The extreme elevation of blood sugar levels is a condition called hyperglycemia. It mostly affects diabetics, but it can be an issue for others as well. After eating, your body converts carbohydrates into glucose, which is stored in your liver and muscles to be used for energy. However, if you produce more glucose than can be stored, your blood sugar may rise quickly. Certain food and beverages are likely to cause this spike in blood sugar.
Sugary Snacks
Sugary snacks found in Western diets are one of the biggest perpetrators of elevated blood sugar. When you consume these simple sugars, they enter your bloodstream more quickly than complex carbohydrates, creating high blood sugar levels. Popular foods and drinks that contain simple sugars include candies, sodas, fruit juice, ice cream, pastries, pies, cakes and cookies.
Alcohol
Alcohol can help relieve hypertension; particularly in those who drink heavily. However, even small amounts of alcohol can spike your blood sugar levels. Alcohol is broken down by your liver, into simple sugars. These sugars quickly filter into your bloodstream and immediately raise your blood sugar.
Refined Grains
Your body converts all carbs, simple and complex, into glucose. Even grains like wheat, oatmeal and corn may increase blood sugar, though not with the same severity as refined sugars. Avoiding foods like white rice, bagels, pizza crusts and high sugar cereals can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Starchy Vegetables
High-starch veggies, like white rice and potatoes, may cause blood sugar levels to increase. They do not contain as much fiber such as whole grain breads, wheat pasta and oat bran. Fiber helps clean excess sugars from your blood, so incorporate more fiber-rich grains and veggies into your diet, instead.
