If you can work on removing, or at least minimizing these top 10 worst foods from your type 2 diabetes diet, you will find that great things will happen—you’ll lower A1c, lose weight and be able to reduce medications, too!
1. Soda
Soda, also known as sugar sweetened beverages, has been a topic of debate for some time now. Researchers and health experts alike questioning: do they contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic problems?
The answer is a clear YES.
Sodas contain copious amounts of sugar and fructose. Studies show that fructose/sugar is one of the main drivers of type 2 diabetes and it’s horrible complications.
The World Health Organization recommends that added sugar be limited to just 6 teaspoons per day, or 25 g.
A typical soda such as Coca Cola contains 39 g of pure sugar/fructose in a 12 fl oz. / 354 ml can. So just one can of Coke is immediately pushing you way over the recommended sugar intake!
Researchers have found that sodas are linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that affects around 30% of US adults. NAFLD is thought to be directly linked to type 2 diabetes. When we get more fat storing up in the liver, this promotes insulin resistance, high cholesterol, more fat storage in other areas of the body, which means weight gain and various other issues.
Sodas increase risk of type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications (in this study and this study), and they increase insulin resistance (study).
Hypertension or high blood pressure is another metabolic problem that is linked to drinking soda, this includes both sugar-filled sodas and artificially sweetened ones – meaning those diet sodas are really no better.
That may come as a shock, but researchers have found that diet sodas promote weight gain, not weight loss as might be expected. Other studies show diet sodas are linked to higher risk of diabetes. And studies in rats show artificial sweeteners interrupt glucose balance, promoting diabetes.
So regardless of whether it’s a plain old sugary soda, or a diet soda sweetened with aspartame or some other form of artificial sweetener, when it comes to taking control of your diabetes, this is one food/beverage you absolutely want to avoid.
2. Sugar
One of the main reasons soda contributes to weight gain and risk of diabetes is the high sugar and fructose content. As we pointed out above, the World Health Organization recommends that added sugar be limited to just 6 teaspoons per day, or 25 g.
This is not a lot of sugar and is more difficult to achieve than you might imagine.
Why?
Because sugar is hidden in literally every single packaged and processed food we find lining our supermarket shelves. Check out the following 40+ names for sugar.
Even things we don’t think would contain sugar, often do. And this is a problem because many times people don’t even know they are consuming so much sugar.
What type of products do we find sugar in?
- Many sauces and condiments
- Breakfast cereals
- Many crackers
- Microwave meals
- Ice creams & popsicles
- Cakes & cookies
- Pies and pastries
- Candy bars
- Pizza
- Jams & jellies
- Chocolate
- Milk & yogurt
- Dried fruit
- Breaded or battered foods
- Corn chips and crisps
Sure, we know things like chocolate contain sugar but as you can see by the list, savory foods like crackers and microwave meals also contain high amounts of sugar.
You need to start becoming a food label detective and follow a whole foods low carb diet like the one we encourage here at Diabetes Meal Plans.
The main point is: cutting out sugar can drastically change your life (and your numbers)!
3. Fatty Deep Fried foods
When a person eats an unhealthy typical Western diet, it usually contains too many deep fried fatty foods. And unfortunately, these have been linked to increased risk of diabetes.
While eating healthy fats like avocado or olive oil are considered good for our health. Bad fats such as the kind created from deep frying, promotes insulin resistance, weight gain, inflammation, and other unpleasant things.
And unfortunately, deep fried foods are often fried in cheap vegetable oils, which increase inflammation in diabetes.
One of the main reasons they are “bad” is that the oils become oxidized, and studies show oxidized oils contribute to higher levels of LDL cholesterol and heart disease.
Fatty deep fried foods also make higher levels of advanced glycated endproducts (AGE) – substances in the body that are promoted by high heat cooking. Deep frying is one of the highest heats we can cook at. In diabetes, higher levels of AGE contribute to increased oxidative damage and more inflammation.
There are plenty more reasons why you should avoid deep fried fatty foods, but hopefully that’s enough to convince you to avoid them.
4. Bread
While you may know that cutting out sodas, sugar, and deep fried fatty foods is a good idea, now we start getting into some of the more common foods that we all tend to love – bread being one of them.
We’ve all become pretty reliant on bread as a staple in our diet. It’s an easy grab for breakfast – make a piece of toast. And for lunch it just makes sense to make a sandwich – it’s what we’ve always done, after all.
But is bread really a healthy nutritious option for people with diabetes?
The answer is no, not really – unless you eat low carb breads.
Bread is high in carbohydrates so eating it, makes it difficult for most people to manage blood sugar well.
For instance, 1 slice of white bread contains 15 g carbs. While that’s not huge, it contains virtually no fiber 0.7 g and has been stripped of many nutrients. Often they add nutrients to bread to increase it’s nutritional value, because compared to a vegetable, bread has very low nutrient quality.
Whole wheat bread is a bit better containing 12.7 g of carbs and 2.7 g fiber. That’s still a lot of carbs, especially since we tend to eat bread in pairs, so instantly you’re pushing your carbs up to 25.4 g, from the bread alone!
The point is: if you’re trying to lower blood sugar and A1C, cutting carbs is essential. And in general, bread is not a food that fits comfortably into that picture.
Of course, not all breads are made alike. You can find some low carb breads but they are fairly expensive.
The other option is to make your own bread, which is very easy to do. Inside our members site we have over 30 low carb breads recipes, with cooking classes.
5. Flour
What are breads made of? Flour.
Take a look at our flour chart here.
As you can see, in half cup of flour, most of them are high in carbs and they are also quite high in glycemic index.
If you want to lower blood sugar and A1c, it’s best to stick to lower carb flours like flaxseed, almond, coconut, and chickpea flours.
Please pin this; then keep on reading – thanks!
6. Pasta
Another high carb food, pasta is one of those things that we all have a love for. But because we do, it is very easy to overeat.
One serve of pasta is just half a cup, when you look at it on a plate compared to a general serve we’ve become accustomed to eating, it’s not that much right?
It’s VERY easy to overeat pasta, so it’s really best avoided or you could soon see your blood sugar soaring.
But, that doesn’t mean living without pasta-like meals – there are plenty of low carb pasta options, which we include in our weekly meal plans regularly.
7. Potatoes
Why is it that all the foods you love are not diabetic friendly?
Yep, at first it can seem a bit disappointing. But it’s not the end of the world because there are lots of other options – even for potatoes!
Again, potatoes are just one of those foods that’s too high in carbs for proper blood sugar control. Just one medium boiled potato contains 33 g carbs, which can quickly send you over the edge.
8. Rice
You might be noticing a theme here… that all the foods we’ve mentioned so far, apart from the deep fried foods, are high in carbohydrates.
And that’s a key, key point: If you want to lower blood sugar and A1C and avoid diabetic complications, the best way to do that is to lower your carbohydrate intake.
Carbohydrates are the nutrient that influences blood sugar and A1c the most.
While some people can handle a little bit of brown rice, it is still high in carbs (at 23 g per 1/2 cup), so if you want the best possible outcomes, it’s best avoided.
You might notice one other thing about many of these foods: they often form the ‘base’ of our meals. It’s true. We have become accustomed to rice, potatoes, flour products, and pasta as ‘fillers’ and ‘staples,’ but there are far better things to eat.
And, there are options that are just as great – options that won’t send your blood sugar haywire!
Michelle says: “I learned that eating healthy isn’t painful, time consuming, drudgery. It can be fun AND taste good.Wish the doctor’s office would have shown YOUR way of doing it when I was first diagnosed. I probably would not have stuck my head in the sand so long! Glad I found you!” (VIP Member)
9. Bagels
Just like bread, bagels are a beloved staple in many diets, especially as a hearty option for breakfast or a quick snack. They’re often seen as a satisfying, convenient food choice. But when it comes to managing diabetes, are bagels a wise choice?
Unfortunately, when you’re aiming to control your blood sugar and A1C levels, bagels present a significant challenge.
The primary issue with bagels is their high carbohydrate content. A typical plain bagel can contain as much as 47 to 50 grams of carbohydrates, which is equivalent to, or even more than, three slices of bread!
This is crazy high carb content and will cause a rapid blood sugar spike, making it a difficult food for people with diabetes to incorporate into their diet.
Additionally, bagels usually have very little dietary fiber. Fiber is crucial for slowing down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, but a standard bagel might only offer about 2 grams of fiber. This lack of fiber exacerbates the problem, leading to even quicker rises in blood sugar.
Another thing is bagels, especially those made from refined white flour, are low in essential nutrients. They lack the vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds that are found in whole, unprocessed foods. This makes them a less nutritious option compared to foods that are naturally low in carbohydrates and high in fiber.
Of course, there are variations. Whole grain bagels will contain slightly more fiber and nutrients than their white flour counterparts, but they are still high in carbohydrates. Similarly to bread, there are low-carb bagel options available in the market, although these are often more expensive and less accessible.
While bagels are undoubtedly tasty and convenient, their high carbohydrate content and low nutritional value make them one of the very worst foods for people with diabetes.
10. Low quality vegetable oils
We touched on the topic of oils when we covered deep fried foods above.
It’s always been promoted that we should eat vegetable oils – polyunsaturated fats – because they are better for our health.
However, there are 2 types of polyunsaturated fats, omega-6 and omega-3. Unfortunately they have both been lumped under the same category, but they are not the same.
It’s the omega-3s that are healthy. And for sure, we need to eat more omega-3s because they are anti-inflammatory.
Omega-3s can be found in salmon, tuna, sardines, chia seeds, and walnuts.
But the omega-6 fats, well, they are pro-inflammatory.
And in recent years, researchers have discovered that omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation and heart disease. As a person with diabetes, you need to calm down inflammation in your bodies cells, not promote it!
Omega-6 fats to avoid include:
- Margarine
- Rice bran oil
- Corn oil
- Vegetable oil
- Safflower oil
- Sunflower oil (except organic)
- Grapeseed oil
- Soybean oil
- Peanut oil
Try switching the low quality oils out for olive oil instead. It’s a far better option!
So there you have it, the top 10 worst foods for type 2 diabetes.
If you can avoid these foods and eat lower carb alternatives instead, you’ll be well on your way to lowering your blood sugar and A1C, perhaps even reversing your diabetes – like many of our members are achieving.
Do you struggle with one of these foods more than another? Have you cut out these foods and noticed a difference?
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I make a herble medicine its work on me very well if u want i will send u the list
Hi Qari, I am glad you are doing well. Since everyone is different, we can’t really share an individual’s specific supplement regimen.
I would love to have that recipe. If you are so inclined would you share it with me. Cheers
What recipe are you referring to exactly Kevin?
Yes i would like to have the recipe.thank you
Yes for seniors trying to feel better
Yes please send me thanks so much
I’m frustrated about all of it! I’ve been type 2 for about 10 yrs now. I’m 46. Diabetes runs in my family. My morning sugar is always too high no matter what I try. I’ve even taken more insulin at night hoping it will help. Metformin doesn’t help. Janumet doesn’t help. This is all the doctors ever want to give me. Then there’s the foods to avoid. When you tally up all the foods to avoid, there’s nothing left to eat. I might as well fast forever. I don’t feel all the “studies” for diabetes are accurate. I never have time to exercise. I can only eat things that are quick and easy. My son is on the path to obesity because he won’t eat anything but sugar. My husband won’t stick to a diet either. I can’t win no matter what. The temptation is always there. I don’t even want to go to the dr anymore because I really don’t need to be chewed out. I know the drill but the drill doesn’t work with me. I feel cursed.
Hi Betty,
I am sorry you are feeling frustrated. I realize making changes can feel overwhelming. I will say there are a TON of delicious foods to eat that will help control your blood sugars. Check out our diabetes friendly food list to help give you some ideas. You CAN do this!
high sugar levels in the morning are a natural occurrence
its nothing you have done wrong
Don’t feel cursed feel happy you are alive. I understand how bad you might think it is but be thankful you don’t have high blood pressure or high cholesterol or kidney disease. Thank God you are living and try your best to stay as healthy as possible. Trust me it can be worst. If possible, research what you can cook and then go from there.
I am like you. You are not alone. But after so many years of not eating like I should, last year I had 3 surgeries losing four toes and I’m about to lose another one. I am striving to eat better but it is hard. I have a husband and daughter who want to eat mostly the worst things. Hang in there. I think I might try some of these recipes and use some of the ideas here to help me change things around to eat better. Good luck….Sonja
It can be tough when you don’t have support from your immediate household. Is there anyone else nearby that is able to support you on your health journey? Let us know how you like the recipes and know that we are here to support you and answer any questions that might arise. Good luck!
I also experience frustration. Was diagnosed d-2 in 2014 w BG of 550 & a1c 13.8. My numbers came down some with glipizide & Metformin. I’m 67 & wear size 6 now instead of 14 when diagnosed, but BG numbers remain elevated. I eat mostly meat, eggs, & non-starchy veggies. Walking reduces my numbers only when I walk over 4 miles per day. The only positive is diabetes improved my eyesight. I wore trifocals before. Now only reading glasses. I guess I’m blessed to be alive as my dad died at 51 (diabetes complications), but I am very frustrated as my doctor thinks I can lower my numbers at will. I have heartily tried for 4 yrs. Sigh…
Mary- don’t get frustrated as stress will definitely increase blood sugar levels! You’ve made great progress with your weight loss and that is something to be proud of.
Have you tried keeping a food log? I notice you mention this is what you “mostly” eat, is it possible you’re going out and sneaking high carb foods more then you realize? It might be helpful to record what your eating and your blood sugar levels before and after meals to help you identify trends. Make sure to stick to foods from this list.
You may consider discussing some of these supplements with your doctor, and of course you should review your current medication regimen with your doctor as well. You may need a stronger prescription or a different type of medication all together.
What did you eat
O have type 2 diabetes , I had a green salad for dinner at night, and just some pistachios for lunch at bedtime, but my blood sugar was still 8.2 in the morning, I don’t know what else to do to put my bs down in the mornings! I’ve tried everything, it’s so discouraging
One trick that works for a lot of our readers is taking some apple cider vinegar and cheese before bed! Check out this article for some additional suggestions.
I learned in diabetes class that if blood sugar is below 130 at bedtime, to eat a carb. Else wise b.s. lowers during night & liver kicks sugar into bloodstream trying to level you out. That can cause a rise in morning numbers.
Mary, potentially that it one explanation for a rise in morning sugar levels, and it’s known as the Somogyi Effect. As your blood sugar begins to drop, your body produces glucagon to help prevent low blood sugar and this ultimately raises your blood sugar- this is more common in insulin dependent diabetics. Another explanation for that morning rise is referred to as the Dawn Phenomenon, and is driver by changes in your hormones around 3am. You can read more about the differences over here.
Ultimately, for some people a small protein and fat combined snack can help combat this rise. Something like cheese, nuts, or a hardboiled egg can do the trick. And for those who experience a very drastic rise overnight, we suggest trying some apple cider vinegar before bed too!
In your list on all oils you don’t say anything about canola oil. What is your take on canola oil
Canola oil is a monounsaturated fat, which is generally a good thing. Unfortunately most canola oils are low quality, so you’re better off picking something like olive oil. Check out this Definitive Guide to Fat for more information!
Are the “no sugar” soft drinks really sugar free? VMT Graham
A diet (“no sugar”) soft drink is sugar free; check the label and you’ll see it has zero carbs.
BUT, with that being said, sugar free soda is definitely still sweetened with something, and that something is artificial sweetener! People have all sorts of opinions about artificial sweetener, but based on everything we have researched we encourage people to stay clear of diet soda and artificial sweeteners.
I haven’t seen any mention of coconut oil for cooking? How does it compare to the other oils?
Coconut oil has a high smoke point- this means it’s great for cooking. It’s also a great oil to include in your diet in terms of it’s health benefits. Check out this article all about coconut oil for more information!
I am doing the whole 30 diet. It has helped me a lot. I’ve been off of it for a week and boy can I feel the difference. I’m more tired sluggish and no energy. Starting back on it tommorrow. I eat a lot of vegetables and only sweet potatoes and red potatoes. I find it easy to follow and dollar store friendly, I’m on a strict budget. My diabetic numbers are good to.
Judy
Judy please keep us updated on your progress- we love to hear success stories!! You may find that if you can cut out the potatoes you’ll have even better results- all potatoes (including the mislabeled “healthy” sweet potatoes) are high in carbs and will elevate your sugar much more than the nonstarchy veggies do.
Is Raisin Bran accepted. What about almond milk? What are the best grain breads?
Any cereal, including Raisin Bran, is not going to be a good choice. It’s much too high in carbs! Almond milk is fine, as long as its the unsweetened variety.
As far as bread goes, most conventional breads available in stores are a no-go. Check out this article for a few varieties that you can order online.
Check out this list of the best foods for diabetics to help your understanding of what to eat and what to avoid.
Being on a fixed income, and everything seems to have all the “bad” stuff, I might as well just stop eating! On the other hand, the way I see it, I could die this afternoon, or live another 40 years! Only one power has that say.
The purpose of this article is not to make you feel like you can’t eat anything, Robert- food is definitely something that should be enjoyed! But with that being said, eating too many of the wrong foods can certainly make those next 40 years pretty awful if they are filled with lots of medications, doctors appointments and medical procedures.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. For example, asking for a glass of water is actually cheaper than buying a soda. Almost any restaurant can sub mixed vegetables for pasta or potatoes at no additional cost. And when you’re cooking at home make sure to bake, broil or grill meats versus deep frying them which will not effect the cost either. Don’t get discouraged, healthy eating and controlling your diabetes is definitely possible with a little bit of smart thinking!
You have Stevia on your list of sugars?
Yes, stevia is an acceptable choice for those people with diabetes. Here is an article that we previously wrote about choosing the best sweetener that you may find helpful.
Barilla has a spaghetti out that has 17 grams of protein per serving. I find my blood sugar does not spike high in the morning if I have it for dinner. It tastes just like regular spaghetti.
Impressive amount of protein, but how many carbs per serving? While your blood sugar might not be impacted by this pasta remember that the overarching goal is to keep total carbohydrate intake under 130g per day. Here are some pasta alternatives you may consider trying as well.
38 he of carbohydrates per 2 oz. serving.
Just had a fasting blood test and my blood sugar was a shocking 125. My Dad has suffered with Type 2 Diabetes for the last 30 years and it has always been the boogie man under my bed for me. To lower my cholesterol my physician put me on a high carb no meat, dairy, or fish diet for the last 6_months. I declined statin drugs and her prescribed diet shot my totals from 219 to 245. Dad developed diabetes shortly after starting statins. I was recently diagnosed with cateracts, as my father was shortly after developing diabetes. I am just reeling. I have a physical scheduled for late September which is the earliest available. My cholesterol ratios are amazing; I have such high hdl I am a very low risk from a heart attack. Blood pressure is low to normal, but my Dr says having cholesterol over 200 makes me a candidate for a stroke. I HAVE to get my sugar levels down! My pill happy Dr will be happy to write a bunch of prescriptions. When I declined the statins because of the side effects, she assured me she could prescribe even more pills to counter them. Not thrilled about never eating fruit again, or bread, or starchy vegetables. I am only 62 and I feel like my body has betrayed me. I am 5’6″ and weigh 150 pounds, exercise regulary, and am STUNNED at this reading. Could the 6 months of the high carb vegan diet have set this off and can it be reversed?
I can’t say for certain if your 6 month vegan diet was the “cause” of these health concerns. With that being said, high carb diet are often high in sugar, and it’s pretty common knowledge that high sugar intake is not good for optimal health. Cholesterol and treatment recommendations can be a controversial topic among many health professionals, here’s an article we published that might give you a little more insight into the science behind what’s effecting your levels. Based on the research that we read and follow, we recommend a low carb diet to help lower cholesterol levels.
My doctor put me on a high protein, low carb diet and I was off my insulin in less than 3 weeks. I eat a lot of eggs, wild-caught fish, all natural meats, greens and walnuts. I have also lost weight.
Congrats on your success and thank you for sharing with our other members! Keep up the fantastic work, Charlotte.
Atkins is great they are not cheap but if you need to indulge in some sweets thats the way to go. Their nut roll is like a snickers bar lol.
I use brown rice and whole wheat pasta along with plenty veggies and greens and I have found that they have not spiked my blood sugar also drink lots of water do I need to cut these completely out of my diet
Well you’re lucky Regina. We do encourage a low carb diet here and in general that doesn’t include rice and pasta of any kind but in the end what you eat is up to you and your body.
Thanks for diabetic tips ?
I do not eat any refined sugar no candy no sugar pop no deserts and I try to limit carbs but that’s been my one struggle.. I barley even eat ketchup .. one question though Is animal fat bad? I love a good fatty steak? And i also love my Greek yogurt with less than a half teaspoon of honey? I do eat pizza on thin crust I know bad… I need my ancient grains bread though that’s not going anywhere lol…. I don’t eat fruit except strawberries and occasionally I’ll go nuts and eat a handful of cold grapes lol because I need to be sane!!! I do need to exercise more I really do!!!
Animal fat is not “bad,” nor is full fat dairy. There are many myths around fat Vycky. Keep an eye on the blog next week, we have very detailed info on cholesterol and fat coming.
Looks like a pattern here. Folks who haven’t eaten locarb before only see what they can’t eat and are immediately turned off. A year ago, my A1C had jumped from 6.4 to 7.4. My doctor put me on two Metformin a day and said I had to test twice a day. Boy was he disgusted with me. Probably because he sees the damage done by diabetes everyday. At first, I felt like my life was over. I loved to drink alcohol and snack just like many of you. I immediately made a decision to lose a lot of weight and eat locarb. This website and Dr Berstein’s book Diabetes Solutions helped me lose 30#’S last summer (4-5 months time). From May til end of August, my A1C dropped from 7.4 to 5.2. End of April, my A1C was 4.8 even though I was on one Metformin all fall and winter. Now I’m off Metformin and just testing twice a day. It’s scary because my blood glucose levels are a little harder to control. I’m still eating locarb and walking. My doctor will reevaluate me next week. I may go back to one Metformin ER 500 a day. Even so, I’ll still stick to locarbing so my BG stays nice and low? For the past year, I have had no alcohol, processed foods, hicarb fruit or veggies. I’m not perfect. Maybe 96%. Consistency is key.
Well said Rosemary. We always suggest focusing on what you CAN have because there are plenty of delicious food alternatives. Congrats on your great results!
Follow the plans people. Trust me I am suffering complications due to high blood sugar. I went from 20/20 vision down to where I can only see clear a foot in front of me. This has happened twice and its not fun at all. It’s very frustrating and depressing. Watching what I eat and exercising is the best thing you can do, and I again have to get on the right track. P.S. My eyesight has gone down hill in a matter of weeks! Not months. So beware.
Thanks for this great information. So many people around me are becoming insulin resistant so having this information all on one website is amazing! Thanks for this website and thanks to the commenters too!
Hi Liz, yes, unfortunately insulin resistance is on the rise. Glad you found the info helpful and please share it around!
plz help me
help ..im in a suburb of hobart .tasmania .australia .i have no support from no one .no dietician ..family .i have D2 and a fatty liver ..ive been sick the past few days .stomach up set and feeling sick .actually vomited once yesterday monday ..im really scared of dying ..im 57 ..im trying too loose weight ..im just lazy i guess .im unhappy ..i take2 glyclazide 30 mgs in morning and after meal at dinner i take 2x 1000xr metformin …i have no friends except facebook ..im miserable …
HI Vickie, sorry to hear of your struggles. Being sick can make you feel much worse and if you’re very worried it’s probably best to take a visit to the doctor. As for your lack of motivation, loneliness can do that, and it may even be that you have some depression.
We don’t like using scare tactics, but if you’re scared of dying then use that as motivation. Diabetes can cause life-threatening complications if it’s not under control. So the first place to start is your blood sugar – monitor your levels closely so you know what changes need to be made. Next, change a few things in your diet. And just start with 5 minutes of exercise every day. Small steps in a positive direction.
It might also be worthwhile exploring if there is a diabetes group near you. Some community centers or councils hold them in local areas, and often for free. And if you’re just feeling overwhelmed – this might help.
Vickie – is there anyone in the area I could email or call to check on you. I’m here in the US but I just read your comment on how you’re feeling and I’m worried about you.
Hi Vicki
I’m 57 with T2, I was 126kg now I’m down to 87kg. It’s has taken 2 years but I did it. I changed my 1000xr met to take one in morning and 1 at night, this seems to give me better balance.
I took up golf and kayak to force my body to use energy. If I don’t do some daily movement my levels rise and I become more stressed out. I don’t enjoy living as a diabetic but i accept it as my personal battle. I love life so i embrace diabetes within my entire ability in every part of my day. I used it to get things done.
Vicky. I too have suffered these same feelings. I became very ill on Metformin. With that changed I began to feel better. Read up on that med and speak to your doctor.
I want to eat like a diabetic to prevent diabetes. I struggle with breakfast. So much conflicting info about green smoothies. And I can’t stomach an egg breakfast everyday. Oatmeal ok? Ideas please.
Green smoothies are okay as long as they aren’t packed with fruit, and many of them are. That will instantly raise the carbohydrates, which subsequently raises blood glucose and insulin. At most a half a green apples or a few berries is all you want to include. But things like spinach, cucumber, celery are all good green ingredients. Find more info on oatmeal here and some breakfast ideas here.
Wow not much left for my lifestyle!! Looks like a short life for me and I thought I was doing so well; dropped weight, regular exercise, blood pressure back to normal.
Only upside was you never mentioned beer?? Im 64yo.
Can’t win no matter what you do.
Well if what’s working for you is working Neill, go with it. Here we encourage a low carb diet and none of the above foods fit into that equation, unfortunately. But there are plenty of delicious alternatives. Find more info about alcohol over here.
I find this diet to be near impossible, as I am on food stamps. Social Security is sub poverty, and my state gives as maximum benefit for single person is $22 a week. I love veggies and I do have several planters with greens growing. So how about some recipes that use the cheapest veggies and beans as they do get tiresome day after day. thanks
Many of our recipes DO use low cost ingredients Deb.
I have found Cauliflower a life saver + it is cheap. Also Spaghetti Squash. Both can be used in many ways and many flavors.
Definitely James, these are fantastic low carb substitutes!
One spheggi squash I priced last night was four dollars for one squash.barbara. I’m not on food stamps and I buy the food I like but I skipped this as I thought it quit high for my husband and I and so did he. Haven’t tried it yet.
Would be nice if diabetic meals were home delivered. I Don’t like to cook and my husband is a meat and potatoes guy.
Perhaps one day Missy. 🙂 But there are tons of easy meals to cook.
Cinnamon can help lower your blood sugar, so as long as you take a cinnnamon pill I don’t think that you’ll have to worry;however ask your doctor just in case you’re allergic to cinnamon. Also if you still don’t feel safe even with taking a cinnamon pill, then do whatever that makes you feel comfortable for your health.
Cinnamon does help lower blood sugar, but if you have diabetes it can be a little more complex than that Mandy!
For those interested in cinnamon, read more here.
Very interesting. I feel like my life is over…no soda, no PASTA?, no white potatoes, no rice, no sugar! What else is there? Even my apples aren’t great for me. I don’t like strawberries or raspberries. I’m working to get my A1C down from 6.3. I try to exercise 30 minutes at least 4 times a week. My 93 year old mom has been taken off Metformin because her A1C is 5.9. That’s great, but she likes dessert after dinner, and all the other bad stuff. So now I have to figure what meals will work for both of us. No Whopper and fries for lunch! Ben and Jerry, im so sorry!!!! I’m sooooooo sad right now. I need meal plans. Help!!!!
Your life is NOT over Linda! A diabetic diet is GREAT, super healthy and delicious. Exactly how I eat everyday and my life certainly isn’t lacking. It’s just an adjustment that’s all. There are HUNDREDS of foods to eat. Real. Whole. Foods. Exactly what our body needs. Check out some of our free recipes here. And you can always sign up to our members club or meal plans. Take it one step at a time and just figure out what works best to help you achieve results.
I do not have diabetes but my mother does. I had high cholesterol eight years ago. I learned how to eat. I became a label reader. When you start reading labels it becomes easy to make the changes. I was able to stay off pills so far. I am 61 years of age.
You are absolutely right, people who know more about their food are typically able to make better, more educated choices. Of course it’s also true that some of the healthiest foods (vegetables, meat, eggs) don’t actually have labels- but in general reading labels is a must!
I agree. I’m angry!!