Fruit can be a part of a diabetes-friendly diet. They are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. They taste good and are refreshing, filling, and also add color to your plate.

The key to selecting the right fruit is to choose the right kinds and appropriate portions. As they can contain high amounts of carbohydrates that can affect your blood sugar levels, you need to eat moderate amounts of fruit.

 

5 Tips to Enjoy Fruits If You Are a Diabetic

 

Eating fruits is healthy but eating in moderation is better.

Here are my top 5 tips which will help you to enjoy fruits if you are a Diabetic and want to enjoy fruits.

1. Always eat fruits that are fresh, local and in season. Raw fruits are best as it contains fibers and retains most of the essential nutrients.

Never consume fruit juice as it’s devoid of all the fiber and contains added sugars which would spike blood sugar  levels.

2. Fruits should not be eaten with your main meals, its best to have fruits in between meals and as a snack. This is because fruits act as fillers in the diet, as  they are rich in fibers.

3. Eat fruits with some nuts to balance the glycemic load. A low glycemic load will indicate low level of sugar in blood.

4. Sprinkle fruits with grounded cinnamon powder which is very helpful in balancing blood sugar levels. As cinnamon has good blood sugar lowering properties.

5. Always eat fruit in moderation. Fruit is nature’s candy. They provide natural sugars which can be easily digested.

 

  “I personally recommend eating 100 gm fruit per day – 4 to 5 days in a week”

 

What Are The Diabetic Friendly Fruits You Can Have?

 

Here I am listing the 15 best fruits that can be taken by diabetics as a part of their regular diet.

 

1. Strawberries

There are 15 g of carbohydrate in 1 1/4 cups of Strawberries. One cup of strawberries contains almost as much vitamin C as one cup of orange juice. It also contains folic acid. In addition, strawberries are rich in potassium and are packed with antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, and quercetin.  Making it an all-round low-calorie choice for diabetics.

 

Picture Source: RHS

 

 

2. Apple

 

Apples contain vitamin C, fiber and several antioxidants. A medium sized apple contains 95 calories, 25 grams of carbohydrates and 14% of the daily value for vitamin C. You can find most of the nutrients in apple’s skin. Also, apples contain large amounts of water and fiber, which is the reason you feel full after taking an apple. The fibers present in apple keeps the sugar levels in check.

 

 

 

3. Water Melon

Watermelon contains high amounts of fiber and moderate amounts of lycopene. This is the pigment that gives the fruit its color. It’s also a powerful antioxidant. It is suggested that lycopene is involved in reducing cardiovascular diseases. It has been observed that diabetics suffer from cardiovascular diseases at some point of time, so a moderate amount of this fruit can provide good benefits.

 

Picture Source: Bonnie Plants

 

 

4. Papaya

Papaya is a great choice for diabetics as it is loaded with natural antioxidants. Diabetics are susceptible to many complications, including heart and nerve damage resulting from irregular blood sugar levels. A diet incorporating papaya can obstruct future cell damage and also help for a better and longer lifespan.

 

Picture Source: Alkaline Valley

 

 

5. Orange

Orange is a rich source of flavonoids and phenolic acid, which have shown tremendous protective abilities, especially in case of diabetics. Citrus fruits are excellent when it comes to breaking down glucose, as they not only delay glucose update but also inhibit the movement or transport of glucose through the intestines and liver.

 

 

Picture Source: Very Fit

 

6. Mosambi

Mosambi juice with amla and honey on empty stomach is very beneficial for diabetic patients.

 

 

 

 

Picture Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

 

7. Guava

Guavas are rich in fiber that helps ease constipation, a common concern among diabetic patients community, in addition to that it can also lower the chances of developing type-2 diabetes as fibers keep the sugar levels in control.

 

 

 

Picture Source: Dreamstime.com

 

 

8. Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a super fruit as it contains the richest combinations of antioxidants of all fruits in the fruit kingdom that can protect you from free-radicals and chronic diseases. So it can be incorporated in the daily diet for multiple health benefits.

 

 

 

Picture Source: Natoora

 

 

9. Grapes

Grapes contain Resveratrol, which is also found in some berries, it has the property of modulating the blood glucose response by affecting how the body secretes and uses insulin available in the bloodstream. Hence grapes can be a good choice keeping its nutritional benefits in mind.

 

 

Picture Source: Grapes from California

 

 

10. Blueberries

There are 15 grams of carbohydrate in 3/4 cup. Blueberries are the berry with the most antioxidants and contain flavonoids and resveratrol which is a polyphenolic compound naturally found in peanut, grapes, red wine, and some berries.

 

Picture Source: Permaculture Research Institute

 

 

11. Mangoes

Mangoes are regarded as the king of fruits, a ripe mango can contain up to 31 grams of sugar, but its glycemic load is only 10. The fiber in mango helps in limiting the rapid absorption of the sugars. Thus keeping balanced sugar level. It is advised to eat mango in moderation.

 

 

 

Picture Source: Wellthy Therapeutics

 

 

12. Pears

Pears are an excellent source of fiber and also vitamin K, which makes them a great addition to any diabetes diet plan.

 

 

 

Picture Source: Homelife

 

13. Jamun

Jamun improves blood sugar control. It is 82% water and 14.5% carbohydrates. The best thing about Jamun is that it has a hypoglycemic effect that helps in reducing blood and urine sugar levels. In addition to the pulp, the seed of Jamun are also very beneficial in controlling diabetes.

 

 

Picture Source: YouTube

 

 

14. Jackfruit

Jackfruit contains many essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, niacin, manganese, magnesium, and calcium etc, a great option for diabetics. It also improves insulin resistance in diabetic people. Raw jackfruit has a lower glycemic index.

Learn more about the health benefits of  Jackfruit. Check out my blog on the same topic –Surprising Health Benefits of Jackfruit That You Must Know!

 

 

 

15. Cherries

Tart Cherries are great for diabetic people as their GI (Glycemic Index) value is 20 and in some cases, less than 20.

 

 

 

Picture Source: Epicurious

 

A diabetic should never stop eating fruits; in fact they should make it a part of their daily diet. Only the quantity of serving should be in moderation as fruits play a key role in detoxification.

 

If you find this blog informative and worth sharing please take a moment of your time to educate your friends,family members. It will help spread the awareness and ensure better health for everyone.

Leave your comments below so that I can help the community by presenting more such information on health and wellness.

 

Stay healthy, Stay fit. Wellness is a way of life.