Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes fluctuations in blood sugar. Either your body does not make enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Diabetes is primarily classified into four primary types, which are type 1, type 2, gestational, and prediabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system attacks the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to the insulin it produces. Gestational diabetes takes place during pregnancy, when there is excess blood glucose in the placenta; and prediabetes is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. The symptoms of diabetes largely include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, and extreme fatigue. In men, low muscle strength and erectile dysfunction are common; and in women, urinary tract infections (UTI) and yeast infections are typical symptoms. As diabetes is related to fluctuations in blood sugar, food plays a vital role in managing it (as do treatments. You can look into receiving a discount for jardiance, discount for empagliflozin and metformin.)

Here are six foods that diabetics should steer clear of:

1. Sugary foods

Sugar is bad in all forms. Processed sugar is especially harmful, and is the worst for people with diabetes. These are essentially low-quality carbohydrates that result in a sharp spike in blood sugar. Such foods lead to unhealthy weight gain too. Simple carbohydrates cause the body to produce extra insulin, which is responsible for storing fat. It does not mean that you must swear off sugar, but you must plan your calorie intake and try to keep your sugar consumption—direct or indirect—to a bare minimum.

2. Foods rich in trans fats

Hydrogenating unsaturated fats creates unhealthy trans fats. They are present in foods like margarine, fried foods, frozen foods, muffins, and mass-produced bakery products. Unlike sugar, they do not directly raise your blood sugar levels. But, they lower the level of good cholesterol, increase inflammation, and exacerbate insulin resistance. Apart from worsening diabetes, trans fats also intensify the risk of heart disease.

3. Foods containing artificial sweeteners
When sugar is off the table, people often turn to artificial sweeteners. But it is important to remember that they are not any better. One study shows that drinking artificially sweetened beverages increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 70 percent. In fact, chemical sweeteners are known to be more harmful than table sugar. Besides, artificial sweeteners also adversely affect the taste buds. You can replace these with natural sweeteners, such as agave nectar and maple syrup.

4. Processed meats
Meats are rich in fats, and sodium and preservatives when processed. All three have an adverse effect on those with type 2 diabetes. Sodium causes inflammation, and saturated fats not only make you gain weight, but also put you at risk of many other health conditions.

5. Refined grains
Refined grains like white rice increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. People who eat white rice everyday are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who don’t. White rice and pasta cause a spike in blood sugar, just like sugary foods. Because of their high fiber content, whole grains slow down the rush of glucose into the bloodstream. Hence, substituting white rice with the brown variety at least twice a week is a better idea.

You can manage diabetes smoothly if you follow a healthy diet, maintain an active lifestyle, and regularly monitor your blood sugar level.