Diabetics often ask whether it is safe for them to eat gigantic quantities of fruit. Lots of people suffering from diabetes avoid eating fruit because they are worried that the high sugar content present in most fruits will worsen their condition. Fortunately, there are lots of fruits a diabetic can enjoy which do not significantly affect blood glucose levels; in fact positive fruits may very well improve glucose control.
Good Fruits for Diabetics
Fiber rich foods are usually safe for diabetics to eat because they have a tendency to have a lower glycemic index (GI) & therefore do not spike blood sugar levels to the same extent as high GI foods. This is because fiber slows down the absorption of sugar in to the blood stream. Fiber rich fruits tend to be fruits with edible skins & seeds as it are these parts of the fruit that are highest in fiber. Fruits high in fiber include (fiber content in brackets): apples (two.5%), pears (two.1%), apricots (two.1%), blueberries (two.7%), kiwifruit (two.1%), pomegranates (three.4%), & avocados (6.7%).
The avocado is not only high in fiber, but is as well as a rich source of monounsaturated fat. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a diet high in monounsaturated fat as it can help reduce the risk of heart issues which is more common in diabetics than the general population. There is also some proof that a diet rich in monounsaturated fat can improve glycemic control.
Fruits high in fructose, & those with high fructose to glucose ratios are also beneficial to diabetics because fructose does not need insulin to metabolize & therefore can be enjoyed by insulin resistant diabetics. High fructose fruits include apples, pears, guavas, & mangoes, all of which have fructose to glucose ratios greater than two.
Along with high fiber & fructose levels, apples have added benefits for people with diabetes. Raw apples contain high amounts of pectin which has been shown to improve glycemic control in diabetics, reducing insulin requirements by up to 50% in some cases.
Grapefruit is an additional fruit which may be useful for diabetics. Grapefruit can support weight loss which in turn helps decrease insulin resistance. According to the Scripps institute, grapefruit may also help control insulin levels when consumed in the work of meal times.