Making changes to your diet can be hard, and it can be intimidating. You may not know where to start, and all of the recommendations you find online can make things super confusing. The good news is improving your Type 2 diabetes can be done with just a handful of simple yet very effective dietary changes.
Let us take the confusion out of which foods you should and should not enjoy by talking about five simple yet effective dietary changes you can make to improve your blood sugar levels…
1. Eliminate Fruit Juice. Fruit juice often contains lots of added sugar. Pair added sugar with the sugar naturally found in fruit, and you are bound to experience a spike in blood sugar. Avoid fruit juice, and choose water, unsweetened sparkling water, or sweeten the water with freshly squeezed fruit juice.
2. Read Food Labels. Reading food labels can be your best tool when it comes to controlling your blood sugar! Checking food labels for added sugars by looking for anything ending in “ose” can be a great way to eliminate foods containing added sweeteners. Make it a habit to read the back of every label before you purchase a packaged food item. The more you do this, the better you will become at detecting added sugars!
3. Choose Complex Carbs versus Refined Carbs. Choose complex carbs like rolled oats, quinoa, and brown rice over white pasta, white rice, bread, and pastries. Complex carbs will be absorbed more slowly and are less likely to cause a blood sugar spike. Plus, complex carbs like quinoa or brown rice in their whole and natural state will not contain added sugar as bread and pastries will.
4. Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup. High fructose corn syrup is found in soda, crackers, candy, and even bread! It is one of the leading causes of obesity and can lead to Type 2 diabetes. It is essential to stay away from high fructose corn syrup at all costs. Instead, choose foods containing natural sweeteners such as…
fruit,
pure maple syrup,
raw honey, or
stevia.
However, keep in mind foods like dried fruit and honey can cause blood sugar imbalances when consumed in excess and these foods should only be eaten once in a while.
5. Stay Away from Trans and Hydrogenated Fats. Trans and hydrogenated fats are commonly found in fried and processed foods. Fast food items are notorious for being full of these damaging fats that can help cause…
obesity,
heart disease, and can
trigger inflammation.
These fats can also increase your cholesterol level. Stay away from these fats, and choose healthier options such as…
extra virgin olive oil,
avocados,
nuts,
chia, and
flaxseeds.
Take your health into your own hands and make a difference in your health and your life. Start by making one change a week until you have made all five. In just a short amount of time, you could have better control of your Type 2 diabetes, and living your healthiest life!