While convenience foods serve their purpose as convenience, they are not the healthiest option for anyone. Convenience foods are often full of added sodium, sugar, and artificial ingredients. Convenience foods can also include a hefty dose of refined carbohydrates that throw blood sugar out of control.
These are the best prepared foods that raise blood sugar…
1. Frozen dinners. Frozen dinners are notorious for containing tons of added sodium, not to mention additives. It’s best to skip these and make as much of your meal as possible. If you’re short on time, try tossing together a salad with lots of greens and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
2. Soft drinks and juices. Both sodas and juices are loaded with sugar! So don’t be fooled by diet sodas. Diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners that are just as harmful as refined sugar. Skip the sodas and fruit juices, and opt for sweetened natural sparkling water with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice.
3. Granola bars. While often considered healthy snack options, granola bars can contain as much added sugar as a candy bar! If granola bars are your favorite snack, be sure to read the Nutrition Facts label and skip anything that lists sugar as one of the first ingredients. Try to stick to a granola bar that is naturally sweetened with ingredients like dried fruit, raw honey, or pure maple syrup.
4. Flavored yogurt. While a convenient breakfast or snack option, flavored yogurts are high in sugar. The good news is that you can still enjoy yogurt; choose full-fat unsweetened Greek yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.
5. Protein shakes. While not all protein shakes are unhealthy, many protein powders contain added sugar and artificial ingredients. Added unhealthy ingredients can be harsh on the digestive system, can trigger inflammation, and can also cause blood sugar imbalances. If you like to enjoy a protein shake as a convenient snack, try sticking to a protein powder with no added ingredients: protein powders like collagen protein or hemp protein.
While convenience foods can make eating on the go easy, not all of them are healthy and can lead to a host of problems when it comes to balancing blood sugar levels. Skip the foods on this list and choose one of the healthier and more convenient food options below…
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a piece of fruit with a handful of nuts,
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full fat unsweetened yogurt with fruit,
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a bowl of overnight oats, or
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avocado toast.