Thread: Foods To Avoid for Diabetics

Thanks for this post mikaela. Diabetes really need to watch what they eat. I think everybody should consider avoiding these foods as much as possible so they can avoid developing this disease.

I agree. They could also remove the skin from chicken when they cook them (whether baked or boiled) to reduce the fat. They should also avoid butter and margarine since they contain high saturated fats.

they should avoid carbs too right? Especially those made of refined flour. I think it's bad for diabetics as well.

I am a diabetic but off medication for over 3 years now. Within 2 months of going on a low carb (below 30gm of carbohydrates) diet, I was able to discontinue my mealtime insulin. It took another 2-3 months before I could discontinue the daily insulin and that only because I discovered the link between excess protein and the pancreas treating it the same as carbs. When I dropped my protein down to about 60 (roughly) grams per day (1gm per kg of ideal weight), it was only a day or two before my meter readings dropped to normal limits *without* medication. By the experts standards, my diet was high in fat...and saturated fat...and yet my cholesterol levels moved into the normal range. This is fairly typical of people who stick to a low carb diet. There are no studies that show saturated fat is a problem in conjunction with a low carb diet. A high carb, high fat diet, yes...problem.

Not all carbs are bad. Those found in vegetables are fine. The carbs found in pasta, bread, and yes even whole grains and brown rice...have a negative impact on diabetics. It used to be that diabetics were counseled to eat a diet high in whole grains and fiber and less protein. Now, many of those same experts are coming around to the fact that these things can cause poorly controlled diabetes as well.

I've been on a low fat, strictly calorie controlled, higher carb diet...mostly vegetarian. For 3 years I've not had a problem. However, after the last year of lab results, my doctor has suggested I go back to a low carb method of eating because my A1C has been going up steadily and she feels the low carb diet will control that better than anything else and without medication.

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Oh...wanted to add that I've been finding all sorts of information that also indicates that a higher fat diet is better for you than a low fat...assuming you are also doing low carb (under 60gm carbs per day). Unfortunately, many doctors are still recommending 'diabetic' diets with 160gm per day. At that level I'd still be taking insuling; however, if a diabetic is eating more than 60gm per day, then yes, they should also watch their fat. Under 60 and it's just not an issue...and studies actually show low carb/high fat diets are more beneficial (even for non-diabetics) than low carb/low fat diets.

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Mikaela,
You might suggest the book "The Diabetes Solution" by Dr. Richard Bernstein. It's an eye opener. My doctor actually suggested the book to me at the same time she wanted me to go from a vegetarian diet back to the low carb diet.

They're usually quite thrilled when a diabetic gets their A1C down to 7. My most recent A1C is at 5. Reason for celebration since 4-5 is where the risk of heart problems (A1C is an indicator) drops dramatically.

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