Sugary foods as well as those high in cholesterol should not be consumed by people showing prediabetes symptoms.
As the name suggests, prediabetes is a condition that strikes before diabetes. People with prediabetes suffer from elevated blood sugar levels that have deviated from their normal value but not yet arrived in the dangerous zone of diabetes. However, as blood sugar levels are abnormally high, one is predisposed to diabetes, and the symptoms that commonly accompany prediabetic patients are frequent thirst and increased urination.
These prediabetes symptoms, although not worrisome, but are quite bothersome. So, limiting sugar intake from food sources is necessary to alleviate the symptoms and lower blood sugar levels. This article discusses the dietary changes that emphasize foods to be avoided with prediabetes.
Foods High in Sugar
As the blood sugar level in prediabetics has crossed the normal range, eating high sugary foods should take a backseat. This is a pre-requisite, otherwise the blood sugar may soon reach the diabetic level soon. Hence, high sugary foods like pastries, ice creams, chocolates and cakes, must be avoided if one is serious about lowering blood sugar levels. Carbonated beverages, popularly known as soft drinks, are loaded with sugar, and so have no place in a prediabetic diet. Sugary foods also come in the list of foods to avoid with type 2 diabetes.
Amongst the fruits, the content of sugar in dried fruits is highest. No wonder, dried fruits come in the list of foods to avoid with prediabetes. On the other hand, canned juices available in the market have higher concentration of sugar in them as compared to fresh fruits. So, in order to prevent blood sugar from reaching dangerous levels, these need to be avoided.
However, some fruits contain excessively high amount of sugar. Therefore, to restrict the sugar intake, it is advised to exclude the following high sugar fruits from one’s diet.
- Figs
- Bananas
- Dates
- Mangoes
- Grapes
Foods High in Cholesterol
The onset of prediabetes is typically marked by high cholesterol levels. The good cholesterol level dips, whereas high cholesterol and triglyceride levels increase dramatically in prediabetics. In such a scenario, one cannot afford to eat high cholesterol foods. Food items that are fried and prepared in hydrogenated oil also have to be avoided, as they are considered as high cholesterol foods.
Fast foods (cheeseburger) and eggs, commonly consumed during breakfast, also have to be avoided in order to reduce cholesterol levels. Red meat such as beef and pork, as well as organ meats like liver and the kidney have tons of cholesterol in them, and so their exclusion from the diet is mandatory.
Foods High in Simple Carbohydrates
The level of blood sugar is likely to increase quickly after having foods that contain simple carbohydrates. This is because rapid metabolism of simple carbohydrates into glucose takes place inside the body. As a result, the glucose released gets quickly sucked into the bloodstream, causing elevated blood sugar levels in a short amount of time. Therefore, good sources of carbohydrates such as white bread, crackers and cookies, need to be discarded from the diet.
Apart from diet, exercise can play a crucial role to reverse the effects of prediabetes. A sedentary lifestyle is often the main culprit behind the onset of prediabetes symptoms. So, lead an active lifestyle by giving first priority to exercise and diet. It is a surefire way to stop the progression of prediabetes to diabetes
