Our Type 2 Diabetes Warning

Diabetes is becoming increasingly common; in fact, 38.4 million Americans, or 11.6% of the population, have diabetes, and more than one in three people in the United States are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Sedentary jobs and lifestyles, the abundant availability of foods high in sugar, fats, and sodium, and barriers such as cost and easy access to fresh local produce, among many other factors, make diseases like diabetes more prevalent. 

What is type 2 diabetes?

When we eat food, it passes through our digestive tract, and we digest it to nourish our entire body. During digestion, the nutrients from the food are broken down and absorbed, allowing them to circulate through the blood and nourish the cells that make up our muscles and organs. 🍏

A type of sugar called glucose is the result of the breakdown of carbohydrates we eat, from foods like bread, pasta, sugar, potatoes, rice, etc. When glucose travels through our circulatory system, it needs a key to exit the bloodstream and enter the cells. This key is called insulin, a hormone secreted by our pancreas. 🔑

Type 2 diabetes affects this circuit by preventing glucose from leaving the bloodstream, because the insulin, which acts as the key to open this cellular door, is not properly detected by the cell. 🚪

What are the risk factors of type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is caused by various factors, with the primary risk factors being overweight/obesity, dietary habits and inactivity. These factors lead to fat accumulation in blood vessels and inflammation, resulting in insulin resistance.

What products are not recommended for dietary treatment of  type 2 diabetes?

There is confusion about what should and should not be included in a diet for good glucose management  for people with type 2 diabetes.

That’s why GoCoCo has created a new app feature tailored for people with type 2 diabetes: a Type 2 Diabetes Warning. If you want to know the basics of  type 2 diabetes management , read our latest article. 

What is our  Type 2 Diabetes Warning?

It is an alert message that appears at the top of your scanned food products, indicating if the product is not ideal for regular consumption for a diet aimed at managing type 2 diabetes.

What types of products contain a Type 2 Diabetes Warning?

Our algorithm has been designed by a team of Registered Dietitians who have determined which foods should be limited to help stabilize blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

The warning appears on products that:

• Contain a  high amount of added sugar: Any product containing 10% or more of added sugar. 
• Contain refined grains: Refined grains such as white bread, white flour, and white rice are high in carbohydrates but low in fiber, resulting in a high glycemic load. , Therefore, we place a warning on products that contain refined grains and are also low in fiber (< 1.5 grams of fiber / 100 kcal).
• Juices: Juices contain free sugars that affect our bodies the same way as added refined sugar. If you want to learn more about this topic, we invite you to read our blog article: "Fruit juice is like a whole piece of fruit?"
• Dates: Dates are a dried fruit with high sugar content and have become a product widely used by manufacturers of "healthy" products. They are still a better option than refined sugar because they contain minerals and fiber, but they also have a high glycemic load and should be consumed in moderation. Therefore, we advise people with type 2 diabetes to prioritize other types of whole fruits with lower sugar content, such as apples, strawberries, or even berries.
• Snacks with a high amount of added saturated fats: We add a warning to snacks that contain more than 4% added saturated fat. Saturated fats, often found in fried foods, can contribute to inflammation and weight gain, both of which are risk factors for diabetes.

To contribute to a healthier diet and aid in nutrition management of type 2 diabetes, we recommend that you aim to most often consume products with a score of more than 6 on our scale and also follow the recommendations of the Type 2 Diabetes Warning to help manage blood glucose levels. We also recommend you discuss the nutritional management of your Type 2 Diabetes with your healthcare provider.