DiabetesNutrition

9 surprising foods that can raise your blood sugar levels

Understanding nutrition labels and the glycemic index can help you select foods that help you manage your blood sugar levels.


LearnHormone healthDiabetes9 surprising foods that can raise your blood sugar levels
How much sugar can you have
It’s not just about the sugar count
Enjoy bananas (within reason)
Rice cakes
Processed or flavored oatmeal
Pasta sauce
Baked potato
Specialty coffee drinks
Flavored yogurts
White baguette
Condiments like ketchup

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When you’re managing your blood sugar levels, it can take a lot of research to make sure you’re eating foods that are low in added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Even seemingly “healthy” and wholesome foods can cause your blood sugar levels to rise.

We spoke with Sarah Varghese, MD, about common foods that may be secretly spiking your blood sugar. Dr. Varghese is an endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism specialist at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, New Jersey.

Here are nine foods everyone should know about, plus tips on how to detect surprising sources of sugar on your own.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Preventi... + 18
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get the Facts: Added Sugars. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Healthy Living with Diabetes. Page last reviewed October 2023.
  3. American Diabetes Association. Understanding Carbs. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  4. U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Glycemic index and diabetes. Page last reviewed November 3, 2022.
  5. Vlachos D, Malisova S, Lindberg FA, et al. Glycemic Index (GI) or Glycemic Load (GL) and Dietary Interventions for Optimizing Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Patients with T2 Diabetes: A Review. Nutrients. 2020 May 27;12(6):1561.
  6. University of Sydney Glycemic Index Research and GI News. GI Search. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  7. Castro, Regina. “Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?” Mayo Clinic. Page last updated August 31, 2022.
  8. Barclay, Alan. How to enjoy a moderate glycemic load diet. The University of Sydney: Glycemic Index Research and GI News. November 2021.
  9. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health—The Nutrition Source: Bananas. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  10. Diabetes.co.uk. Glycemic Load. Page last updated October 29, 2023.
  11. Glycemic Index Guide. Rice cake. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  12. Veterans Affairs Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation. Understanding Sweeteners. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  13. Oregon State University. Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  14. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health—The Nutrition Source: Oats. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  15. American Diabetes Association. Types of Carbohydrates. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  16. Lewis, Joanne. Grocery store tips for healthy shopping for breads. Diabetes Care Community. October 5, 2023.
  17. Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, et al. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021 Nov 8;114(5):1625-1632.
  18. NutritionValue.org. Sourdough bread. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
  19. Glycemic Index Guide. Glycemic Index of Spices Complete Chart. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
Written by Rose Hayes, MA, RN.
Medically reviewed by Megan Burke, MD.August, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Rose Hayes, MA, RN.
Medically reviewed by Megan Burke, MD.August, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
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