Diabetics should not drink fruit juice because sugar is added to it and another pulp is removed, due to which the body does not get fiber. Today we will tell you about some fruits in which diabetics will benefit from eating.
Which fruits are good for diabetics?
- apples.
- avocados.
- bananas.
- berries.
- cherries.
- grapefruit.
- grapes.
- kiwi fruit.
Fruits for people with diabetes
Eating fruit is a delicious way to satisfy hunger and meet daily nutritional needs. However, most fruits contain sugar. This has raised questions about whether fruits are suitable for people who have diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic but manageable condition in which the body struggles to control the levels of blood sugar.
Is fruit dangerous for people with diabetes? This article will suggest fruits to eat and avoid if you have diabetes, as well as examining the interaction between fruit & blood sugar.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that any fruit is fine to eat for a person with diabetes, so long as that person is not allergic to a particular fruit.
A meta-analysis published in 2014 in the British Medical Journal found higher fruit intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
The preparation of fruit, however, can affect blood sugar. Fresh or frozen fruits are better than processed fruits straight from a can or jar, such as applesauce and canned fruit. Processed fruits also include dried fruit and fruit juices.
People with diabetes should eat processed foods sparingly or avoid them completely. The body absorbs processed fruits more rapidly, leading to higher blood sugar levels. Processing fruits also removes or reduces levels of certain key nutrients, including vitamins and fiber.
The National Institute of Diabetic and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends that people with diabetes should avoid fruit juices or canned fruits with added sugar.
Fruit blends like smoothies also have high sugar content and are more rapidly absorbed leading to higher spikes in blood sugar.
For a person with diabetes, one way to select safe and suitable fruits and other high-carbohydrate foods are to check the glycemic index (GI).
GI is a rating of foods on a scale from 1 to 100. The score indicates how quickly the food item may raise blood sugar levels.
High GI foods are absorbed faster than medium or low GI foods.
Glycemic load (GL) takes into account the GI of food plus the number of carbohydrates in a serving. GL may be a more accurate way of assessing how food affects blood sugar management over time. Low-GI and low-GL foods are better for helping control blood sugar levels.
People may be surprised to learn that many fruits have a low glycemic index. People digest starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and grains, more rapidly, so these have a higher GI index.
The longer a carbohydrate-rich food is cooked, the higher the GI value. Fat, fiber content, and cooling carbohydrates after they have been transformed into resistant starches via cooking can all dramatically lower GI values.
Below is a list of fruits divided by the GI index, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Low GI and GL fruits
Some fruits have a GI of under 55 and a GL under 10, including.
- apples
- avocados
- bananas
- berries
- cherries
- grapefruit
- grapes
- kiwi fruit
- nectarines
- orange
- peaches
- pears
- plums
- strawberries
Medium-GI fruits (GI of 56 to 69)
A fruit with a GI of between 56 and 69 is considered to be a medium-GI food. All fruits listed below still have GL levels under 10.
- honeydew melon
- figs
- papayas
- pineapples
High-GI fruits
Fruits with a GI higher than 70 are high-GI and a GL of greater than 20 is high GL. While these are safe to eat with diabetes, it is important to eat larger quantities of lower-GI fruits instead.
- dates (high GL)
- watermelon (low GL)
Eating enough fiber plays an important role in managing diabetes.
A diet high in soluble fiber can slow the absorption of sugar and control its levels in the blood. Many fruits are high in fiber, especially those with the skin or pulp included.
Many fruits are filling because of their high fiber and water content.
Diets containing enough fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of obesity, heart attack, and stroke. Obesity has been linked to type 2 diabetes.
Fruits are high in fiber and nutrients, so they are a good choice in meal planning. Fruits that have been processed such as applesauce and fruit juices have had their fiber removed and should be limited.
Apple
Apples are a good fruit for diabetic patients. Apple contains antioxidants that reduce cholesterol levels and increase immunity. Apple protects against type 2 diabetes. Apples are low in GI and rich in vitamin A, calcium, and iron. Apples are highly nutritious and have a minimal effect on blood sugar levels. They are safe and healthy for diabetics to enjoy on a regular basis.
Berries
Fruits like blueberries, juice berries, and cranberries are perfect for you when you like to eat something sweet. Blueberries contain ingredients such as heart-healthy flavonoids, fiber, and anthocyanins, which protect against type 2 diabetes. At the same time, juice berries contain vitamin C, fiber, anthocyanins, and ellagic acids, which reduce insulin and blood sugar levels.
Tomatoes
You can eat it like a vegetable, but technically tomatoes are also a fruit, which is considered quite beneficial for diabetic patients. It contains not only vitamins C and A but also potassium and heart-healthy antioxidants. Tomatoes are also low in carbs. A cup of tomatoes only contains 32 calories.
Pomegranate
People often ask the question, should one eat pomegranate in diabetes? Those who are diabetic should choose for themselves the fruits that help them in reducing the symptoms of diabetes. Pomegranate is a good option for diabetics. Because pomegranate contains a high amount of antioxidants. Due to which it protects you from the effect of free radicals. Apart from this, pomegranate also contains powerful phytochemical compounds that are helpful in reducing the symptoms of diabetes.
Guava
To reduce the symptoms of diabetes, you should pay special attention to seasonal fruits. Guava is also one of those seasonal fruits that can be included in the list for a diabetic patient to eat. Because guava is an excellent fruit for diabetic patients with a low glycemic index. Guava has a high fiber content which helps in reducing constipation in a diabetic patient.
Orange
The flavonols and phenolic acids found in oranges are effective in protecting diabetics. These citrus fruits slow down glucose uptake as well as prevent the circulation or transport of glucose through the intestines and liver. Therefore, orange should be included prominently in the list of fruits for diabetics to eat. It plays an important role in removing the toxic substances present in your body. In this way, diabetes patients can use local and fresh oranges for their better health.
Papaya
Do you naturally want to reduce the symptoms of diabetes? If so, place papaya in the list of fruits for diabetics to eat. Because papaya contains natural antioxidants. Due to which it is considered very beneficial for diabetics. Apart from this, diabetic patients are also at risk of having many types of health problems. Including heart or nerve damage due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels. But to prevent such problems, a diabetic patient should include papaya in his diet.
Pear
For the treatment of a diabetic patient, fruits that contain high amounts of vitamins and fiber along with reduced glucose levels should be consumed. Such fruits should be included in the list of fruits for diabetics to eat. Pears are also a better option because they contain high amounts of both vitamins and fiber.
Blackberry
Berries are used as the most effective diabetes drug. If you are making a list of fruits for diabetic patients, then berries should be at the top. Since ancient times, berries have been used in Ayurveda and medicine to reduce the symptoms of diabetes. It is the best and effective way to control blood sugar levels.
Watermelon
Watermelon contains a high amount of potassium due to which it improves kidney function. Watermelon should also be included in the list of fruits for the diabetic patient to eat. Because consuming it reduces the level of uric acid in the blood. Which can help prevent damage to your kidneys, especially when you are a diabetic? In addition, diabetes can also cause nerve damage. But lycopene found in melon is actually helpful in reducing these effects. In this way, consuming watermelon is beneficial for diabetic patients.