People with diabetes experience fluctuations in blood sugar levels not only because of their health condition but also certain treatments used to manage the same. Snacking is a great way to ensure your blood sugar doesn’t drop too low while keeping sugar intake minimal. However, not all snacks are suitable for diabetics, so patients must choose wisely. Here are some great snacking ideas that are low in sugar and great for health. Hard-boiled eggs This is one of the easiest snacks to make since not a lot of effort is required on your part. Hard-boiled eggs are rich in proteins and can help people with type 2 diabetes maintain their blood sugar and hunger levels. If you can, try and eat just the egg whites. Seasoning with pepper or your favorite herbs can enhance the taste. Veggies and hummus Vegetables are always a great option for snacking. They’re rich in essential vitamins and minerals and can make you full quickly due to their high fiber content. Veggies also help maintain a healthy body weight since most varieties aren’t as high in calories as other snacking options. If you’d like some flavor, try eating your vegetables with a side of hummus, another excellent fiber source.

Diabetes causes blood sugar and glucose levels to either go too low or too high. One of the ways to maintain balanced levels in the body is to have a strict meal plan. While a few food groups are known to not be friendly for those with diabetes, here are some other common yet unsuspecting foods that are a big no-no for those looking to keep their sugar levels in check. Yogurt Yogurt is usually a healthy option but is probably not recommended for those with diabetes. Flavored yogurt sold in the market comes with preservatives and sugar, quickly triggering insulin levels. Dairy is generally not advised for diabetes patients, but having small quantities of homemade yogurt with no flavoring or artificial preservatives is fine.  Cereal Although cereal is something many of us eat in the morning, it’s not the best option for those looking to keep their glucose in check. This food comes with added sugars and artificial preservatives that spike sugar levels. Another factor to consider is that cereal and milk make for quite an unhealthy combination, so those with diabetes need to find alternatives to these foods for breakfast. Granola bars Normally sold as a healthy snack, some granola bars are filled with sugar and carbs.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that interferes with the body’s ability to process blood sugar, or blood glucose, properly. If not managed, it can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and other serious complications. Fortunately, one can achieve and maintain healthy blood sugar levels and prevent these complications by simply limiting or avoiding foods that can cause a spike in blood sugar. Accordingly, we’ve listed below the worst foods for people with diabetes. 6 foods to avoid to successfully manage diabetes Cakes When trying to control diabetes, cakes and pastries are a strict no-no. These desserts are loaded with sugar and low-quality carbohydrates. Cakes provide little to no nutritional value while causing a sharp spike in blood sugar levels. Besides, they contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Raisins Dried fruits, like raisins, contain a higher concentration of various nutrients, including sugars, than their fresh counterparts. Since the dehydration process also removes the water, it becomes easier to eat large quantities of raisins at a time. This can cause a severe spike in blood sugar. It’s best to replace dried fruits with fiber-rich whole fruits. White bread White bread is made with low-quality, refined carbohydrates.

Binge eating is a guilty pleasure that most people indulge in on occasion. And sugary foods, baked confectioneries, and sweet beverages are the ultimate options to satisfy such cravings. However, people with diabetes should be aware that excess sugar can instantly spike blood glucose levels, causing significant damage. But fret not. Here are a few simple to-dos to lower the risk of complications from eating too much sugar at once. Stay hydrated After detecting a lot of sugar in the body, the pancreas release more insulin. This can trigger polyuria, a condition that increases the urge to urinate. To counter dehydration caused by excess urination, doctors recommend drinking plenty of water after a sugar binge. Water also helps dilute extra sugar in the bloodstream to manage diabetes symptoms better. Engage in physical activity Physical activity releases feel-good hormones called endorphins. Endorphins counter symptoms like fatigue, bad mood, and general lethargy, all commonly observed with diabetes. In addition, physical movement engages core muscle groups, allowing the body to burn more carbohydrates and break down sugar faster. Track blood sugar levels Excess sugar increases the risk of hyperglycemia among those with diabetes. And hyperglycemia can trigger temporary weight gain, fatigue, irritable mood swings, and frequent urination.

Diabetes patients need to maintain disciplined habits to manage blood sugar levels. These habits include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and eating well. Being judicious is crucial as far as food control is concerned. But with so many so-called healthy options lining supermarket shelves, the right choice is hard to make. So, we’re highlighting some sugary foods that seem safe but are, in fact, dangerous for those with diabetes. Flavored yogurt This food has found a place in the pantry of many households, but the nutritional value of this packaged food is questionable. Like most flavored food products, yogurt contains fruit flavoring in it. If the nutritional chart at the back of the packet is any indication, most of the sweetness comes from added sugars instead of fruit. A safer option is to replace packaged fruit yogurt with some natural fruit or veggie sticks paired with unflavored yogurt. Artificial sweeteners Often, artificial sweeteners are labeled safe to be included in beverages and foods, especially for people with diabetes. While the data available is limited, sweeteners are beneficial for people who are used to adding sugar. Additionally, the calorific value of artificial sweeteners is significantly lower than that of table sugar.

The human body can only process a finite amount of sugar every day. Any excess retained in the bloodstream only increases the risk of chronic health problems like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, leading to unhealthy weight gain. The good news is that simple substitutions in daily foods that are organically sweet can supplement requirements without severely affecting blood glucose levels. There are six noticeable benefits of eliminating sugar from daily consumption to promote a healthy lifestyle. Reduced risk of inflammation Sugar leads to an increase in abdominal fat due to the excess amount of insulin produced by the body. Over time, these layers of fat release hormones that trigger inflammation in blood vessels. Cutting off sugar lowers the risk of chronic inflammation to a great extent and prevents several health complications. A boost of energy The body has to work overtime to produce insulin and break down the excess carbohydrates circulating in the bloodstream. Eliminating sugar while simultaneously increasing natural protein and fiber intake boosts energy levels to a great extent. It also improves metabolic activity. Helps with a proper BMI Excess sugar in the bloodstream is one of the main reasons for many people not being able to lose those extra pounds.

Statistics suggest that almost 90% of the people in the country regularly exceed their daily sugar intake. Excess sugar intake contributes to obesity and diabetes. Moreover, people who are unaware of their blood sugar levels may consume more sugar, worsening the condition. Hence it is important to be aware of symptoms that develop with increased intake of sugar. Let’s take a look at what happens to the body when excess sugar is consumed. Tooth Decay This is the first sign the body sends when you eat excess sugar. The acid produced when sugar is broken down interacts with the enamel of the teeth, which causes them to decay. Increased hunger with weight gain With an increased sugar intake, there is also a surge in calorie intake, which increases bouts of hunger pangs. Stuffing with sugar instead of proteins and healthy fats can lead to excess weight. Skin problems  This is yet another thing that happens to the body when you eat sugar. Sugary foods (except fruits that are naturally sweet) have a high glycemic index, and such foods are associated with skin problems, like acne and wrinkles. Irritability It has been   observed that excess sugar intake can make you stressed and irritated.

Sugar is delicious; there’s no denying that. Eating it triggers opioid receptors in the brain, releasing tons of feel-good chemicals. So, it’s only normal to struggle with completely cutting sugar from your meal. But then the question that begs an answer is, do you really need to cut sugar from your foods completely? Read on to find out the answer and to understand how completely eliminating sugar can affect the human body. The difference between natural sugars and processed sugars So, do you really need to remove sugar from your meals? The answer to this question is a resounding no. This is because health experts suggest cutting out processed sugars from your meals. Processed or refined sugars are made from sugarcane and sugar beets. They are high in sucrose and provide no nutritional value. Instead, you do have the option to choose healthier natural sugars. Natural sugars are found in fruits, honey, and milk. They contain tons of natural vitamins and minerals. If you were to cut out sugar completely from your meals for health or other purposes, here are some things that would happen to your body Mood swings Consuming sugar can lead to the release of many feel-good chemicals in the brain.