What Foods Should Diabetics Avoid?

Controlling their diet is of great significance for diabetics. Multiple factors, including blood glucose level, blood pressure, cholesterol level, weight and body fat rate may worsen diabetes by inducing complex chain reactions in the human body. Diabetics should choose appropriate, healthy food and avoid certain irritants. Here are some risky foods for diabetics that should be avoided.

Refined Carbohydrates

IWhite bread, white rice, pasta, sugary cereals and baked goods made with white flour are all refined carbohydrates. Without the barrier of bran, they are quickly broken down into glucose during digestion. This leads to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, resulting in insulin resistance and weight gain. Compared with whole grains, most of the nutrients in refined carbs are removed during the manufacturing process. This will cause a deficiency in essential nutrients.

Unhealthy Meat

Meat is a good source of protein. But it also contains a lot of fat. Red Meat tends to have a higher level of saturated fats and cholesterol. They are closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Meat with skin is also high in unhealthy fat. Therefore, replacing fatty meat in a diabetes diet with white meat like poultry and fish is recommended. A moderate amount of lean red meat can still be included.

Processed meat, including bacon, sausage, hot dogs and lunch meat are often high in sodium, which contributes to high blood pressure. Its high saturated fat content can raise the levels of bad cholesterol in the human body. Both substances will increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke. For diabetics, this risk can be fatal. People with diabetes should have more fresh meats in their diet.

High Sodium Foods

Most canned food, pickled food, salty snacks, fast food and premade food are high in sodium. High sodium intake can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Hypertension can further increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications associated with diabetes. Besides, diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease. Excess sodium intake will put additional strain on the kidneys and cause an imbalance in electrolytes, increasing the risk of kidney damage.

Fried Foods

Fried food like crisps, fish and chips, french fries, chicken nuggets and onion rings are often rich in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates, because they are cooked in oils covered by breading or batter. Due to high fat and carbohydrate content, they are usually high in calories, causing blood sugar spikes, increased cardiovascular risks and weight gain. The process of frying will generate harmful compounds linked with inflammation and oxidation. They may worsen some diabetes complications.

Sugary Snacks and Beverages

Ice creams, candies, chocolate, soda, juice and sports drinks contain excessive free sugar. Free sugar is sugars added to foods or drinks and sugars in honey, syrup and sweet juices. Scientists recommend that free sugar should not make up more than 5% of the calories you get from food and drink each day, because it can be absorbed very fast and cause blood glucose spikes. These sugary foods provide little nutrients except calories, leading to weight gain easily.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can be dangerous for those who take insulin because alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Alcohol itself is high in calories, so excess alcohol intake will contribute to weight gain. What's the most important is that alcohol consumption will increase the risk of various complications, including liver damage, heart disease and kidney damage.