When people think of dieting, they often think of severe restrictions used to reach a goal, before moving back to old eating habits and performing “maintenance” to hold fast to a certain weight.

This strategy may work for some—at least to a degree—but is not the type of dieting best suited to diabetics. Instead, as a diabetic, your diet may need a complete reworking, which may include permanently deleting certain foods from your life and kitchen.

Foods to Leave Behind

#1. High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup is not a food in and of itself, but hides in plenty of foods that seem otherwise innocuous. Fortunately, many companies are growing wise to the dangers of this health inhibitor and taking it out of their lineup, but many candy companies, snack companies, and even cereal companies still utilize it in their products.

High fructose corn syrup is cheap to manufacture but wreaks havoc on the body. It is an incredibly sweet filler, filled with sugar but without the benefit of fiber, protein, or any of the nutrients found in naturally sweet foods (including corn). HFCS is not something to be consumed in moderation, but to be avoided entirely.

#2. Soda

Soda is a diet staple in countless people’s days. Whether you chug 3 massive cups per day, or you rely on an afternoon diet drink, soda has no place in the pantry of a healthy individual. If you love the bubble of your favorite soda, replace your soda with sparkling water, or even a fermented drink such as water kefir or kombucha. All of these offer the same fizzy punch as soda without the detrimental health effects.

Quitting soda is not only great for your interior health—your appearance will thank you, too. Giving up your fizzy friend is one of the simplest and most effective ways to shed unwanted pounds, which can help manage your diabetes.

#3. Shortening

Once considered a simple alternative to butter, shortening has actually been revealed to be detrimental to your health. Filled with trans fats, shortening causes your cholesterol to skyrocket and increases the risk of heart disease. Shortening can be sneaky, as it is found in many processed foods such as pre-baked pie crusts, baked goods, and crackers.

Receiving a diabetes diagnosis is hard, but perpetuating unhealthy eating habits is far worse. Each of the above items is a roadblock to health. While many foods may be consumed in moderation, corn syrup, soda, and shortening are best left in the factory and out of your pantry or kitchen.