The 11 Worst Foods For Diabetics (Slideshow)

Foods that are high in sugar can cause blood sugar to spike, but plenty of foods that aren't sweet can still have a high glycemic index and add too much sugar too quickly to your bloodstream .

Potatoes are a simple starch, and can cause blood glucose levels to shoot through the roof. Frying them adds a ton of grease into the mix, which is a double whammy. Instead, opt for a side of non-starchy vegetables or oven-baked sweet potatoes, which have a low glycemic index. 

Whole grain bread is a much better option that white bread, because its high fiber levels allow blood sugar to rise more slowly. White bread, with its refined carbs and lack of nutrients, causes a much faster blood sugar spike.  

Candy doesn't just contain almost zero nutritional value, it's also essentially pure sugar. 

Raisins and other dried fruits contain a concentrated level of sugars, which will be quickly absorbed by the body and lead to a blood sugar spike. 

Not only are pancakes and waffles usually made with refined white flour, they're usually topped with artery-clogging butter and a whole lot of breakfast syrup, which is usually just high fructose corn syrup. Opt for the egg whites instead. 

Dairy products like whole milk, cheese, and full-fat yogurt contain a lot more sugar than you think. Their high saturated-fat content can also erode insulin resistance. 

Lean protein should be the only kind eaten by diabetics, because fatty meats like burgers and well-marbled steaks contain a lot of cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease. 

Cakes and pastries aren't just loaded with carbs, they're also loaded with simple sugars, which can lead to a major blood sugar spike. Packaged cakes are even more of a no-no since they contain trans fats, which can lead to heart disease. 

Deep-fried foods, like fish-and-chips and fried chicken, are generally loaded with fat, calories, carbohydrates, and sodium. Lots of fried foods are also loaded with artery-clogging saturated fat. 

Cookies are loaded with sugar, fat, and carbohydrates, and packaged cookies are even worse because they usually also contain high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and trans fats.

While they made seem healthy because of all the fruit, sugary juices should be avoided by diabetics, and smoothies are sometimes even worse than those. They contain a ton of sugar; there are up to 70 grams in a McCafe strawberry banana smoothie alone!