‘Good’ Habits to Give Up for Type 2 Diabetes

You know managing type 2 diabetes isn't just about taking medicine. So you've been trying to make better food and lifestyle choices. But figuring out what's healthy and what isn't can be confusing.

Take these habits. They may seem like they're good for you, but they could actually be sabotaging your efforts.

1. Buying 'sugar-free' foods

The supermarket is full of things that appear to be diabetes-friendly because they don't have added sugar. But many have sugar substitutes that contain carbs. That means they could send your blood sugar levels soaring.

Before you put something in your cart, check the nutrition facts to see how many grams of carbs are in each serving and how much sugar is added. Knowing how many total carbs per serving are in foods helps you manage your blood sugar levels.

2. Swapping meals for meal replacement bars

Losing weight can help, and meal replacement bars may seem like an easy way to slim down.

Many meal replacement products are aimed at athletes. So they can be high in calories. Others contain ingredients like sugar alcohols (sorbitol and mannitol, for example), which can cause stomach trouble.

Occasionally, munching on a bar for breakfast when you're pressed for time is OK as long as you pay attention to the nutrition info. But it's smarter to stick with real meals or calorie-restricted bars that are complete meals and nutritionally balanced .

3. Loading up on vitamins and supplements

A diet with lots of fruits and vegetables should give you all the nutrients you need. A multivitamin may help fill in the gaps, but it still can't match the real thing -- food.

Some people take supplements like cinnamon or chromium to try to keep their blood sugar levels stable. It's unclear whether these work. If you choose to try them -- or any supplement -- tell your doctor. He can make sure it's safe for you and won't interact with any medication you're taking.

4. Drinking juice

Natural doesn't always equal healthy. One cup of apple juice, for example, has 25 grams of sugar and just 0.5 grams of fiber.

An apple, on the other hand, has less sugar (19 grams) and more fiber (4.5 grams). It will satisfy you longer and help stabilize your blood sugar. What's more, a study found that drinking juice every day can make it more likely to get diabetes. But regularly eating whole fruit can make it less likely.

5. Downing diet soda

It may be calorie-free, carbohydrate-free, and sugar-free, but you can still overdo it. One study found that overweight people who rely on diet soda end up taking in more calories from food. Why? Diet-drink lovers may think they're "saving" calories on drinks and can afford to splurge on food. Artificial sweeteners also confuse your body because they taste sweet but don't provide calories.

Good behavior, you will be free from diabetes.