According to Diabetes Canada, 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.
Diabetes is just one of the many health issues older adults are susceptible to. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elder care. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
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.
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.
Many older adults require assistance with giving up unhealthy foods and preparing nutritious meals. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of homecare. Oakville Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
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.
Diabetes often leads to a wide variety of serious medical conditions in older adults. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Oakville seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (905) 337-1200 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.