Foods That Can Worsen Type 2 Diabetes

Foods That Can Worsen Type 2 Diabetes

When diabetes goes out of control, it can have chronic consequences. It can affect the heart and kidney, and can even cause blindness in severe cases. With type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or resists it, as a result of which the cells do not get adequate amounts of glucose. This causes an imbalance in the body’s blood sugar levels. A wrong diet can further exacerbate the impact of blood sugar levels, so it’s imperative for those with type 2 diabetes to know what foods to avoid or eat in moderation. A treatment option that can be recommended by a doctor is diabetes drug Trajenta. It’s possible to even get a discount for empagliflozin and metformin.However, there are also diabetes meds that cause tardive dyskinesia .

The below-mentioned list comprises a list of foods that can complicate the condition of a Type 2 diabetes patient:

  • Sugar

A rather obvious one, sugars—especially processed and refined—have a dramatic impact on the diets of Type 2 diabetics. Sugar is an ingredient that is found in abundance in candy, desserts, soft drinks, maple syrup, honey, and other sweeteners. These foods cause an instant spike in sugar levels, which is balanced by a rise in insulin production. Insulin is a fat-storing hormone that converts carbohydrates in the system to fats.

  • Fruit juices

While fruit juices are generally considered healthy, they—including ‘all-fruit’ juices—are packed with fructose or natural sugars. These sugars are quite concentrated dried fruits as well. These can cause a significant rise in the body’s blood sugar levels and can even encourage its resistance to insulin. Also, fruit juices lack the fiber that is typically found in whole fruits before they are juiced.

  • Low-quality carbohydrates

Foods that fall under this category include white rice, white bread, pasta, and just about anything that contains refined grains. These refined starches are low in fiber and can be easily digested, leading to an instant rise in the body’s sugar levels. Substitute these carbohydrates with complicated, high-fiber ones, such as brown rice, barley, oatmeal, which are rich in fiber and hence take longer to be broken down, thereby minimizing the impact on the blood sugar levels.

  • High-fat foods

Foods that are high in saturated fats should be avoided by all means, as they lead to high cholesterol levels; and type 2 patients are more prone to heart diseases. It further lowers their insulin resistance, in turn resulting in high blood sugar levels. Trans fats from packaged foods such as muffins, cold cuts, cream, yogurt, frozen dinners, peanut butter, etc. can also contribute to insulin resistance and inflammation.

  • Breakfast cereals

Contrary to their health claims, breakfast cereals are high in processed carbohydrates and sugar, and low in essential nutrients. In most cases, these cereals don’t feel filling either. Dieticians instead recommend a low-carbohydrate, protein-based breakfast.

  • Alcohol

Alcohol poses the risk of lowering levels of blood sugar in the body. In some cases, it can even interfere with the medications one may be on. Therefore, it is best to consume alcohol in moderation and discuss the same with a doctor.