Avoid Sugary Drinks

We all know that we should make smart decisions when it comes to the foods we eat. But don't forget that the beverages we drink can also have an effect on our weight and blood glucose!

Q True or False? People with diabetes can only drink water.
right

Water is without a doubt the best thing to drink. But there are other options like unsweetened tea, diet soda, coffee and low calorie drinks which you can drink as well.

Wrong

Water is without a doubt the best thing to drink. But there are other options like unsweetened tea, diet soda, coffee and low calorie drinks which you can drink as well.

Beverages

After you eat your blood sugar level goes up. Foods and beverages containing carbohydrates raise blood glucose the most.

Beverages which should be avoided to keep your blood glucose in control are:

  1. Regular soda
  2. Juice
  3. Hot chocolate
  4. Sweetened tea

Healthier beverages you can choose:

  1. Water
  2. Diet sodas
  3. Sugar-free beverages
  4. Carbonated water
  5. Unsweetened t6ea

Unless you are hypoglycemic (blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dl), your body does not need the 8 teaspoons of sugar contained in one 12-oz. can of soda. Drinking water helps hydrate the body and keeps your kidneys happy.

Milk

Milk is a good source of calcium. Calcium helps build and maintain healthy bones and Prevents osteoporosis. Milk also has 8 essential nutrients to keep you healthy, including vitamin D, vitamin B, phosphorus, protein, potassium, niacin, and vitamin A. The challenge for people with diabetes is that milk is counted as a carbohydrate.

The recommendation is to have two to three servings from the dairy food group per day. One serving is 8 ounces of nonfat or low-fat milk or nonfat yogurt. Be sure to include dairy items or other calcium-rich foods in your meal plan. Ask your care team for help finding good calcium food sources.

This information is a summary from the "Your First Year with Diabetes" and is provided with the permission of the American Diabetes Association.

It is a comprehensive book and recommended by the American Diabetes Association for newly diagnosed individuals.

Click on the image to go to the American Diabetes Association bookstore.

Note: Care4life has no commercial interest in any of the books or resources it recommends