Flavored Water
If you choose to drink soda or flavored water, the effect is pretty much the same. Though flavored water contains lower levels of sugar than soda, you might drink a lot more of it, so you end up with a similar result.
12. Chinese Take Out
Chinese food is abundant in sodium, fats, carbs, and calories. In addition, always avoid sweet and sour dishes, for instance, orange chicken that comes with a sugary and syrupy sauce.
13. Cereal
If you want to eat healthy cereals – always read the label. This way, you will avoid those with added sugar.
14. Pastries
Few people can say no to delicious breakfast pastries. The problem with them is they are usually made of white flour, contain loads of sugar, trans fats, and sodium. There are sugar-free or fat-free alternatives but it’s always best if you can prepare them at home and use healthy ingredients.
15. Fruit That Is Dried
Many people think that dried fruit is healthy because of the high levels of various nutrients and fiber. In fact, due to dehydration process, dried fruit contains a saturation of natural sugar to fiber content.
So, dried fruit will increase blood sugar in our bodies. Instead, eat fresh strawberries, grapefruit, etc.
16. Melons and Bananas
Eating fresh fruit is always a good idea because it’s a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy carbs. There are still some of them that can significantly raise your blood sugar, such as bananas, stone fruits, and melons. Don’t eliminate these fruits, just eat them moderately.
17. Alcoholic Drinks
Whether you have diabetes or not, you should drink alcohol in moderation. Especially if you have diabetic problems. It’s wise to stick to 1-2 drinks a day no matter what health issues you may have. In other words, 12 ounces of beer, 1 ½ ounces of liquor, and 5 ounces of wine.
18. Juice
Fruit juices are healthier than flavored water or soda but still, they’ve got loads of sugar. Alternatively, consume flavored seltzers, fruit infused water, or lemon water.
19. Sugary Food
Sugary food is very dangerous for diabetics. Keep away from dessert, sweets, soda, etc. if possible. Generally, sugary foods are low-quality in every sense of the meaning. It’s always better to eat something like fresh fruit than sugary food.
20. Energy Bars
Energy bars are usually high in both carbs and sugar. It’s true, they are healthy and act as energy boosters but if you are a diabetic, you should not go overboard consuming these bars. Choose the ones with fewer fats and sugar as well as a better balance of carbs and proteins.
Diabetes is a serious health condition but you can enjoy many great tasting foods and drinks in moderation. Be sure to be aware of the early warning signs of diabetes as well if you don’t already have diabetes. You have to take care of the level of harmful substances you put into your body through the food you choose to eat. Choose and eat wisely to stay healthy.