Vegetables To Avoid For Diabetes

A diabetes diagnosis for anyone can be pretty overwhelming. As soon as one is diagnosed with this lifestyle disorder, a lot is required to change to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially the diet. Every meal of the day needs to be perfectly balanced so as not to cause a spike in blood sugar levels. There is a misconception in general that all vegetables are healthy and perfect for inclusion in a diabetes-friendly diet- which is not always true. 

There are certain vegetables for people with diabetes to avoid due to their composition and not-so-ideal nutritional profile. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, a common lifestyle disorder, or know someone who has, this guide will help you design a healthy diabetes-friendly diet. So let’s quickly take a look at the list of vegetables you should avoid if you have been diagnosed with diabetes shared below.

10 Vegetables for people with diabetes to Avoid

Diabetes can be tough to handle if a proper diet isn’t maintained. But you can make things easier by keeping the following vegetables away from your everyday diet. The following list of vegetables to avoid in diabetes can help you plan your meals accordingly.‍

1. Butternut Squash

Although butternut squash comes loaded with nutrients and fiber, it isn’t really a good vegetable if you have high blood sugar levels. Butternut squash has a lot of carbohydrates, whose consumption can hamper the body, leading to instability in keeping your blood sugar levels within limits. People with fluctuating blood sugar issues should avoid consuming this vegetable because its harmful effects exceed way too much than its benefits. Also read about sugar free fruits.

2. Potatoes

A staple in most diets, potatoes are another item on the list of vegetables for people with diabetess to avoid. It is incredibly unhealthy for people with diabetes because of its high starch and carbohydrate content. These components can quickly cause significant harm to a person’s blood sugar levels pretty quickly after consumption. Potatoes also have a high glycemic index of 86 for every 100 grams, making them unfit for a diabetes-friendly diet. Whether it is baked, fried, boiled, or roasted, potatoes in any form are harmful to blood sugar management. 

3. Corn

Corn is used in various meal preparations, but it isn’t healthy for people diagnosed with diabetes, even in small quantities. Even one cup of corn can add approximately 21 carbohydrates to your body. It even contains glucose which can negatively affect your blood sugar levels. Like corn, even the syrup made using this vegetable is harmful and should be avoided. 

4. Celery

A surprising entry to the list of vegetables to avoid in diabetes is celery. Although it contains low calories, low carbohydrates, and high water content, the way it is grown and transported makes all the difference. Celery is more affected by pesticides since it is a tall-growing vegetable. It is often laden with harmful chemicals and pesticides by the time it reaches your house, making it significantly dangerous for consumption. As people with diabetes have low immunity, consuming such food can give rise to various health disorders.

5. Green Peas

If you were wondering what green vegetable is bad for diabetes, green peas are your answer. Although it provides a good amount of nourishment to the body, it is considered harmful for people diagnosed with diabetes because of its high carbohydrate content. Consuming a high amount of peas can lead to carbohydrate accumulation in the body, which in turn can increase the blood sugar levels.

6. Packaged Vegetable Juice

Although not directly a vegetable, it is included in the list because many people use it to substitute for fresh vegetables. Whether you’re taking juice made from carrots, bottle gourd, tomato, bitter gourd, etc., make sure they’re not store-bought. Packaged juices generally contain high sugar, chemicals, and preservatives which take away all the nutritional value from the juice. If you have diabetes, such food can disrupt your blood sugar levels and invite several health disorders, thanks to the product’s contents.

7. Canned Vegetables

Irrespective of the vegetable you’re consuming, if it is canned, you’re putting in a lot of chemicals and preservatives inside your body. It can be similar to packaged vegetable juice and have harmful health effects, especially on people with diabetes. If you want to get the highest nutritional benefits, always have fresh and organic vegetables bought from the market.

8. Fried Vegetables or Oily Vegetables

Consuming vegetables is not a problem if you cook them the right way. When any vegetable is fried in a large amount of oil or butter, it fills the vegetable with saturated fat, making it unhealthy for consumption. Such food can be harmful to people diagnosed with diabetes as their immunity is already low, and their bodies may not respond well to such a high amount of saturated fats. If you like a vegetable, consider boiling, baking, or roasting it to retain its nutritional profile.

9. Pickled Vegetables

Not all vegetable types are healthy, especially if you’re having difficulty dealing with a lifestyle disorder. For those who don’t know, pickling is a process wherein a vegetable is made to sit in high amounts of sodium for long hours. The use of too much salt and vinegar is a bad preparation choice, impacting a person’s blood pressure. People with diabetes are prone to cardiovascular diseases, and consuming too much sodium can make it worse.

10. Vegetable Oil

Last on the list is vegetable oil, which many deem healthy. These oils have high trans fat that can be harmful to people already dealing with the various associated problems arising out of diabetes. Most partially hydrogenated oils are an extension of trans fat and are highly inflammatory in nature. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes and using partially hydrogenated soy and palm oil, you should stop it now. You can replace these oils with grapeseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil.

What are the Best Vegetables for people with diabetes?

Now that you’re aware of what green vegetables are bad for diabetes, it’s time to take a quick look at the vegetables that are ideal or beneficial for a diabetes-friendly diet. Of all the available vegetables, you should try including more broccoli, carrots, kale, cauliflower, spinach, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, lettuce, cucumber, pepper, mushrooms, and more.

Have Vegetables that Help You Overcome Diabetes

Getting rid of diabetes can be a task, but it isn’t impossible. If you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, you can start seeing some improvements in your overall health. Since diet plays an incredibly crucial role in maintaining one’s health, it’s crucial to make changes in your diet plan. By incorporating the vegetables we suggested in your diet and staying from the ones we’ve mentioned, you’ll be able to quickly gain better control over your health. Read more to know about what level of blood sugar is dangerous?

FAQs

What are the best fruits for people with diabetes?

Berries, peaches, kiwi, apricots, pears, apples, and oranges are some of the best fruits for people with diabetes. Although these fruits boast a robust nutritional profile, they should be consumed in moderation.  

What food can lower blood sugar quickly?

If you’re looking for food items that can lower your blood sugar levels, try eating more broccoli, beans, pumpkins, okra, flax seeds, nuts, lettuce, zucchini, and leafy greens like spinach. 

Is celery bad for diabetics?

Celery is safe for diabetics to eat. In fact, because of its high fibre content and low glycemic index, it is a low-calorie, low-carb vegetable that can be a beneficial addition to a diabetic diet.

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