7 Foods Diabetics Should Never Eat
Maintaining a healthy diet is very important for diabetics. You should ensure you have a proper meal plan in place and are getting the nutrients your body needs, including any necessary supplements.
1. Fruit Products
Fresh fruit is full of fiber and nutrition, so it is a healthy choice for a diabetic who wants something a little sweet. However, if the fruit is dried or made into a juice, it becomes concentrated with fructose which can spike their blood glucose levels.
Things like an apple or orange juice in the morning can be dangerous if had in large quantities. It's important to note how much sugar you're consuming so you can moderate your diet. A good alternative would be adding some lemon or lime to the water to give it a bit of extra flavor.
2. Products Made With White Flour
Most kitchens in the U.S. have several pounds of white flour on hand. It gets used in all kinds of sauces, gravies and baked goods. Unfortunately, it is not healthy for people to eat since it acts as other sweets do inside the body, and even the fortified versions of it have very little nutrition.
There are other types of flour that diabetics can use though, such as coconut flour, almond flour and whole wheat flour. If you're doing some baking or cooking at home, try to incorporate these alternatives instead. And don't be afraid to check the labels of other products at the grocery store to try and limit the amount of white flour you bring home to eat.
3. Fatty Cuts of Meat
A multitude of studies have proven that regularly consuming red meat dramatically increases the likeliness of someone getting diabetes, and once someone has the condition, eating red meat can worsen it. Because of this, diabetics should eat strictly lean meats or stick with a vegetable-based diet.
Of course, this doesn't mean you have to immediately switch to a vegetarian diet. Instead of steak, opt for chicken breast. Or, try to incorporate things like "No Meat Monday" into your routine to help cut out meat and increase the number of vegetables you're consuming.
4. Whole Milk Products
Fatty milk products that come from cows have high levels of saturated fats in them, so they are just as bad for diabetics as red meat. There are vegetable-based versions that are much healthier, such as almond milk or coconut milk.
Switching to plant-based milk is a great step, but you can also look for other dairy alternatives such as cheese made with nuts, dairy-free ice cream or even coconut-based yogurt products. Don't be afraid to go exploring in your grocery store to mix things up a bit.
5. Alcohol
Wine, beer and liquor are made with a fermentation process that causes them to induce dangerous fluctuations in a person's blood glucose levels. The non-alcoholic versions of them are just as bad, so there is not much that a diabetic can do except avoid alcoholic products altogether.
If you are going to have a drink, make sure it's in moderation.
6. Soda
Most cans of soda have about 16 tablespoons of sugar in them. Even a few sips of the sugary substance will cause a spike in blood glucose levels. Diet sodas that have artificial sweeteners can have the same effect.
Instead of drinking soda, try carbonated water instead. There are tons of flavors you can try that have less sugar but still provide the same bubbly consistency.
7. Chips and Snack Foods
Most regular snack foods are made with white flour or tons of sugar. They have a lot of carbs, so diabetics cannot eat them.
There are many other healthy snack food options available, such as vegetable sticks or kale chips baked with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Almonds and walnuts are good too, and they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that are great for the body.
Supplement With Medication
Maintaining a healthy diet is important for diabetics, but they also need to ensure they take proper medication. Ozempic is a common medication. It's taken once a week by adults with type 2 diabetes and helps lower blood sugar. When paired with a proper diet, it can help manage symptoms. Always talk to your doctor about what medication you should take if you have diabetes.
Something to Add to Your Diet
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