ADA Foods to Avoid

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can cause fatigue, susceptibility to skin infections, numbness in your extremities, blurred vision, heart disease and poor wound healing. Untreated diabetes may eventually lead to coma or death, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." The symptoms of diabetes are primarily caused by elevated glucose and cholesterol levels in your bloodstream, and can typically be controlled by diet. The American Diabetes Association provides recommendations for foods to avoid while following a diabetic diet. Check with your doctor before eliminating foods from your diet to control diabetes.

Saturated Fats

Saturated fats are found in numerous foods common in the standard American diet. These foods include chicken legs and wings, pork sausage and bacon, gravy, palm and coconut oil, cream and butter. Saturated fats can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels, which can clog your arteries and contribute to heart disease. Eliminating or reducing your consumption of foods high in saturated fats may help lower blood cholesterol and reduce your risk of diabetes-related heart attack and stroke.

Refined Flours

Refined flours are grain products that have been heavily processed and bleached to improve their texture. Flour refining strips grains of vitamins and dietary fiber necessary for proper digestion, organ function and management of cholesterol levels. It also turns the carbohydrates in grains into simple carbohydrates, which can contribute to elevated blood glucose levels. Reducing or eliminating refined flours, found in white breads, pastas, bagels, pastries, doughnuts and cakes, may help you avoid fatigue and mental confusion associated with diabetes.

Trans Fats

Trans fats are oils that have been infused with hydrogen to convert them into solids. Although the hydrogenation process extends the shelf life of oils, it makes these oils unhealthy, particularly for diabetics. Trans fats can increase blood cholesterol levels, causing fatty deposits in your arteries and increasing the workload on your heart muscles. Stick margarine, shortening, snack crackers, frosting and baked goods typically contain trans fats. Fast foods, particularly fried items such as onion rings, french fries and fried chicken and fish, also commonly contain these fats. Limit or avoid trans fats to help avoid heart disease.