According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects millions of Americans and may be potentially life-threatening. The question of living a full life with diabetes for those who have just been diagnosed is often asked. It can come as a shock and can be overwhelming. In short, the disease involves the dysfunction of how your body produces and regulates a hormone called insulin. Typically, your pancreas creates enough insulin to help your body process and store the fat and sugar that you consume. People with diabetes have a malfunction that stops this process. This can cause damage throughout the body.
Just like any other type of health disorder, eating a diet composed of all the right foods will ensure that you will live a healthy and normal life. This blog post will shed light on the foods you will do best to avoid if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Living a Full Life with Diabetes: Foods to Avoid Eating
1 – White Rice
White rice is a refined carbohydrate made of ground grains of rice. It is a staple food in many cultures. The reason why it is not good for diabetes patients is that it has a higher glycemic index than any other type of carbohydrate. Its glycemic index is 126, the highest out of all the carbohydrates.
What this means is that your blood sugar level will shoot up very quickly in the bloodstream, making it hard to manage and control. It will cause you to experience excess hunger and cravings. While white rice is gluten and nut-free, it will spike your body’s insulin levels, making you more prone to developing diabetes.
2 – Dairy
Dairy products make up a large part of the Western diet. The top dairy product consumed in the US is low-fat milk. However, dairy products are not good for diabetics. They will help you regain weight and will cause your blood sugar level to soar.
The reason why dairy products are not good for diabetics is that they contain a lot of saturated fats. These fats will cause insulin resistance.
3 – Red Meat
Red meat is another food that diabetics should avoid. Red meat is high in saturated fats. Like dairy products, red meat is also high in calories.
While we need protein, too much red meat will hurt your health. Red meat has been linked to several health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
4 – Tropical Fruits
Tropical fruits are very high in sugar. While they are rich in nutrients, they should be avoided because of the high sugar content.
Tropical fruits are generally high in sugar. Research studies have shown that the consumption of tropical fruits by diabetics resulted in the impairment of the body’s ability to use insulin, inhibiting their body’s ability to regulate its blood sugar levels.
5 – Processed Meat
Processed meat, such as bacon and sausage, are some of the worst foods for diabetics. Because meat is processed, that means that it has gone through an intense heat treatment. This changes the proteins inside the meat. In addition, these products are high in saturated fats and sodium.
One study has shown that processed meats are associated with the development of colon cancer. In the end, it is better to eat fresh meats such as those found in your local farmer’s market.
Conclusion
If you have diabetes or have just been diagnosed, then this article contains some very good advice for the foods that you should avoid. Diabetes can be very unpleasant and sometimes very scary, but with a proper diet, you can live a normal life. If you are on a diet, make sure to consult with your physician to make sure that foods are safe.
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