6 Food To Avoid With Diabetes

Did you know that 34.0 million people in the United States are diabetic? Among the population, 7.3 million of the adult population are ideal for diabetes tests and are not aware that they are supposed to take a diabetes test. What is even worse is the fact that the majority don’t know what food to avoid with diabetes. In this article, you will get to know what diabetes is, and why it is a non-communicable disease. You will also get to know the population that is at risk and foods to avoid with diabetes.

First thing first, let us have a clear understanding of this condition. Diabetes is a disease that results when your body produces insufficient insulin for the regulation of glucose levels. When you eat food, your body transformed it into sugars which are then absorbed into your body. If you are diabetic, your glucose levels rise. A hormone called insulin helps in the utilization and control of blood sugar levels in the body. This hormone is regulated by the pancreas.

Why is it Referred To as a Non-Communicable Disease?

Diabetes is mostly referred to as a non-communicable disease because it does not result from an infectious process.

Which Population is at Risk of Suffering From Diabetes?

Anyone can suffer from this medical condition regardless of gender, age, and race.

Which are Some of its Classifications?

Type 1 diabetes– This type of diabetes affects you when the pancreas does not produce insulin. You can also suffer from this medical condition if there is less production of insulin. This type of diabetes can affect a person during adolescence and in adulthood. Viruses and genetic factors are some of the things that contribute to this condition.

Type 2 diabetes-This one is lifelong diabetes. It occurs when your glucose level increases in your body system. Your body does not use the glucose levels properly as it is supposed to and hence leading to that build-up. A person with this condition has difficulties benefiting from the energy that is produced from the food.

Gestational diabetes-This diabetes is common among pregnant women. It goes away immediately after the baby is born. However, it increases the likelihood of having diabetes 2 later in life. A baby born from a mother who had gestational diabetes is also likely to be obese as a teenager.

One thing to note is that glucose (blood sugar) helps your body function as it is supposed to through the provision of energy.

Which is The Normal Range?

The normal sugar levels are less than 100mg/dl after fasting for eight hours and less than 140mg/dl after eating. The levels are slightly low when you don’t make a meal.

How is one Diagnosed?

Likely any other disease, early diagnosis is critical to enhancing good management. These are some of the tests that a doctor can run to ascertain whether one is suffering from diabetes:

• Fasting plasma glucose test
• A random check-this test is
• Oral glucose tolerance

Are There Foods To Avoid With Diabetes?

As you have seen diabetes is a serious disease that can affect both young and old people. The good thing is that it is a medical condition that is treatable. As mentioned earlier we will narrow down to the foods to avoid diabetes. They include:

1. 6 Food To Avoid With Diabetes- Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

These beverages are the worst for anyone who is suffering from diabetes. These drinks are rich in fructose which alters insulin performance in your body. Research has shown that if you increase the consumption of sugary beverages there is a likelihood of having type 2 diabetes. Moreover, consumption of beverage drinks such as sodas and juices also increases the chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the consumption of these drinks increases the risk of other medical conditions such as liver disease.

What Happens When You Take These Beverages?

When you take these drinks as a diabetes patient, your body stores excess energy that is derived from these beverages. In this case, you gain unwanted weight which is one of the contributing factors to diabetes. This is what happens when you consume drinks and beverages that have high levels of sugar:

• When you consume high levels of glucose there is increased demand for insulin.
• Increased production of insulin, in the long run, will wear out the pancreas.
• Increased glucose levels can lead to insulin resistance.

Key Takeaway

When consuming these sweetened beverages, controlling diabetes can be a challenge. This is because such sugar is broken down easily. This increases blood sugars in the body and ultimately insulin resistance. Therefore, it is critical to consume little amount of sweetened beverages and do physical activities.

2. Avoid High Consumption of Bacon Food With Diabetes

Bacon is a delicacy that is loved by many. However, with diabetes, this is one of the foods that you need to forego. Research has indicated a link between bacon consumption and diabetes. Processed bacon in particular can predispose you to type 2 diabetes. Studies also show that the consumption of processed red meat increases the chances of diabetes and heart disease by 42%. Therefore processed food, particularly slices of bacon is not good if you have diabetes.

Does That Mean That You Should Never Eat Bacon With Diabetes?

The big question is how often bacon is consumed. Another important aspect is the quantity that is consumed. Therefore, moderation in bacon consumption is highly advocated. These are some of the vital components that you can get from bacon:

Bacon contains calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and fat.

It also has low carbs which are made up of fats and proteins. This combination is ideal for glucose level regulation in the body.

Nutrients such as vitamin B 12, B 6, and zinc can also be found in bacon.

Key Takeaway

Bacon is a good source of proteins. So, little consumption of bacon is encouraged. This ensures that your blood sugar levels are not interfered with. Remember bacon is processed. Hence, enjoy this delicacy but do not overdo it.

3. Avoid Food Rich in Cheese With Diabetes

Research shows that cheese consumption has lots of both calories and fats. Dairy fats are not advisable if you have diabetes since it’s mostly saturated. If you have to consume cheese it’s advisable to eat nonfat cheese.

The other disadvantage of cheese is that some people are allergic to dairy products more so if they are diabetic. However, the good thing is that there is food that you can eat instead of cheese. Such food includes nut which is nutritious just like cheese.

What about Sodium Which is Contained in Cheese?

If you are diabetic limitation of sodium intake will help control high blood pressure which is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. Remember; when you have high blood pressure there is a likelihood of developing other complications. Some of these complications are diabetes and kidney problems.

Are There Other Dangers of Cheese Consumption?

Studies have also shown that high-fat content in cheese can also cause breast cancer. Moreover, high consumption of dairy products can cause prostate cancer. That means that the males who consume 3 or more dairy products are at a higher chance of having prostate cancer as compared to those who do not consume dairy products.

Key Takeaway

If you have to eat cheese, the natural ones are the best. The natural ones have little fat and sodium. It is also critical to do regular physical exercise to shed excess weight.

4.6 Food To Avoid With Diabetes-Fried food

If you eat fried meat with diabetes there is a likelihood of suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Research by the Harvard School of public health shows that those who consume fried meat increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Moreover, eating a fried diet away from your home also worsens the situation. This is because the oil cooking such meals may not be fresh. Such oil gets absorbed easily in the body hence contributing to high cholesterol and increased weight gain.

What about The Cooking oil?

The cooking oil breaks down during the cooking process. This contributes to the absorption of unhealthy compounds in the body. When such compounds find their way into the body you are likely to have a ballooning waistline and elevated blood pressure. It can also lead to increased levels of cholesterol in the body and increased levels of oxidative stress.

What is Recommended in Case You Have Diabetes?

The dietician recommends boiled eggs instead of fried ones.

Poached chicken in place of fried chicken.

Beef stew rather than grilled steak.

Key Takeaway

It is important to avoid fried food if you are diabetic to avoid unnecessary weight gain and cardiovascular diseases.

If possible it is very important to stay away from restaurant food as they use it more than once and it is also used to cook various delicacies.

5. White Bread With Diabetes

Bread is one of the key components of breakfast in almost every household around the globe. Almost all bread sold in stores and supermarkets is good in terms of nutritional content. That means such bread can be taken by anyone. However, if you have problems controlling your glucose level, then there are breads that are not good for your health. White bread is one particular snack that you should avoid at all costs.

Why Happens When You Eat White Bread?

White bread comes from refined flour. When the floor is refined, you are likely to have elevated blood sugar levels and hence diabetes. Studies also show that rice and pasta can raise blood sugar. One thing to note here is that bread is made from flour that is processed. Processed flour contains very little fiber. Ideally, the floor should be unprocessed because it has fiber. Fiber is very important in your body as it helps slow down the assimilation of glucose in the body’s metabolism.

Key Takeaway

It is critical to consider food that is rich in fiber content. For instance, you can eat brown bread in place of white bread. Foods such as spaghetti and white rice are also delicacies that you should avoid if you are diabetic.

Fiber is also important in your body because it enhances improved digestion in general. Food that contains fiber can also help control blood sugar levels in your body.

6. Avoid  Fruit Juice Food With Diabetes

Fruit juice is considered a healthy drink as it is rich in many nutrients that are required by the body. However, you should avoid such drinks with diabetes. This is because such juice contains a lot of sugar which can increase your blood sugar level.

What Happens When You Take Fruit Juices With Diabetes?

The most common problem associated with fruit juice consumption is high blood sugar in your body. This means that when you drink fruit juices, there is a likelihood of being diabetic. As much as fruit juices are a good source of nutrients, they have a high level of sugar which is harmful to your health. Moreover, fruit juices lack fiber. This is an important component that slows the absorption of sugars in the digestive system. Such a mechanism reduces the spiking of glucose levels in your body since the absorption is in bits. One thing to note here is that the fiber is removed from the fruit during the juicing process.

Key Takeaway

It is very important to monitor and control your carbs intake to maintain a balanced sugar level.

You can consider fruits and vegetables that have low carbs in your juices to reduce your consumption of too much sugar. If your diabetes is properly managed it is ok to take a small amount of juice in your menu.

Conclusion

With diabetes, you should avoid sugar-sweetened beverages and high consumption of bacon and cheese. Other food that you should avoid with diabetes includes fried food, white bread, and fruit juices. Lastly, it is critical to consult your doctor for diabetes screening for early diagnosis and management in case the results turn out to be positive.

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