Keeping Your Blood Sugar Levels In Check
A staggering 37.3 million Americans have diabetes, making it one of the most prevalent health concerns in the United States. There is no known cure for the disease, but you can take steps to reduce your risk of getting it or limit the symptoms if you already have it. Let's dive into foods that cause diabetes; but first, what is it?
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that can have significant impacts on your body and wellness if not properly managed. It’s the number one cause of kidney failure and the seventh most common reason people die in the United States.
Diabetes diagnoses are on the rise, with the number of adults being deemed diabetic having doubled in just 20 years. The recent cultural shift to sugary and processed foods is to blame.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when your body accidentally stops making insulin. With low insulin levels, your body begins to feel tired and hungry, and you may experience difficulty concentrating. Type 1 is the least common form of diabetes, with no more than one in ten people experiencing this type.
At least nine in every ten people who have diabetes have the Type 2 variety. In this instance, your body fails to keep blood sugar levels normal, which can have a big effect on your wellness. However, not everyone gets symptoms, meaning it can be difficult to spot this type of diabetes. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and minimized through losing weight, doing regular fitness and eating healthy food.
10 Foods That Cause Diabetes
There are ten main foods that you should seek to reduce, avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. Read on to discover what they are.
1. Processed Red Meat
Regularly eating just a small amount of processed red meat can significantly increase your risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. It is because processed red meat contains high levels of preservatives and trans fats.
It’s best practice to avoid or limit the amount of red meat consumed. Processed foods include hot dogs, sausages, ham, bacon and pepperoni.
2. Sodas
Sodas contain high levels of sugar, which can cause or worsen both types of diabetes. While diet soda alternatives are better, they contain artificial sweeteners, which can worsen the effects of this chronic health condition.
3. Dairy Products
Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are high in fat and carbohydrates, which should be avoided by those with diabetes.
Opting for low-fat milk options will help, but the best practice is to cut down on the number of dairy products you eat. Reducing the number of days you include cheese in your meals, for example, will have a major impact on your health and limit the risk of diabetes.
4. Candy
Dentists have told us for years to eat less candy and chocolate. High-sugar foods rot your teeth and cause weight gain, but did you know they are also a leading cause of diabetes? Swapping out candy for fruit and vegetable snacks is advised.
5. Alcohol
Drinking alcohol increases your blood sugar levels, which can cause you to develop chronic diabetes. Moderate amounts of alcohol may cause your blood sugar to rise, while excessive drinking can cause the opposite - both of which should be avoided.
6. White Bread
White bread contains simple carbs that, if sampled too regularly, can cause diabetes. It heightens your sugar levels while providing little nutritional value to balance out that damage to your body.
7. Eggs
Eating just a few eggs a day won’t increase your risk of getting diabetes, but eating lots of them - such as in an egg and cress sandwich - can have a huge effect on your body’s ability to prevent diabetes. It happens because eggs contain cholesterol that should be avoided in large quantities.
8. Dried Fruits
The issue with dried fruit is that you may eat two or three dried apricots where one regular apricot would have to suffice; this causes us to digest more sugar, heightening the risk of diabetes.
Drying fruit reduces the fiber content, preventing our bodies from effectively regulating blood sugar; this is a problem because increased blood sugar levels are the leading cause of diabetes.
9. Margarine
Lots of margarine spreads are made with trans fats, which cause diabetes to develop. It’s best to avoid margarine as much as possible, instead opting for fruit-based spreads such as avocado.
10. Ketchup
A staple of the American fast food industry, ketchup contains vast quantities of sugar, which can make it difficult for diabetics to digest. It’s best to avoid ketchup and other table sauces where possible. Instead of ketchup, why not add fresh tomatoes to your burger?
Diabetes Disruptors
Avoid eating the above foods to give yourself the best chance of reducing your risk of diabetes. The reality is that enjoying the occasional bacon fry-up or soda is not a recipe for diabetes, however, these foods should be sampled in moderation.