12 Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Diabetes
Here are 12 foods and drinks that people with diabetes should avoid or limit:
Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda and fruit juice, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Refined grains, such as white bread and pasta, are quickly converted to sugar in the body and can raise blood sugar levels.
Fried foods, such as french fries and fried chicken, as they are high in calories and unhealthy fats, which can contribute to weight gain and other complications of diabetes.
Processed meats, such as bacon and deli meat, as they are high in salt and unhealthy fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Trans fats, which are found in many processed and fried foods, can increase the risk of heart disease and other complications of diabetes.
Alcohol, especially in large amounts, can interfere with blood sugar control and increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
High-sugar foods, such as cookies, cakes, and candy, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
High-salt foods, such as pretzels, chips, and canned soup, can increase the risk of high blood pressure and other complications of diabetes.
High-fat dairy products, such as whole milk and cheese, as they are high in calories and unhealthy fats, which can contribute to weight gain and other complications of diabetes.
Foods with added sugars, such as flavored yogurt and sweetened breakfast cereals, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, can interfere with blood sugar control and may have other negative health effects.
Non-nutritive sweeteners, such as stevia and monk fruit, can still cause spikes in blood sugar levels, despite being low in calories.
Overall, it's important for people with diabetes to eat a healthy and balanced diet that is low in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and to avoid or limit foods and drinks that can affect blood sugar control.