A common question asked by people recently diagnosed with diabetes is “what foods should i avoid if i am diabetic?” While many people think that people who have diabetes cannot eat any foods that contain sugar, the truth is that no foods need to be totally avoided.
All foods including cake, candy, and other foods that are commonly thought to be off-limits for people with diabetes turn to glucose. After eating, the person’s blood glucose level rises.
Certain foods do have a tendency to cause spikes in blood sugar levels. These potentially problematic foods do not need to be avoided, but can be eaten in moderation.
Eating foods that contain significant amounts of refined sugar can cause spikes in blood glucose levels, therefore they should be limited. Fruits, white pasta, and white bread can also cause spikes in blood glucose levels.
In many cases, eating protein such as meats can help reduce the severity of the blood sugar spikes caused by certain foods. For example, eating white pasta can cause a blood glucose level spike, but eating it with protein can decrease the resulting blood glucose level.
If the diabetic patient is overweight, they can often benefit from limiting the amount of fat in their diet. Excess weight can make blood glucose levels more difficult to manage.
The dietitian or nutritionist can help the diabetic patient develop an appropriate diabetic diet to help the patient lose weight if necessary. The diabetic diet will also help reduce blood glucose level spikes.
A dietitian or nutritionist can help the diabetic patient learn how to incorporate their favorite foods even if those foods are often considered off-limits for people with diabetes. A healthier recipe for the food or a substitute for the food can be used to lower the foods negative impact on the person’s blood glucose level.
A diabetic patient should try not to focus too much on foods that they feel they cannot eat. Instead, they should try to enjoy using healthy recipes and finding their favorite healthy foods. Eating a variety of food can also help the diabetic patient feel less restricted.
