Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle-related condition that can be managed but not cured, health experts say. The disease occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it effectively,
leading to elevated blood sugar levels. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can result in serious, even life-threatening complications.
While timely medication and avoiding sweets remain essential for managing the condition, experts caution that diabetes control requires broader dietary discipline. Certain everyday foods, though commonly considered healthy, may adversely affect blood sugar levels.
Ayurveda expert Diksha Bhavsan has highlighted three such foods that people with diabetes should limit or avoid to better regulate their condition.
Curd
According to her, curd is considered “warming” in Ayurveda and is slow to digest. Regular consumption, she explains, can increase phlegm in the body, which may contribute to weight gain, sluggish metabolism, reduced insulin sensitivity and worsening cholesterol levels. She suggests that thin buttermilk can be taken occasionally as a lighter alternative.
Jaggery
Jaggery, often promoted as a healthier substitute for sugar, also requires caution. Bhavsan notes that despite its natural origin, jaggery can raise blood sugar levels if consumed in excess, and people with diabetes should use it very sparingly.
Fruits
Fruits, though widely regarded as nutritious, are another area where careful choices are necessary. The expert points out that eating the wrong fruits, consuming them in large quantities or having them at inappropriate times can increase phlegm, which Ayurveda links to higher blood sugar levels.
Bhavsan emphasised that Ayurvedic texts clearly advise restraint with these foods for people with diabetes.
