The Best and Worst Foods for Diabetics

worst foods for diabetics

Do you know which is the good choice? Learn more about the worst foods for diabetics and the ones that can actually improve your health!

You have been diagnosed with diabetes and you are making the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle in order to take better care of your health. This should include staying away from the worst foods for diabetics that you can imagine, and that were probably a part of your previous diet.

Watching what you eat suddenly becomes an important part of your day, because what you put in your system can either control or trigger your blood sugar levels, which sometimes can be life-threatening if unaddressed. That is exactly why referring to a list of foods for diabetics that has been developed and/or approved by your Doctor, is the easiest starting point for those that are just starting to make these adjustments.

Just as there are carbs to steer away from, there are fruits to avoid in diabetes just to keep your glucose levels stable and avoid any health complication. By talking to your doctor you can (and will) learn more about managing and controlling your diabetes, and they will also give you a clear idea of what are the worst foods for diabetics that you could come across with.

Refined sugar, high-corn syrup, starchy carbs and saturated fats are just some of the foods that you want to avoid at all costs. In fact, as part of the list of foods for diabetics, under the section of foods you will want to avoid, you will most-likely find:

  • Sodas and any sugar-sweetened beverage, including certain flavored water brands
  • Creamers
  • Muffins & biscuits
  • Pastries
  • White bread
  • White rice
  • Fruit-flavored yogurt
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals
  • Flavored coffee drinks
  • Pre-packaged snacks (chips)
  • Sweetened protein shakes
  • Commercial smoothies
  • Sweetened and/or flavored nuts (coated)
  • White pasta
  • White potatoes

As part of the fruits to avoid in diabetes, your Doctor may recommend that you skip:

  • Canned fruits in syrup
  • Preserved fruits
  • Dehydrated fruits
  • Sweetened fruit juices

Another great way to get to know the worst foods for diabetics and know what to choose, is by checking the glycemic index to measure how much a serving of certain food may spike your glucose levels.

Sometimes, and contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a fatty, carb-packed snack to trigger your blood sugar levels, but only double the portion (or serving) of pineapple or eat too much wild rice. This is where the glycemic index helps.

Staying away from the worst foods for diabetics does not mean that you will be starving or that you simply won’t be able to enjoy another delicious meal.

There is a wide number of options available that are rich in nutrients (and flavor!) and that will help you manage your diabetes without compromising your health, or eating something that simply won’t be appealing.

Among the best choices to make, you can enjoy:

  • Soy
  • Tomatoes
  • Yogurt
  • Sweet Potato
  • Tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Lean Chicken
  • Wilde Rice
  • Asparagus
  • Avocados
  • Flaxseed
  • Garlic
  • Quinoa
  • Apples
  • Citrus Fruits
  • Salmon
  • Legumes
  • Green Tea
  • Nuts
  • Spinach, Kale and Collard Greens
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Lean Steak
  • Vinegar
  • Cucumbers
  • Peppers
  • Skim Milk
  • Tuna
  • Eggs
  • Berries
  • Chia seeds

And while nothing is truly off-limits, you can consult with your Doctor whether or not a treat (one) every now and then could really pose a threat to your health.

Everything in life is about moderation. In the case of diabetes, moderation and portion control are to super helpful tools that can make an outstanding difference in the way you eat, but also the way that your system processes the food intake.

Making these necessary adjustments to your lifestyle can be tricky or seem stressful at the beginning, but with time and support all these changes will become a part of a better and improved you.

Sources:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/managing-type-2-diabetes/best-and-worst-foods/

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetic-food-list-best-worst-foods#1

http://www.eatthis.com/best-foods-diabetes/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-diabetes

http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/food-to-eat/nutrition/22-foods-to-avoid-diabetes

http://www.eatthis.com/best-and-worst-foods-for-diabetics/

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