There are many causes of diabetes, and diabetes affects everyone differently. Diabetes in some cases is preventable, but some causes, such as hereditary factors, are beyond your control. In some cases, diabetes can be prevented, but you must know what causes diabetes, and avoid those causes.

As of today, the biggest cause of diabetes is the poor choice of foods that we eat. Studies have linked diabetes to obesity, and there is an obesity and diabetes epidemic in the U.S.

What are the foods that cause diabetes? They're processed foods that contain trans-fats, sugars and artificial preservatives. You should always eat whole foods, and keep your meals simple. We get in trouble when we add fatty sauces, gravy and cheese to our foods.

Eat lean cuts of meat, whole grains and leafy green vegetables. Choose complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are full of sugar, and will spike your blood sugar levels.

Avoid eating cereal that has a large amount of sugar. You should also avoid sodas, candies and sweets. If you have a craving for sweets, stick with fruit. Fresh and all natural fruit made with sugar-free jello is a healthy choice, and will satisfy your need for a sugar fix.

Complex carbohydrates are also a better choice because they digest more slowly than simple carbohydrates, and often are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Some great examples of complex carbohydrates are: whole grains, brown rice, whole wheat, beans, legumes and vegetables. These foods are also high in fiber, which is heart healthy.

Diabetes isn't caused by our eating habits alone. There are harmful substances that we indulge in that also cause diabetes. Many people love to have a glass of red wine after work, and maybe a cigarette. Alcohol and cigarettes has also been linked to diabetes.

We've all heard that alcohol is good for you when consumed in moderation, but it should never be consumed by diabetics. Alcohol, when digested by a diabetic, gets processed like fat in the body.

Alcoholic drinks can contain many calories, and spike your blood sugar levels. The carbohydrates in alcoholic drinks can also increase your appetite, and cause you to further increase your caloric intake.

There are many causes of diabetes that could be prevented by making better choices. So what causes diabetes? Mostly genetics, but we do have some control over how we live our lives in relation to slowing diabetes or preventing diabetes.