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Approximately 3.4 million people live with diabetes, and approximately 5.7 million are prediabetic. Within the next decade, the numbers are expected to rise to 5 million and 6.4 million, respectively. Older adults who want to prevent diabetes should avoid eating the following unhealthy foods.
1.Ice Cream
An occasional ice cream cone or sundae is relatively harmless. However, seniors must realize this popular snack food is full of carbohydrates, fat, and sugar. The combination gives ice cream a glycemic index rating of 61. When made with whole milk or cream, half of the fat content is saturated fat, which increases cholesterol levels. A steady diet of ice cream also increases the likelihood of gaining excess weight. Obesity and high cholesterol levels raise the risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes.
Many seniors require assistance with eliminating unhealthy foods from their diets. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of senior care. Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2.Processed or Red Meats
Bacon, deli meats, hot dogs, and sausages have high levels of fat, salt, and nitrites. These ingredients have the potential to raise blood pressure, cause other cardiovascular issues, and lead to weight gain. Regularly eating these types of meat raises the risk of developing diabetes by 51 percent. Consuming just three ounces of red meat raises diabetes risk by up to 19 percent. Nutritionists recommend restricting red meat intake to once a week and eating plenty of poultry, eggs, and fatty fish.
Preparing nutritious meals and snacks for older adults can be challenging for overworked family caregivers. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Las Vegas family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
3.Sweet Breakfast Cereals
The majority of boxed breakfast cereals contain an abundance of sugar. A one-cup serving of a popular sweetened cereal may have up to 15 grams of sugar and 28 grams of carbohydrates. Even unsweetened corn flakes have a glycemic rating of 84. Seniors should choose cereals with approximately one gram of sugar and 20 grams of carbohydrates.
4.Sweet Foods & Beverages
Fruit juices, sodas, and commercially prepared baked goods are typically high in sugar. When regularly included in daily diets, these foods increase the risk of unnecessary weight gain. Artificially sweetened foods are also not recommended. Saccharin wreaks havoc on the digestive system and interferes with the actions of healthy gut bacteria.
5.White Bread
White bread is easily digested and considered a refined carbohydrate. During digestion, the gastrointestinal system rapidly breaks down the bread into sugar, which may overload the bloodstream. Most commercially available white bread also contains ingredients that lead to weight gain.
6.White Rice
White rice is another food with a high glycemic index rating. When a meal contains white rice and other high-glycemic foods, the body undergoes glycemic overload. The pancreas must then work harder to manufacture and release insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. In time, insulin-secreting cells in the organ fail to function properly, and diabetes develops.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Assisting Hands Home Care Las Vegas is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. If you need professional care for your senior loved one, Assisting Hands Home Care is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Specialists today.
