Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to various sources, about 300 million people around the world are struggling with it. In the world, the number of diabetic patients exceeds five million people and this figure is constantly growing.
The concept of diabetes includes a whole group of endocrine diseases that are associated with a violation of the process of glucose uptake in the body. This violation leads to a lack of insulin and, as a result, to the development of hyperglycemia syndrome – a persistent increase in blood glucose.
Diabetes has several types and forms. The most common is type 2 diabetes, which is diagnosed in 90% of all cases. In this type of diabetes, insulin therapy is not required, but constant monitoring of sugar levels and a strict diet are required. Moreover, diabetics should not eat many foods at all. We present you 10 categories of foods that should not be eaten with diabetes.
Sugar, honey, sugary desserts
All foods that contain sugar should be excluded from the diet for people with type 2 diabetes. It will not be easy for those with a sweet tooth, because this group includes chocolate, sweets, marmalade, ice cream, and jams. However, do not despair: modern cooking offers dieters many options for the “right” desserts. Finding them in the store is not always easy, but it is quite possible to cook them yourself.
Corn
Most diabetics are familiar with the term “glycemic index”. It indicates the degree of influence of carbohydrates of a certain product on the level of glucose in the patient’s blood. In corn, beloved by many, this index is 70.2. For comparison, this figure is 80 for sweet curd mass. That is why corn for patients with type 2 diabetes is strictly prohibited, including in the form of cereal, muesli and popcorn.
Watermelon and other fruits high in fast carbohydrates
The list, fortunately, is short: bananas, pineapples, watermelon, melon, mangoes, dates, figs and raisins. From these fruits (and dried fruits) patients with diabetes should stay as far away as possible.
Potatoes and beets
Diabetics should also be careful with vegetables, because some of them dramatically raise blood glucose levels. Potatoes, beets, pumpkin – you should refrain from eating these vegetables.
Rice, millet and semolina
These three cereals also have a high glycemic index, which means they are contraindicated for diabetics.
Mutton
Most types of meat and fish are included in the diet of diabetics due to their low carbohydrate content. It is worth abstaining only from lamb, the high fat content of which can cause the development of various pathologies in patients with diabetes.
It is worth remembering that in the case of meat and fish, the method of preparation is of fundamental importance. Smoked, salted and fried foods should not be consumed, because with such processing, even dietary meat and fish turn into real enemies for diabetics.
Yoghurts and sour cream
When choosing dairy products, people with type 2 diabetes need to focus on their fat content. Sweet yogurts, cottage cheese masses, high-fat sour cream and cheese are not the best choice. The rest of dairy and sour-milk products are allowed and even recommended.
White bread
The high content of fast carbohydrates makes wheat flour a dangerous product for diabetics. You should refuse sweet muffins, but bread made from rye flour, wholemeal flour and bran can be eaten.
Fast food
With this type of food, everything is crystal clear and there are no exceptions – fast food for diabetics is strictly prohibited. Actually, like everyone else who values their health and does not want to get problems with digestion and being overweight.
Packaged juices and alcohol
If the label says that juice has a low sugar content, then it should be understood as follows: “juice has a relatively acceptable sugar content for a healthy person.” But for diabetics, store-bought juices are completely prohibited. The same story with alcohol: even if the taste of the drink is by no means sweet, the sugar content in it often rolls over.
Despite the impressive list, people with the second type of diabetes should not despair, because the diet is very diverse. Meat and fish, low-fat dairy products, most vegetables and fruits, small portions of dark chocolate with a high content of cocoa beans, desserts prepared using natural sweeteners – the list of allowed foods is very long.
However, the main thing that a person with diabetes should do before starting a diet is to go to the doctor. After all, the diet depends on many factors, such as the severity of the disease, the activity of the lifestyle, the presence of other diseases. In addition (and this is good news), depending on the condition of the patient, some products from the “forbidden” list are very rare and in small quantities the doctor may well allow. And do not forget that only a doctor can prescribe a correct and complete diet, based precisely on your needs.