Diabetes is a chronic disease that has attacked millions, from children to the elderly, in various cultures. Many people deal with diabetes by taking daily insulin, others can treat their disease with pills, while yet others try to treat diabetes with a super, clean, healthy diet and exercise.
No one is to say what the best way is, that is up to the physician and patient. However, no matter what way you choose to treat diabetes, a healthy diet can only aid in that particular treatment. Eating the right foods, avoiding the wrong foods, and an exercise program that fits your age and fitness level will help to alleviate some of the symptoms.
If you choose to combine your diabetic treatment with natural care, here are 5- plus foods you should avoid:
1. Sugary Beverages
Sodas, bottled juices, and pre-sweetened lemonades and iced teas are at the top of this list. These pre-sweetened drinks usually contain way too much sugar for anyone, let alone those who suffer from diabetes. They will cause you to spike in energy and then the sugar will later cause you to crash. For a diabetic, this cycle could be life-threatening.
2. White bread, White pasta, White rice
These are three very common foods that many people eat every day; they are, however, very dangerous, for diabetics. All three of these carb-filled foods, turn into sugar in the body, and we know that sugar should be avoided just like soda pops and pre-sweetened juices. Studies showed that a meal containing a high carb bagel, not only increased blood sugar levels in diabetics, but also decreased brain function in those suffering with Type 2 diabetes.
3. Fruit-flavored Yogurts
Yes, plain or Greek yogurts are healthy for most people. It’s wise for everyone to stay away from the artificially colored, highly sweetened yogurts, but especially diabetics. If you are going to keep or add yogurt to your diet, keep it healthy by eating only plain and natural yogurt and plain, natural Greek yogurt.
4. Flavored Coffee Drinks
Flavored coffee drinks are just as bad for diabetics as sugary sodas. If you are a coffee drinker, learn to drink it sugar-free. Stay away from the flavored and pre-sweetened lattes and mocha drinks. Iced coffees are also best to avoid as they are usually filled with sugary flavors. There are natural ways to add flavor to your coffees that don’t involve sugar, such as fresh cinnamon, a fresh vanilla stick, soy milk, and coconut milk. Make sure all these products are natural and unsweetened.
5. Honey and Maple Syrup
Many people think that honey and maple syrup are healthier than sugar. For diabetics, especially, this is not true. Honey, maple syrup, and even the newly popular agave syrup or nectar, are foods that diabetics should avoid, just like white sugar. Here are some numbers to show you the dangers of using these popular food items as sugar substitutes:
The carb counts of these sweeteners:
White Sugar 1 tablespoon = 12.6 grams
Agave Nectar 1 tablespoon = 16 grams
Honey 1 tablespoon = 17 grams
Maple syrup 1 tablespoon = 13 grams
Of course, there are quite a few food groups that can cause danger to diabetic sufferers, but those that contain sugar and high carbohydrate counts that turn into sugar within the system, are some of the main groups of foods to avoid when adding natural treatments to diet.