Despite the widespread prevalence of diabetes and a lot of awareness about it, many myths and wrong information surround it. Patients tend to believe that only sugary foods can increase blood sugar and that avoiding sweets can help cure them. However, desserts are not the only source of sugar. Plenty of ordinary, seemingly healthy foods can also increase blood sugar. If you have diabetes, it is important to understand which foods to avoid.

Five surprising foods that can increase blood sugar
Aside from food, other factors that cause blood sugar’s sudden rise and fall are lifestyle, stress, certain underlying diseases, and prescription treatments. Lack of exercise, dehydration, and lack of sleep can also cause a spike in sugar levels. While most of us know that sugar and high-carb foods can cause fluctuation in blood sugar, here are five surprising foods that can increase blood sugar:

Brown rice
Brown rice captivated the hearts of fitness-conscious people as a superfood with many benefits. Many converted from white rice to brown rice. It is rich in fiber and antioxidants and helps in building immunity. However, it still has a high carb content that can be broken down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream after metabolism. Do not take more than 1/3rd cup of brown rice – anything more can spike your blood sugar.

Oatmeal
One cup of oatmeal contains about 27 grams of carbs. If you have been having packaged oatmeal or cooking plain oats on your own, both can cause an increase in your blood sugar. Instead of eating oatmeal alone, reduce the portion size and pair it with another dish like egg, yogurt, fruits, or nuts to reduce oats and control blood sugar. Use cinnamon or berries to add flavor. Do not add milk, dried fruit, artificial sweeteners, honey, or cream to your oatmeal, as it can spike blood sugar.

Sweet potato
Sweet potato is often considered an alternative to potatoes for people with diabetes. However, this should not be the case. All potatoes may have about 30 grams of carbs each. One or two boiled, roasted, or baked sweet potato can cause a significant spike in your sugar level.

Yogurt
Yogurt is a very popular snack and dessert as it contains probiotics and is very tasty. Unfortunately, store-bought flavored yogurt contains artificial sweeteners and preservatives. It is also heavily processed – all of which can increase blood sugar. If you love yogurt, you can learn to make Greek yogurt at home and add diabetic-friendly fruits as toppings instead of consuming processed yogurt.

Whole wheat bread and pasta
Whole wheat bread and pasta have been widely promoted as healthy alternatives to white bread and pasta made from refined flour. Though it may contain more vitamins and fiber than white bread, it may not benefit diabetes patients. These food items contain as many processed carbs as white bread!

Five signs that indicate excess blood sugar
Blood sugar can suddenly shoot up not just for people with diabetes but also for those recovering from heart disease or an infection. It is not a concern if you occasionally experience excess blood sugar, as it can return to normal on its own or with treatment. Excess sugar that does not come down for a long time is a cause for concern and leads to severe health complications. Knowing the early signs of excess blood sugar can help you identify it for yourself or your family member. Once you observe the changes in your body and identify possible signs of excess blood sugar, you can take corrective steps to reduce it. Visit your primary physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Five signs that indicate excess blood sugar are:

Frequent urination
An unusual and frequent urge to urinate is one of the first signs of high blood sugar. This happens as the kidneys work extra to send the sugar out of the body. If you urinate more than 20 times during the day, it is an indication of excess blood sugar.

Increased appetite
You may feel hungry even right after a meal. In people with type 2 diabetes, since the body is insulin resistant, the muscles can’t get energy from the food they eat and send a signal saying they want energy. This signal is what people with diabetes feel as hunger. The constant hunger is an indication of excess blood sugar.

Extreme thirst
Our body pulls the fluids from our tissues to dilute the excess sugar in the blood. The tissues become dehydrated, and as a result, you constantly feel thirsty even after drinking water. Increased urination also adds to the thirst. Extreme thirst is an early indication of diabetes and excess blood sugar.

Delay in the healing of wounds and bruises
Excess blood sugar causes blood vessels to stiffen, restricting blood flow to injuries and bruises. Because of this, it takes more than the standard time for wounds to heal. If you notice that cuts and bruises take longer than normal to heal, it could indicate excess blood sugar.

Frequent and unexplained infections
Bacteria thrive in blood with high sugar, putting diabetes patients at risk for frequent infections. Women are at higher risk for bladder and vaginal infections. It could be a sign of high sugar if you notice frequent infections.

Prevention of chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes
Both types of diabetes put patients at high risk for chronic kidney disease. It develops slowly and, in most cases, does not show any symptoms. Here are some ways by which you can prevent chronic kidney disease if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes:

Do not miss a doctor’s appointment; take the prescription on time without missing or altering the dosage.
Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and keep them within normal range.
Test your sugar level periodically as advised by your doctor.
Do an A1C test at least twice a year.
Maintain blood pressure and cholesterol within limits.
Avoid food rich in phosphorous, sodium, and potassium.
Increase the number of fruits and vegetables.
Exercise regularly.