There are many foods, both unhealthy and healthy, that can easily spike blood sugar levels. If you have type 2 diabetes, then you probably know those foods pretty well, as counting carbohydrates can help you control blood sugar levels. The number of carbs in a certain food, however, is not the only determining factor that affects blood sugar.
All carb-rich foods convert into sugar in the body, but a food’s fiber, fat, and protein all influence that food’s impact on blood sugar levels. All of those nutrients play a role in a food’s glycemic index (GI), which is a ranking of how drastically it can raise blood sugar levels compared with pure glucose. Pasta and sports drinks, for example, rank high on the list of high-GI foods. Lettuce, dark chocolate, peanuts, and other foods have a lower GI rating. Below, you’ll learn about six foods that tend to spike blood sugar levels, in addition to better ways to approach them to regulate blood sugar.
Fast Food
The common thought is that hamburgers and French fries are calorically dense and rich in unhealthy fats. That is true, but these foods are also rich in sugar and refined carbs, both of which can raise blood sugar levels. Many popular fast food chains sell burgers that contain as much sugar as a candy bar! A cheeseburger from a fast food place may contain seven grams (g) of sugar and 32 g of carbs, compared to a two-ounce Snickers bar, which contains 29 g of sugar and 35 g of carbs. Unfortunately, there is no recommendation for approaching fast food places in a healthy way. We recommend that you avoid these establishments at all costs.
Dried Fruit
Fruit can spike blood sugar levels if you consume a lot of it, but you don’t have to completely eliminate it from your diet. Many fruits offer fiber, beneficial vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants that help protect cells. When you do consume fruit, make sure that you only enjoy a single serving, as opposed to an entire bowl of fruit salad. Choose whole fresh fruits because they are not processed and don’t contain added sugars. Plus, you have the added nutrients that may help you manage type 2 diabetes.
Dried fruit tends to have a lot of sugar and processed ingredients. That is especially true for the varieties in trail mixes and such. A whole apricot, for example, contains a little over three g of sugar, while half of a dried apricot has nearly two g. If you want to enjoy dried fruit, choose the varieties that are free of preservatives and added sugars.
Starchy Vegetables
In large amounts, starchy vegetables like corn, potatoes, and peas can have a greater amount of carbs than non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Don’t eliminate starchy vegetables from your diet; rather, eat them in moderation. Starchy vegetables still provide beneficial nutrients and are usually higher in fiber than non-starchy vegetables. Pair your starchy vegetables with foods that contain healthy fats, fiber, and lean protein. In doing so, you will dramatically reduce the likelihood of a big blood sugar spike.
Sugar-Sweetened Drinks
We get it: soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks are delicious. It is very difficult to control your blood sugar if you drink those beverages, though. Ignore the heavy amounts of sugar in soda, sweetened juices, or teas for a second. These beverages do not contain any fiber, protein, or healthy fats. They also do nothing to fill you up and they may even increase the risk of dehydration on sunny days. The only thing they may be beneficial for is if someone needs to quickly raise blood sugar when experiencing acute hypoglycemia. Instead of drinking sugary sodas, opt for soda water, which is sugar-free and still provides carbonation. You can also add fresh fruit to water to naturally flavor the water and increase the healthy benefits.
Some Non-Dairy Milks
Some people decide to consume non-dairy milks to reduce their consumption of dairy products. In an effort to be healthier, people who drink more non-dairy milks may raise their blood sugar levels. These milks are not low-GI foods, with oat milk being the highest in sugar. Rice milk is the second highest in sugar, exhibiting a GI of 86. If you want to drink a non-dairy milk, opt for unsweetened versions. Unsweetened soy milk, for example, contains 0.5 g of sugar and 3.5 g of protein per serving.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
