Reviewing High-Sugar Foods That Are Easily Overlooked
Core Tip: Most people with diabetes are sensitive to sugary foods, but sometimes they overlook foods or drinks that don't seem related to high sugar levels yet can significantly raise blood sugar. Recently, registered dietitian Heather Jones summarized a list of high-sugar foods that are often missed.
Staple Foods: It's not advisable to eat congee for breakfast. In China, people usually consume rice and flour as their staple foods, and as long as the total amount is controlled, the impact on blood sugar is not significant. However, diabetics should pay attention to the following when eating congee: avoid eating it in the morning, to prevent adding to the blood sugar peak around 8 a.m.; it's best to eat some staple food before having congee, or add coarse grains like beans, oats, and corn to the congee.
Beverages: Alcoholic beverages are not only very high in calories but can also interfere with the effects of certain diabetes medications, increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Besides providing energy, sports drinks are also very high in sugar; for example, a bottle of Vitaminwater contains 33 grams of sugar. Bottled juices are typically made from fruits high in sugar, or sweeteners are added for better taste, making them have a significant impact on blood sugar. Flavored yogurt. Its sugar content is about 3 times that of plain yogurt, and some products also contain fruit pieces, making the sugar content even higher.
Snacks: Dried fruits. Snacks like raisins, dried apricots, and dried pineapple are made by removing water from fresh fruits, resulting in a very high sugar concentration. "Sugar-free" cookies and cakes. Although they are labeled "sugar-free," they often contain artificial sweeteners and are inherently high in carbohydrates, so they should not be consumed in large amounts. Potato chips. These should be classified as junk food, being overly processed and excessively high in oil and salt. Not only are they unsuitable for diabetics, but even healthy people should stay away from them. Meat and bean curd snacks. They are often high in oil and salt, and contain more preservatives. Snacks made from soy products are usually high in oil, salt, and preservatives, making them unsuitable for diabetics.
Condiments: Salad dressings, ketchup, and other products that are marketed for enhancing flavor are often high in salt and sugar. If you don't pay attention to controlling your intake, they can pose a significant threat to your blood sugar levels.