Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin to control blood glucose levels. While type 2 diabetes has only been common in adults, an unhealthy lifestyle and carbohydrate-rich food habits have made kids prone to this condition too. If you or your child is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you should be making changes to food habits. Here are some foods that should be avoided by patients with type 2 diabetes:
Sugary beverages
Sugary beverages top the list of foods to avoid with type 2 diabetes. Common beverages you sip on such as packaged fruit juices, packed milkshakes, and sodas are full of sugar, which will instantly boost their blood glucose levels. You should check the ingredients list to find out how much sugar each of these contains. It is a good choice to completely eliminate these from their diet.
White bread
White bread is a common food item that is used multiple times in a day. Kids usually get packed sandwiches for lunch, and sandwiches often include 2-4 pieces of white bread. White bread is made of processed flour, which has a very high Glycemic Index (GI). The higher the GI index, the more the blood sugar level shoots up. White bread is definitely one of the foods to avoid by children with type 2 diabetes.
Chips
Potato chips are a very common snack for all ages. Potato is a starchy vegetable, and when it is deep-fried, its GI index increases. Consuming 100 grams of generic potato chips will give your child 53 grams of carbohydrates — this will definitely make type 2 diabetes worse. If your child demands chips, you can try offering baked vegetable chips instead.
Deep-fried snacks
While good fat is beneficial for children with type 2 diabetes, it’s best to avoid deep-fried items. When you buy deep-fried foods that are packaged in industries or made in restaurants, the oil they use and the ingredients added cannot be monitored. Most of the fried chicken, burgers, and breakfast bacon available are high in saturated fats and are not good for diabetic children.
Simple carbohydrates
Simple carbohydrates such as white rice and white flour are those that are easily broken down by the system and such foods immediately release glucose to the bloodstream. These almost always have a high GI index. Instead, opt for complex carbohydrates such as barley, oats, whole wheat, and brown rice. These release glucose slowly and do not increase the blood sugar level quickly.
It is sometimes difficult to implement food rules for children. This is why it is a good idea to identify foods to avoid in children with type 2 diabetes early on and avoid these as a family. When you practice healthy eating at home, your child will pick it up too.
