A diabetes diet plan can include most foods, but people may need smaller portions. That said, certain foods from each food group may be better than others.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Having a healthy, balanced diet can help many people manage diabetes symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. A person may wonder what foods to avoid with diabetes.
Different foods provide each of the main macronutrients that give us energy: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. There are more and less healthy types of each of these foods.
Below, we explore which foods a person who has, or has a risk of, diabetes may want to limit or avoid. We also offer some suggestions for crafting a healthy diabetes diet plan.
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy. This macronutrient also has the most influence on a person’s blood sugar, or blood glucose.
Carbs to avoid
There are three main types of carbohydrates in food: starch, sugar, and fiber. Starches and sugars pose the biggest problems for people with diabetes because the body breaks these down into glucose.
Refined carbs
Refined carbs, or refined starches, are broken down through processing before they reach our plates. As a result of this processing, the body quickly absorbs the carbs and converts them into glucose. This increases blood sugar, and it means that a person may feel hungry again soon after a meal.
For people with diabetes or a risk of the condition, some examples of carb sources to limit include white rice and anything made with white flour only, such as:
- white bread
- white pasta
- some cereals
- some crackers
- many baked goods
Monitoring the total carbohydrate intake per meal can help a person keep their glucose levels in the target range.
Sugars
Sugary foods mostly contain sugar and low-quality carbohydrates. They often have little or no nutritional value and can cause sharp spikes in blood glucose. Sugar can also contribute to weight gain and the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Foods that are often high in sugar include baked goods, such as doughnuts, croissants, cakes, and cookies, as well as pizza dough. Some other sources of sugar include:
- many sauces and condiments
- agave nectar and other sweeteners
- maple syrup and other syrups
- candy bars
- premade fruit-flavored yogurts
Don’t smoke
Avoid smoking or quit smoking if you smoke. Smoking increases your risk of type 2 diabetes and the risk of various diabetes complications, including:
- Reduced blood flow in the legs and feet, which can lead to infections, nonhealing ulcers and possible amputation
- Worse blood sugar control
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Eye disease, which can lead to blindness
- Nerve damage
- Kidney disease
- Premature death
Talk to your health care provider about ways to help you stop smoking or using other types of tobacco.…READ THE FULL CONTENTS>>
