- Avoid high-calorie desserts and snacks such as chips, cookies, and cakes.
- Reduce the size of your meals.
- Avoid alcohol, or drink only in moderation.
- Use cooking methods such as roasting rather than frying.
If you have diabetes, watching what you eat is the first step to controlling your blood sugar levels. Your blood sugar level reflects what you eat.
If you are eating healthy, your blood glucose will likely remain in normal limits. Otherwise, consult with your doctor. If your diet is unhealthy, you will end up with high blood sugar levels.
The aim should be to avoid any food that can cause your blood sugar to spike. This means avoiding anything that has sugar in it. Below is a list of few things that are should be avoided.
- Candies
- Soft drinks
- Canned fruits with heavy sugar syrups
- Fruit rolls
- Fruit punch/fruit drinks
- Jam, jelly or any other similar product
- Sweetened tea
- Coffee with sugar
- Chocolate drinks/shakes
- Energy drinks
- Ice cream
- Any other kinds of desserts
These foods can spike your blood sugar minutes after you have eaten them. This means you will be at a greater risk of any diabetes-related complication. Besides, sweets and sugary products, you must also avoid carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates break down to form glucose which collects in your blood and helps in increasing your blood sugar level. Here are some starchy foods that you should avoid:
- White rice
- Bread
- Potato
- Pasta
- White flour tortillas
- Cereals with little whole grains and lots of sugar
Also, you must avoid foods that have high levels of bad cholesterol. Eating lots of fatty and fried foods can lead to heart diseases, more so if you have diabetes. Some examples of bad cholesterol are:
- Fried meats
- French fries
- Pork bacon
- Beans made with lard
- Any other product that has trans fat
There are healthy alternatives that can replace all these foods. They will help you to lose weight, increase your energy levels and maintain your blood sugar level.