Diabetes is a serious disease with many dangerous complications, and diet plays a major role. Worryingly, it is now affecting younger people more often. There is no cure; treatments focus on controlling blood sugar through insulin, diet, and medication.
If left uncontrolled, diabetes can damage the nervous system, internal organs, and even increase cancer risk.
The recent death of a 36-year-old teacher from diabetes complications is a tragic reminder of the disease’s dangers.
The Tragic Case of Ms. Luong, a 36-Year-Old Teacher
Ms. Luong, a 36-year-old Chinese teacher, tragically passed away from severe diabetes after years of neglecting her health. She first showed symptoms like fatigue, stomach pain, and a rapid heartbeat in late 2020 but delayed seeing a doctor due to work. A few months ago, she collapsed in class and was diagnosed with advanced diabetes. Despite eight hours of emergency care, she didn’t survive.
Her husband, heartbroken, wondered how she developed the disease despite rarely eating sweets. Doctors later found that while she avoided sugary snacks, her favorite foods were still high in sugar, causing dangerously high blood sugar levels.
1. Eggplant (Cooked with Oil and Seasonings)
Eggplant is considered a nutritious food, containing no fat or cholesterol, and offering 1000 mg of protein, 15 mg of calcium, 400 mcg of iron, 1.5 g of fiber, 34 mg of phosphorus, 10 mcg of carotene, 15 mg of vitamin C, 600 mg of vitamin PP, and 100 mcg of vitamin B2.
However, Ms. Luong often cooked eggplant with plenty of herbs and oil. At 1.5 meters tall and weighing 65 kilograms, she was classified as overweight. Combined with her high-fat diet, this worsened her blood sugar levels and slowed her metabolism.
2. White Cauliflower (Stir-Fried in Lard)
She also ate a lot of white cauliflower, which is a low-calorie veggie that helps people lose weight. But she used hog fat to stir-fry it. According to doctors, eating cauliflower prepared this way on a regular basis can eventually be harmful to one’s health because it absorbs a lot of oil.
Other High-Risk Foods That Raise Blood Sugar
- White Bread
White bread is made with refined grains, not whole grains. Eating it too often can make your blood sugar go up and even increase your risk of getting diabetes. - French Fries
Like most fried foods, French fries are high in fat and carbs. Both can make blood sugar problems worse. Since fats take longer to digest, eating fries can cause your blood sugar to spike and stay high for a while. - Canned Tomato Sauce
Bottled tomato sauce might seem harmless, but just one tablespoon can have about a teaspoon of sugar. The best way to avoid blood sugar spikes is to use it in small amounts. - Canned Soups
While homemade soups are a healthy way to eat more veggies, store-bought canned soups often have hidden ingredients like corn syrup, sugar, and lots of salt. Eating them regularly could slowly raise your risk of diabetes. - White Rice
White rice is packed with carbs that quickly turn into sugar in your body. After eating white rice, your blood sugar can jump up fast. If you have diabetes, it’s better to eat more vegetables and whole grains instead of a lot of white rice.
