Diabetes is a disease associated with a high blood glucose concentration either because of inadequate insulin production or body cells not responding to insulin or both.

Diabetes is of two types: diabetes insipidus (body produce little or no insulin) and diabetes mellitus (because of overweight or poor physical activity). Another common type of diabetes is gestational diabetes which females incur during pregnancy.

Diabetes is a disease that increases hunger, thirst and urination, therefore, eating habits change and people tend to eat unhealthy food due to sudden cravings. There are many food items that should be avoided or taken in moderation.

Foods to be avoided are:

Refined wheat flour

Maida preparations like Rumali roti, naan, white bread, pasta, rusk, and other such items should be taken in limited quantity because:

· Refined flour contains less amount of fibre.

· It has more amount of starch.

· Glycaemic index of Maida is very high.

Corn flour

Corn flour, arrowroot flour, and sago — During the production of these items, all other nutrients are removed thus making them a pure starch and they have a high glycemic index.

White rice

White rice is a starchy food that can cause blood sugar spike similar to that of sugar.

Potato

Vegetables like potato, colocasia, yam contain calories that come in the form of simple carbohydrates and directly gets converted into sugar.

Mango

Fruits like mango, litchi, sapota, banana, musk melon and stone fruits like peaches and nectarines are on the high sugar side which may cause blood sugar spikes than the other fruits.

Full Cream

Full cream and its products (full-fat milk, creamy soups or full-fat yoghurt) contain saturated fats which can raise the cholesterol levels and cause cardiovascular diseases.

Egg Yolk

Egg yolk is the portion of high cholesterol which increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Red Meat

Non-vegetarian products like mutton, pork, beef and red meat contain a good amount of protein, but the ratio of omega3:omega6 gets disturbed in processed meat. Also, it has a high amount of cholesterol.

Cold Drinks

Carbonated drinks like Pepsi, Miranda have high sugar content.

Ghee

Fat items like pure ghee, hydrogenated ghee, yellow butter provide more of saturated fats and Trans fatty acids which add on to bad cholesterol.

Fruit Juices

Juices have a high sugar content and a lot of calories, thus, it increases the blood sugar level.

Fruit Smoothies

Fruit smoothie, cocktails, ice creams can be a sugary disaster for diabetic people as they contain calories, carbohydrates and are full of sugar.

Cakes and pastries

Cakes and pastries are made from refined flour, sugar, salt, eggs, milk or cream or butter, which are rich in saturated fats and trans fatty acids. They have a high amount of sugar and calories and a high glycemic index as well.

Jams and jellies

They contain high fructose corn syrup which tends to increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Sweets

Sweets like Kaju Katli, Gulab Jamun, Ras Malai, candies, toffees, sugar threads etc. are made of sugar and should be avoided by diabetic people.

Alcohol

Alcohol (if taken in moderation) can increase blood sugar level but when taken in large quantity, it decreases sugar level to dangerous levels, especially for people in type 1 diabetic people.

Sweet Wine

Beer and sweet wine contains carbohydrates that raise blood sugar level.

Fried Foods

Deep fried items like samosa, Pakode, cutlets, paranthas and kachori are rich in bad cholesterol taking a person closer to the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Honey

Honey, sugar and jaggery have high glycemic index and sugar content, not suitable for diabetic people.

Chips

Snacks like nachos, chips, Namkeens, cookies, fast foods and desserts are rich in carbs, sodium, sugar and saturated fat which harms a diabetic person.

Diabetes is a more of lifestyle-oriented disease which requires management to win over it. Exercising regularly, taking medication on time, eating healthy food items and keeping a regular check on your sugar levels can help you to beat diabetes.