What Should Diabetics Avoid Eating?
Foods detrimental to blood glucose control and harmful to health should be avoided. Foods high in monosaccharides or disaccharides, such as black sugar, white sugar, candies, pastries, ice cream, popsicles, ice lollies, and honey, cause rapid postprandial blood glucose spikes and should not be consumed. Some claim honey benefits health, stating it tonifies Qi and nourishes Yin, serving as a health tonic, but honey is still a high-sugar food—45% of its sugars are absorbed without gastric digestion—thus, honey should not be eaten, as it will only elevate blood glucose further. Foods high in saturated fatty acids, such as lard, beef tallow, and mutton fat, should be avoided, as they worsen metabolic disorders, increase lipid levels, and raise the risk of multiple complications. Foods high in cholesterol should be minimized or avoided entirely, such as animal organs, egg yolks, and fish roe, as their consumption may trigger lipid metabolism disorders. Smoked, pickled, or marinated meats and vegetables contain carcinogens and lose substantial nutrients like trace elements, vitamins, and minerals during processing. Such foods should not be consumed, as they harm diabetic patients’ health and increase salt intake, raising the risk of hypertension.<Diabetes>