Diabetes Diet: Foods to Avoid for Better Blood Sugar Control

Type 1 diabetics must have daily insulin treatment, while type 2 diabetics often can control their condition with lifestyle changes. In both types, diet is very important. Monitoring carbohydrates is essential, since these foods are broken down into sugar.

High Fat and Saturated Fat

• According to the American Diabetes Association, although people with diabetes may choose to substitute protein and fat items for carbohydrates, they should avoid high-fat items and saturated fats such as butter, ice cream and lard.

Trans Fat

• Other no-no foods for diabetics are those which include trans fatty acids, such as stick margarine, fried foods and snack foods. Check for "partially hydrogenated" or "hydrogenated" oils listed on labels, and avoid these products.

Protein Considerations

• It's best for diabetics to obtain protein from plant sources and from lean meat such as fish and poultry (without the skin). High-fat types of pork and beef should be avoided.

Starchy Foods

• Diabetics can eat three to four portions of starchy foods a day, according to the University of Michigan. These foods include corn, pasta and potatoes. Portion size should be taken into account, because starch is rapidly broken down into sugar by the body and can cause blood sugar spikes.

White Flour

• White flour food products are rapidly broken down into sugar. Diabetics should limit or avoid white flour foods such as bread, biscuits, bagels, muffins and pancakes. Whole-grain items are best.

Sweet Foods

• People with diabetes need to limit the amount of sweet foods they eat. These include sugar, honey, fruit juice, canned fruit in syrup, doughnuts, pastries, candy and sugared cereal.