Foods Diabetics Should Probably Stay Away From

Diet Soda

If a diabetic had the choice between regular soda and diet soda, they are very likely to choose diet soda. But both of these have their problems, and if a diabetic wants to keep their insulin levels healthy, it's probably better if they don't drink any soda at all. The American Diabetes Association reported that people who drank diet drinks were 67% more likely to get type 2 diabetes.

Also, diet soda has been linked to a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy, which can make those who already have diabetes go blind.

Artificial Sweeteners

There are many different kinds of foods for diabetics, however they are usually sold as low-calorie or low-sugar. This is definitely true for artificial sweeteners, which have been marketed for a long time as a diabetic-friendly sweetener that diabetics can use instead of actual sugar. But if you're diabetic and habitually add this stuff to your coffee, we have some bad news for you: some artificial sweeteners can still change your insulin levels.

But only some artificial sweeteners are in this group. Tagatose and Stevia are two well-known options that are safe for diabetics because they don't change the levels of glucose in the blood.

Low-Fat Milk

It's hard to know what to drink when there are so many kinds of milk, such low-fat, full-fat, and plant-based. This is especially true for those with diabetes. There was a time when doctors told diabetics to consume low-fat milk, but that has changed. Studies have shown that low-fat milk isn't the greatest choice for diabetics. That's because low-fat milks add more sugar instead of fat, which can be bad for people with diabetes.

Because of this, people with diabetes should drink whole milk instead than low-fat milk. This is especially true when a Swedish study indicated that eating a lot of dairy could lower your risk of getting diabetes.

Flavored Yogurt

A bowl of yogurt and granola is a great way to start the day for some people, but diabetics should be careful about the yogurt they buy at the store. Diabetics can safely eat whole, unsweetened yogurt, but flavored yogurts with additions can raise the glycemic index. This is especially true if you add sugary things like fruit and syrup to the flavored yogurts.

Because of this, people with diabetes should spend their mornings creating their own tasty yogurt. To keep your insulin levels in line, you can do this by adding nuts and nutritious granola to the plain yogurt.

Canned Fruits and Vegetables

Canned fruits and vegetables appear like a good and cheap way to receive fruits and vegetables in a world where they are hard to find and pricey. There was a time when canned healthy foods were thought to be just as good for you as fresh fruits and vegetables, but study has identified certain problems with them. That's because sugar and salt are often used to keep canned foods fresh for longer.

Adding any form of hazardous preservative to a can is not going to help a diabetic. Especially when they also have bisphenol A (BPA), which is bad for you and can make you more likely to get type 2 diabetes.

Coffee

Most folks need a new cup of Joe to get their day going. But if you're a diabetic, you should be careful when you consume coffee, whether you choose a thin latte, cappuccino, espresso, or even a matcha latte. Caffeine can naturally make your blood sugar levels less stable and higher, sometimes by as much as 8%. However, coffee itself won't make you more likely to have diabetes. This is exactly what you don't want to happen, of course.

Adding cream and syrups to coffee, of course, makes it sweeter. This is why diabetics who still want to drink coffee should aim to consume decaf black coffee as much as possible.