Type 2 diabetes: Seven foods you should avoid to keep blood sugar levels low
10.08.2022 - 23:41
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition which causes the level of sugar, or glucose, in the blood to become too high. One in 10 people over 40 in the UK are now living with a diagnosis of the disease.
These shocking figures show that there are 3.8 million people living with type 2 diabetes. Worryingly, many of those are with the disease still consume foods which are notorious for spiking blood sugar levels.
According to the NHS, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can not produce enough insulin - a hormone which breaks down glucose in the body. It's often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the body’s organs, increasing the risk of heart and strokes. To manage blood sugar levels, it is important to monitor your diet and cut out high-risk foods.
But there are some surprising foods that can spike blood sugar levels, which you may not be aware of. Here are seven foods those with type 2 diabetes should avoid, as reported by the Mirror.
A few seemingly healthy foods are notorious for negatively impacting blood sugar. Sugar, fat and salt intake should be kept to a minimum in order to effectively manage your type 2 diabetes.
It’s also important to avoid foods that rank high on the Glycaemic Index (GI). The British Dietetic Association (BDA) explains: “Each time you have a sugary or starchy food or drink, the blood glucose level in your body rises.
“Some of these foods are quickly digested and cause quick and sharp rises in your blood glucose levels – they are called high GI foods and drinks.
“Low GI foods and drink, which are more slowly digested, will make your blood glucose rise more slowly. These are sometimes called