Friday, August 23, 2013
Diabetics Should Limit/Avoid Alcohol and These 3 Other Foods
Diabetes is a medical condition where the body does not absorb glucose (sugar) property. Glucose from food is what the body's cells absorb in order to give us energy and for the proper functioning of tissue and muscle. When a person has diabetes, the glucose stays in the blood and causes tissue damage. Type II diabetes is the most common and can lead to cardiovascular disease, blindness, and kidney failure.
Diabetes is more than 8 percent higher among African Americans. Eating properly is important for diabetics, and there are some foods that should be limited or even avoided in order to prevent complications from diabetes. Here are four:
Sugar in food represents a big risk area for diabetics. Since glucose remains in the blood of diabetics, eating foods high in sugar can raise the sugar levels even higher and cause eye and nerve damage, kidney disease and ulcers on the feet. causes blood sugar to rise. Avoid sugary foods like cake, candy, pie, ice cream, snacks, sugary cereals and processed food. Some fruits also contain more sugar than others. These include bananas, mango, watermelon, pineapple, and strawberries. It doesn't mean you have to avoid them, just eat smaller amounts.
2. Starchy Vegetables
Generally, vegetables are good for people with diabetes. But some vegetables contain more starch than others, and starch turns to sugar. Eating starchy vegetables can raise the blood sugar level in diabetics. Starchy vegetables include white potatoes and sweet potatoes, corn, rice, peas, winter squash, pumpkin, lima beans, and other peas such as pinto beans, kidney beans, black eyed peas, and split peas.
Fats should be limited in every one's diet, but especially by those who are diabetic. People with diabetes have a higher risk for heart disease, so it is important to limit saturated fat to help lower the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Saturated fats are the bad fats found in beef, lunch meat, hot dogs, milk products, butter, cream, chocolate, coconut and coconut oil. According to the May Clinic, diabetics should limit saturated fat to no more than 15 grams a day. Or, you can substitute them with other foods than contain good fat (unsaturated), such as almonds, cashews, pecans, and peanuts, avocados, olives, and peanut butter.
There are two reasons for diabetics to watch their alcohol consumption. One is because alcohol tends to lower blood sugar levels. This can be dangerous for diabetics who are on medication already to lower blood sugar. Another reason is that alcohol relaxes the taste buds and inhibitions and may cause you to eat foods you should not be eating. Although the American Diabetes Association recommends limiting alcohol consumption to two drinks a day for men, one for women, all diabetics should check with their doctors as to how much they can safely consume.
DISCLAIMER: The content or opinions expressed on this web site are not to be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or medical practitioner before utilizing any suggestions on this web site.