Avoid these 5 foods this festive season if you're diabetic

This is the season of festivities and celebrations, and it is best enjoyed if you are hale and hearty. Maintaining good health is pivotal to enjoying a festival, and any ailment can take the fun out of this period of fun and joy. Certain foods can cause problems like food poisoning, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain if not consumed cautiously or in adequate amounts. For diabetics, avoiding certain food is of utmost importance, more so since food is an integral part of the festive season, and it is available in abundance. So to help diabetics enjoy a worry-free festival, here are five foods that must be avoided this festive season.

The greatest worry for diabetics is high blood sugar. Of the three macronutrients, fats, carbs, and proteins, carbs have the greatest effect on blood sugar levels, since they are broken down into sugar and absorbed into the bloodstream. Carbs include starch, sugar, and fiber, although fiber does not raise blood sugar since it isn’t digested and absorbed. So the key for diabetics is to avoid anything high in carbs.

Beverages that have been sweetened with sugar or other artificial sweeteners are the worst drink choice for diabetes patients. Drinks like sodas, iced tea, and commercial fruit juice are loaded with fructose and are linked to insulin resistance and diabetes. The high sugar concentration also promotes belly fat and harmful cholesterol levels.

Sauces like ketchup and mayonnaise are served with savouries during the festive season. These condiments are loaded with sugar and can adversely affect blood sugar levels. Similarly, syrups like honey and maple which might be used to enhance the taste of food, beverages or mithais contain almost the same amount of carbs like sugar, making them unsafe for diabetics.

Snacks like potato chips and wafers contain fast-digesting carbs that rapidly increase blood sugar levels. Not only are they responsible for a spike in blood sugar, but they are also unhealthy as they contain no nutrition and are heavily processed.

Dry fruits are not only a popular snack during festivals, an assortment of dry fruits also makes for a popular gift. You are likely to come across almonds or cashews at some point, but it is best if you stay away from them. While they are more nutritious than fresh fruit, the sugar is more concentrated in dry fruits. One cup of grapes contains 27 grams of carbs, while one cup of raisins contains whopping 115 grams of carbs. Opt for whole fruits or berries instead.

Last but not the least, this entry had to be added. Mithais carry the essence of any Indian festivals, and it is hard to resist consuming them. You need to be wary while eating, let’s say kaju ki barfi, as it is loaded with sugar, putting you at risk of increased blood sugar. Mithai is probably the hardest food to say no to, but it is important that you build self control to avoid consuming the sugar.