Type 2 diabetes: 4 foods you should avoid to lower your blood sugar

Type 2 diabetics is a condition that affects the body’s response to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood.

The body may not produce enough insulin and this causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

If type 2 diabetes is left untreated or if it is poorly managed, severe health complications may ensue, including kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and stroke.

Eating a healthy diet is one way to manage blood sugar levels. Eating a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and getting enough exercise will ensure blood sugar levels remain stable.

When it comes to foods to avoid, what are four of the worst? Here’s a list of them below:

1. Trans fat
Trans fat are found in margarines, creamers, frozen dinners, and spreads. They are created by adding hydrogen to unsaturated fatty acids in order to make them more stable.

Although trans fats don’t directly raise blood sugar levels, they are linked to increased inflammation and insulin resistance.

2. White bread
White bread is high in carbohydrates and is a processed food. Eating bread and other refined-flour foods has been shown to significantly increase blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

White bread contains little fibre which helps slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

3. Sugar-sweetened beverages
Sugary beverages are the worst drink choice for someone with type 2 diabetes. Sugary beverages are very high in carbs, with a total of 38 grams per can.

In addition, they are loaded with fructose, which is strongly linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

4. Fruit juice
Although fruit juice is often considered a healthy beverage, its effect on blood sugar are actually similar to those of sodas and other sugary drinks.

In some cases, fruit juice is even higher in sugar and carbs than soda. Like sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juice is loaded with fructose, the type of sugar that drives insulin resistance, obesity and heart disease.

For those with type 2 diabetes, knowing what foods to avoid can sometimes seem difficult, however, it is crucial to know how much sugar and carbs each food contains.

The main goals should include staying away from unhealthy fats, liquid sugars, processed grains and other foods that contain refined carbs.

If you find it hard to change your diet, a dietician might be able to help.