6 Worst Foods for People With Diabetes

How to choose food

If you have diabetes, watching what you eat is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy. “The basic goal of nutrition for people with diabetes is to avoid blood sugar spikes,” says Gerald Bernstein, M.D., director of the diabetes management program at Friedman Diabetes Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Candy and soda can be dangerous for diabetics because the body absorbs these simple sugars almost instantly. But all types of carbs need to be watched, and foods high in fat—particularly unhealthy fats—are problematic as well because people with diabetes are at very high risk of heart disease, says Sandy Andrews, RD, director of education for the William Sansum Diabetes Center in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Worst: White rice

The more white rice you eat, the greater your risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a 2012 review. In a study of more than 350,000 people, those who ate the most white rice were at greatest risk for type 2 diabetes, and the risk increased 11% for each additional daily serving of rice. “Basically anything highly processed, fried, and made with white flour should be avoided,” says Andrews. White rice and pasta can cause blood sugar spikes similar to that of sugar.

Have this instead: Brown rice or wild rice. These whole grains don’t cause the same blood sugar spikes thanks to fiber, which helps slow the rush of glucose into the bloodstream, says Andrews. What’s more, a Harvard School of Public Health study found that two or more weekly servings of brown rice was linked to a lower diabetes risk.

Worst: Chinese food

All fresh fruit is packed with vitamins and fiber, making them a healthy part of any diet. However, some fruits contain more sugar. “Bananas, melons, and stone fruits like peaches and nectarines are on the high-sugar side,” says Cathy Doria-Medina, M.D., a Los Angeles endocrinologist. These may cause blood sugar spikes more than other fruit, although this may not be true for everyone.

Have this instead: Granny Smith apples, blueberries, and other berries are lower in sugar. “But what works for one diabetic may not work for another, so you need to find which fruits work best for you,” says Dr. Doria-Medina. “Combining the fruit with peanut butter or low-fat cheese (making sure to reduce the fruit portion by half) is also a good way to cut down the fruit portion.” Test your blood sugar two hours after eating to find out how you react.

Worst: Chinese food

High-calorie, high fat, high-sodium, and high-carb Chinese food dishes can spike blood sugar dramatically and keep it high for a while, says Andrews. The biggest offenders include fried entrees such as orange chicken and sweet and sour dishes, which contain breading and are served swimming in a sugary sauce.

Have this instead: If you enjoy Chinese food, prepare a modified recipe at home using steamed veggies and low-sodium, low-fat condiments and flavorings. Reducing sodium can help lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart attacks. Skip the white rice and noodles; have brown rice or wild rice instead.