Luckily, life with diabetes doesn’t have to be flavor free.
‘Can I still eat my favorite foods?'"
says Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, author ofEat What You Love Diabetes Cookbook.
Shutterstock
“And the answer from me was always ‘Yes!’
Some of these recommendations may change if you are suffering from low blood sugar.
“White sandwich bread is a refined grain, not a whole grain.
Shutterstock
Swap white bread for whole grain orEzekiel bread.
French fries, for example, are a no-go.
“Fried foods are high in simple carbs and fat, which is a tough combination for diabetics.
Photo: Hedy Phillips, Eat This, Not That!
One of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe is to limit your saturated fat intake.
Things like lard, palm oil, and high-fat meats and dairy products should all be consumed in moderation.
When buying packaged goods, look for hydrogenated oils on the ingredient label.
Shutterstock
“Within the first 10 minutes of drinking a soda, about 10 teaspoons of sugar hit the system.
Diet Soda
Sorrythis option isn’t safe either.
Jacobson adds, “Diet sodas aren’t much better.
Shutterstock
Sweeteners are 200 to 600 times sweeter than sugar and signal an insulin release from the pancreas.
But salt plays a role in diabetes health, too.
Experts believe the reasoning is because artificial sweeteners are anywhere from 180-20,000 times sweeter than table sugar.
Shutterstock
This causes you to neglect those foods and go after foods that satisfy that desire for sweetness.
Insulin resistance increases the risk of developing bang out 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
Gluten-Free Foods
Believe it or not,gluten-freedoesn’t always mean the dish is healthier.
Shutterstock
That’s much more than theAmerican Heart Association’s 6 teaspoon recommendation.”
To keep your glucose levels in check, opt for low-sugar or sugar-free versions if you must use creamer.
That’s over 680 milligrams!
Shutterstock
(And, let’s be honest, who only uses two slices?)
Pretzels
Speaking of pretzels, this addicting snack isn’t the best choice for diabetics either.
The one-two punch that makes pretzels a no-go for diabetics?
Courtesy of Shutterstock
Energy Drinks
And the reason isn’t only because they taste awful.
The underlying mechanism behind caffeine’s influence on blood sugar is currently unknown.
But not all teas are created equalespecially those sold in bottles.
Shutterstock
Take Arizona Iced Tea With Lemon Flavor as an example.
Dried Fruit
Don’t be fooled.
Yes, these sweet treats are produced by nature, but they sure aren’t innocent.
Shutterstock
Real fruit contains nutrients like water and fiber, which both help to fill you up.
Most fruit-flavored yogurts on the market contain little precious fruit and are sweetened with sugar instead.
It’s not just fruit-flavored yogurts that are the culprits.
Shutterstock
Theeasy guide to cutting back on sugaris finally here.
Potato Chips
There’s a reason potato chips are one of the most addicting junk foods.
They’re pulverized, soaked in fat, and loaded with salt.
Shutterstock
Pancakes
Pancakes are a breakfast staple but they’re almost completely void of nutrition.
“Sugar and saturated fat in combination make the blood sugar spike last longer,” Anziani says.
“This is an easy way to raise blood sugar.”
Shutterstock
You’re better off opting for unflavored plainGreek yogurtand adding chia seeds and a handful of blueberries.
Skim Milk
Most people assume skim milk is better since all the fat has been taken out.
But that’s not the case for diabetics.
Shutterstock
“When you take out the fat, this becomes a primarily carbohydrate beverage,” Anziani says.
Fat-Free Vinaigrettes
A salad seems like a healthy meal until you destroy it with a caloric dressing.
Trying to find a diabetic-friendly dressing is like navigating a minefield of sugar and fat.
Shutterstock
But even fat-free options aren’t always better for you.
“That’s usually going to be some sort of starch and lots of sugar.”
Avoid thoseunhealthy bottled dressingsand drizzle your salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead.
Shutterstock
Cook with extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil instead.
Snack on a low-sugar fruit instead, such as blueberries, raspberries, or an apple.
In addition to diabetes,inflammationhas been linked to other health complications such as obesity and cancer.
Shutterstock
Anziani says this combination of refined carbs and saturated fat will lead to inflammation in the body and brain.
Macaroni and cheese also has a high glycemic load.
However, flavored oatmeal is usually processed and contains added sugar and other sweetened ingredients.
Shutterstock
This can spike blood sugar, warns Anziani.
“Think of these as highly refined flour products, which are almost instantaneously absorbed,” Anziani says.
“Mixing [alcohol] with juices and sodas can cause blood sugar to spike,” she says.
Shutterstock
Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheeseis often made with highly refined white bread and lots of fatty cheeses.
Like mac and cheese, grilled cheese is nothing more than refined flour and saturated fat.
Anziani warns that this can lead to inflammation of the body and also spikes in blood sugar.
Shutterstock
Jams and Jellies
Jam and jellyis a double-whammy for people with diabetes.
Honey
Don’t be fooled by the fact that honey is “all-natural.”
It’s still pure fructose, which is a sugar Anziani says.
Shutterstock
It will spike blood sugar just like regular sugar will, and is still processed in the liver.
Sweetened Cereals
Sure, cereal is a convenient breakfast option.
But even so-called “healthy” cereals can be dangerous for diabetics.
Shutterstock
Not to mention the sugary cereals that can have more sugar than candy per serving.
Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts are nothing more than packaged and processed pastries.
Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milkcan be a good post-workout recovery drink, but not for diabetics.
Shutterstock
And yes, even stovetop popcorn is still a carbohydrate-ridden snack.
These processed sweets will spike blood sugar and lead to inflammation.
Ice Cream
Aside from all the sugar, ice cream is usually packed with artery-clogging saturated fat.
Shutterstock
It can also be a problem for people who mindlessly eat.
“Many will eat the whole container.”
“The protein content is also really low at 2 grams per 2 tablespoons.
Shutterstock
Another alternative is other nut butters where cocoa is added without additional sugar.”
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Zoe Strozewski for Eat This, Not That!
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Amazon
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Photo: Publix
Shutterstock
Cal’s Creamery/Facebook
Shutterstock
