Diabetics should avoid foods high in sugar, which is almost common knowledge for every adult. But many people don't know that some foods that don't taste sweet are actually "high in sugar," such as Yu-Shiang Pork Shreds and bread. Below, let's take a look at which high-sugar foods we have overlooked, and the dietary taboos that diabetics should pay attention to.
5 Types of Foods That Are Not Sweet But High in Sugar
1. Instant powders from supermarkets are high in sugar
Because powders made from simple grains and beans have a poor texture and even a unique "earthy" taste, many instant powdered foods like soy milk powder, lotus root powder, and walnut powder often have a lot of sugar added to improve the taste. In some products, sugar is even listed first in the ingredients list, so be sure to pay close attention when purchasing.
2. Sour snacks like hawthorn slices and preserved plums
Hawthorn and preserved plums are naturally rich in organic acids and taste quite sour. A large amount of sugar is added during processing to achieve a sweet and sour balance. The sugar content in some hawthorn slices can be as high as 70%-80%; the sugar content in preserved plums is also impressive, usually ranking second in the ingredients list, right after the plums themselves.
3. Braised pork belly and Yu-Shiang Pork Shreds are high in sugar
Experts explain that many people like to use sugar to season dishes, and chefs in restaurants especially like to use large amounts of sugar to enhance the flavor. A serving of braised pork ribs, braised fish, or Yu-Shiang Pork Shreds might have 25-30 grams of sugar added, while braised pork belly requires 40-50 grams. The highest are sweet and sour pork ribs and sweet and sour pork fillet, with about 75 grams of sugar per serving. In addition, some processed meat products that people love, such as dried meat and meat jerky, also contain a lot of sugar.
4. Kiwifruit and grapefruit are surprisingly higher in sugar than watermelon
Experts point out that although watermelon tastes sweet, its actual sugar content is only 4.2%; while kiwifruit tastes more sour, its sugar content is 10%. Fruits with a sugar content between 9% and 13% also include apples, apricots, figs, oranges, and lychees. Fruits like persimmons, longans, bananas, bayberries, and pomegranates have a sugar content exceeding 14%.
5. There is also hidden sugar in yogurt and bread
If you make bread or yogurt at home, you'll find that about 10-20 grams of white sugar is needed for every 100 grams of regular white bread, not counting its own starch content. The recipe for yogurt is 10 grams of sugar for every 100 grams of milk.
Dietary Taboos for Diabetics
1. Avoid various sugars, preserved fruits, fruit canned goods, soda, fruit juice, jam, ice cream, sweet biscuits, sweet breads, and sugar pastries, as these foods are very high in sugar and can easily lead to high blood sugar;
2. Avoid foods high in cholesterol and animal fats, such as animal brains, liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, egg yolks, fatty meat, butter, and pig, cow, and sheep oil, as these foods can easily raise blood lipid levels and lead to atherosclerosis;
3. Avoid alcohol, as it can cause blood sugar fluctuations. Drinking a large amount on an empty stomach can lead to severe hypoglycemia, and intoxication can often mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it difficult to detect and very dangerous.