Avoiding the foods that are the worst for prediabetes can prevent you from developing diabetes.

A glycemic index is a tool that helps you understand how different carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels.

The higher the GI index value of food, the faster it is broken down by the body.

woman eating healthy lunch

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Carbs with a high GI increase blood sugar quickly.

Eat This Instead

Instead of refined carbs, choose complex carbohydrates.

Complex carbs also give you long-lasting energy and help you feel full for a longer time.

Saturated fats can also increase your cholesterol and risk for heart disease.

Most adults should aim to get less than 10% of their daily calories from saturated fat.

They’re also high in sodium.

Dried Fruit

Fresh, whole fruit loses water and volume during the drying process.

As a result, its nutrient, calorie, and sugar content becomes more concentrated.

Dried fruit may also have additional sugar added during processing, which can contribute to increased blood sugar levels.

Enjoy fresh, frozen, or canned fruit without added sugar.

If you still want to have dried fruit, be mindful of your portion size.

For example, 1 cup of dried apricot halves contains 313 calories and 69 grams of sugar.

In contrast, 1 cup of fresh apricot halves contains 74 calories and 14 grams of sugar.

Top them with nuts, seeds, and/or berries for added flavor and crunch.

French Fries

French fries are a food to limit if you have prediabetes.

Studies also show that frequently consuming fried foods can significantly increase the risk of jot down 2 diabetes.

Opt for a bakedsweet potatoor a side of parsnips or lentilsinstead of french fries.

Additionally, many fat-free dressings contain more carbohydrates than the regular versions because the fat is replaced with sugar.

Jellies and jams are another hidden source of added and natural sugar.

They also tend to lack fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

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