Foods and Fruits That Diabetics Should Not Eat

A healthy diabetic diet can include any food in moderation, as long as it allows you to keep your blood sugar levels within target. However, "moderation" may be difficult to apply to some foods because of their very high carbohydrate content. Some foods also seem to trigger cravings or promote overeating. If you have diabetes, it may be best to avoid eating these foods, to prevent problems with your blood sugar that could compromise your health.

Diabetics should avoid eating large amounts of fruits or foods that contain a lot of sugar. (Image: Kondor83/iStock/Getty Images)

Large Fruits

Many fruits at the supermarket today are made to be larger in size, which means they contain a lot more carbohydrates per serving. Diabetics should keep their carbohydrate intake moderate, because carbs influence your blood sugar more than other nutrients. Avoid large apples, which contain over 30 g of carbohydrates; choose a very small apple to cut your carb intake in half. The same goes for oranges and pears. If you enjoy mango, papaya or melon, keep your serving to no more than 1/2 cup.

Fruit Juices

Juice may provide some of the nutrients found in fruits, but a very important factor is missing: fiber. Without the fiber, fruit juices are a lot less satisfying compared to whole fruits, and can result in a quicker rise in your blood sugar levels. In addition, most diabetics do not keep their serving to 4 oz., and consume up to 12 oz. or 16 oz. at a time, resulting in consumption of up to 40 g to 55 g of carbohydrates.

Dried Fruits

Dried fruits are a very concentrated source of carbohydrates. Unless you can stick to a serving of no more than 1 tbsp. to 2 tbsp., you should not eat them. Because dried fruits are dehydrated, they take less space in your stomach, and it is easy to overeat. For example, if you eat about 1/2 cup of raisins, dried cranberries, dried figs, dried banana or dried apple, it adds up to close to 50 g to 60 g of carbohydrates

Refined Flours

All foods containing refined flour contain large amounts of quickly digestible carbohydrates, or carbohydrates that can result in a quick and large elevation in your blood sugar levels. Read food labels, and avoid products made with white or refined flours. Don't eat white bread, white buns, white pizza dough, crackers, pasta, fiberless breakfast cereals or baked goods if you want to better control your diabetes, blood sugar and weight.

Added Sugar

Diabetics should stay away from foods and beverages containing added sugar, whether it is table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, dextrose, glucose or fructose. All these foods are rich in carbohydrates; they are not good sources of important nutrients. Eliminate soft drinks, energy drinks, sugary coffees, candies, cookies, pies, cakes, chocolate bars and other desserts.