Foods to avoid with diabetes

If you have diabetes, keeping a control on what you eat is one of the most important things you can do, in order to stay healthy, prevent or delay the symptoms of diabetes. Research shows what to eat and what not to eat is important to control the condition and live a healthy life.

Being obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, stress and unhealthy eating habits are the main causes that give rise to this lifestyle ailment.

People with diabetes are advised to eat healthy foods in order to maintain glucose levels. On the other hand, there are certain foods which are likely to cause dangerous spikes in their blood sugar.

Below are the foods diabetic should avoid:

Sugary foods: Sugary foods such as soda, sweets, desserts, and many more are primarily made of sugar, which are not only lacking in nutritional value, but also cause a sharp spike in blood sugar levels and lead to weight gain. Increased blood sugar level and obesity are worsening diabetes complications.

Whole milk: Individuals with diabetes should avoid saturated fat as the fat can aggravate insulin resistance. Instead, they can try 1% (low-fat) or skim (non-fat) milk. Whole-milk dairy products such as cream, cheese and cream should also be excluded from the regular diet.

Alcohol: If you are planning for a glass of wine, do check with your doctor since alcohol can spike up your blood-sugar levels. If you are really craving for it, keep it in moderation. Smoking is also prohibited for diabetics.

Fruit juice: Fruit juice is pondered to be a healthy option. Yes, it is, but not for those with diabetes. If your blood sugar is extremely low, then you can rely on the juice to bring it up quickly. It increases blood sugar level hence it is not advised for diabetic patient.

Dried fruit: Patient with Diabetes should avoid dried fruits. Apart from fibre and many nutrients, they also contain natural sugars, which can make the diabetes symptoms worse. Skip the dried fruit and instead try to include fresh fruit, such as grapefruit, cantaloupe, strawberries, and peaches, in your diet.

If you have diabetes, contact experts working at different healthcare centers. They will guide you to manage your condition effectively and live a healthy life. Apart from dietary suggestions and lifestyle changes, they may also prescribe medication if required. A detailed consultation is mandatory before prescribing medication. Sometimes, they might advise you tests to understand your condition.

The author is a co-founder of SEO Content India, a startup, and the views expressed are personal.