Diabetes affects how your body produces or uses insulin, and this can cause abnormal fluctuations in blood glucose, the primary source of energy for your body. A well-balanced diet along with prescription medications helps you manage diabetes. Having diabetes does not mean you have to deny yourself tasty foods you once enjoyed, it just means you have to carefully plan your meals to prevent unnecessary spikes or dips in your blood glucose. It also means avoiding unhealthy foods that can increase your risk of health complications.
Fried Chicken, French Fries and Bacon
Foods high in saturated fats raise your blood cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease, and people with diabetes are especially vulnerable to this risk. Saturated fat is found especially in animal-based foods such as red meat, poultry and pork. Eating fried varieties of these foods further increases your saturated fat intake. Replace fried chicken with skinless baked or grilled chicken. Skip the fast food french fries, which are normally cooked with fatty oils and make your own version of oven-baked french fries from scratch. Exchange pork bacon for leaner turkey bacon.
Ham, Bologna, Hog Dogs
Cured and pickled meats are not only high in fat but also processed with additional sodium. Excess sodium in your diet increases your risk of high blood pressure and fluid imbalance, which can cause swelling of your extremities. Prepare baked chicken breasts or turkey ahead of time and use these in your sandwiches instead of processed meats with additives. If you enjoy the occasional cold cut or cured meat, choose lean and low-sodium varieties.
White Grains, Potato Chips and Pretzels
White rice, white bread or pasta and crunchy junk food snacks can cause a rapid spike in your blood glucose, and some varieties are high in sodium. Swap the refined grains for whole grains like wheat bread or pasta, brown rice and bran cereals. Eat whole grains with a lean protein such as grilled fish or low-fat dairy to further slow glucose absorption. If you crave a crunchy snack, eat carrot sticks or celery instead of chips and pretzels.
Packaged Cookies, Snack Cakes and Doughuts
Packaged cookies and snack cakes often contain trans fatty acids such as partially hydrogenated oil and margarine, or the saturated fats in butter, both of which tend to increase your cholesterol levels. These snack foods may also contain added sugars like high-fructose corn syrup. Pastries such as muffins and doughnuts should be avoided as well because of their high fat content and additives. Satisfy your sweet tooth with healthier treats like freshly cut strawberries, a mixed fruit cup of melons, grapes and berries, or bake your own lowfat, low-sugar treats from scratch.
Soda and Sugary Drinks
Regular soda has a high sugar content, which is the bane of your diabetes management. Avoid full-sugar soda altogether. Diet soda has artificial sweetener, which takes the sugar issue out of the equation, but excess consumption of diet beverages can still increase the risk of sugar cravings and eating other unhealthy foods. Limit your diet soda consumption to one drink a week if you must satiate the urge, and stick to mostly water and the occasional fresh natural fruit juice.
