What foods turn into blood sugar

Leading a healthy lifestyle includes balanced nutrition, in which the body receives all the necessary nutrients for its proper functioning. And, in this sense, preventing diseases such as diabetes and the resulting complications.

However, not only people who suffer diabetes they must take care of their diet and control their blood sugar levels, since experts agree that prevention is essential from an early age.

To begin with, it must be made clear that in general terms there are three food groups, also called macronutrients. These are carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The first group is made up of sugars such as honey, pasta, cereals, bread, as well as grains and fruits.

Proteins, meanwhile, include red meat, white meat such as fish, sausages, eggs and cheeses. Finally, fats are divided into two: those of vegetable origin, such as oils, avocados, nuts, and seeds, and those of animal origin, which are those found in meats, eggs, and milk.

Thus, when carbohydrates enter the cells of the body they are converted into glucose or sugar. It is worth mentioning that the entire food group in general, regardless of whether it is sweet or salty, a portion of pasta or an apple, is converted into glucose, which will be used in the form of energy.

In fact, the explanation for what happens in diabetes is that the body does not produce enough insulin -or does not use it optimally- to store the sugar from carbohydrates, consequently it does not enter the cells and instead accumulates in the blood.

“This does not mean that we should stop eating carbohydrates, since they are the main source of energy, but that we can moderate their effect on sugar levels, changing the amount and proportion of each food group that we consume in the diet (… .) Although carbohydrates are sugar-raising foods more than proteins and fats, the human body needs them to produce energy,” says the specialized portal ‘DiabetCentro’.

On the other hand, both fats and proteins can dispense with insulin to enter the cells of the body and are essential due to their extensive functions in the body, since they will not affect the sugar levels like carbohydrates since its effect is less.

In conclusion, it is advisable to include all food groups in the diet: carbohydrates, proteins and fats, since each one fulfills specific functions that contribute to maintaining good health.

However, it is necessary to adapt the portions according to the needs and risk factors of each one, so periodically visiting a specialist is one of the main recommendations, even more so if you suffer from a disease such as diabetes or hypertension, which are unfortunately – the main causes of death in the world, according to the World Health Organization.