Fruit can be a delicious way to satisfy hunger while also meeting daily nutritional requirements. However, most fruits contain sugar. This has raised concerns about whether fruits are safe for diabetics.
Diabetics person can eat fruits as long as their blood sugar levels are under control, but they must do so in moderation amount. To assist diabetic people, several fruits will not influence blood sugar levels if ingested in moderation.
Kiwi
- Many studies have found a link between kiwi eating and decreased blood sugar levels.
Jamun
- This is one of the most beneficial fruits for diabetics. It has been shown to help in blood sugar regulation. To treat diabetes, the seeds of these fruits can be pulverised and ingested by patients.
Starfruit
- Starfruits, like jamuns, are beneficial to diabetics because they aid improve blood sugar control. However, if the patient has diabetes nephropathy, extreme caution should be exercised.
Guava
- Guava is a diabetes-controlling fruit that also helps with constipation. Guavas are abundant in vitamin A and vitamin C, and they also have a lot of fibre. The GI of this fruit is relatively low.
Cherries
- Their GI value is 20 (or even lower in some variants), making them a nutritious snack for diabetics at any time of day.
Peaches
- These delicious fruits are a nutritious treat with a low GI and are suitable for diabetics.
Berries
- There are many different types of berries accessible all over the world, and almost all of them appear to be high in antioxidants. Diabetics can eat a serving of various berries to keep their blood sugar levels in balance. Here are a few examples: Diabetes sufferers will benefit from strawberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants, as well as raspberries, cranberries, chokeberries, and blackberries.
Apples
- Antioxidants in apples assist to lower cholesterol, cleanse the digestive tract, and strengthen the immune system. Apples are also high in nutrients that aid fat absorption.
Pineapples
- Pineapples are good for diabetics and have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial qualities.
Pear
- Because they are high in vitamins and fibre, these delectable fruits are a healthy snack option for diabetics.
Papaya
- They are beneficial to diabetics due to their high vitamin and mineral content.
Figs
- Their high fibre content aids diabetic sufferers’ insulin function.
Oranges
- Diabetics can consume these citrus fruits on a daily basis because they are high in vitamin C.
Watermelon
- Despite their high GI value, watermelons have a low glycaemic load, making them a healthy fruit for diabetics. Consume in moderation, however.
Pomegranate
- These tiny red rubies aid diabetics in lowering their blood sugar levels.
Cantaloupe
- This fruit has a high Glycemic Index; however, it is abundant in fibre. As a result, it can readily be included in a diabetic’s diet if consumed in moderation.
Jackfruit
- Jackfruit includes a variety of nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, and magnesium. They are beneficial to diabetics because they improve insulin resistance.
Amla
- Amla, a fruit high in vitamin C and fibre, is a good supplement to a diabetic’s diet.
Note:
Avoid high glycaemic index fruits, like ripe banana, pineapple, watermelon, dates and some dried fruits.
Common Foods Glycemic Index
The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of a food’s carbohydrate content’s ability to raise blood glucose levels when compared to a reference food (generally pure glucose). Consumption of high-GI foods results in a sharp increase in postprandial blood glucose concentration, which quickly declines, whereas consumption of low-GI foods results in a lower blood glucose concentration, which gradually declines. The glycemic index (GI) gives a food a numerical score based on how quickly its blood sugar rises. Foods are ranked from 0 to 100, with pure glucose (sugar) receiving a value of 100. Carbohydrate-containing foods can be classified as having a high-GI (370), a moderate-GI (56-69), or a low-GI (£55) in comparison to pure glucose (GI=100).
Food | Glycemic Index (Glucose = 100) |
HIGH-CARBOHYDRATE FOODS | |
White wheat bread | 75 |
Whole wheat/whole meal bread | 67 |
Specialty grain bread | 53 |
Wheat roti | 62 |
Chapatti | 52 |
Corn tortilla | 46 |
White rice, boiled* | 73 |
Parboiled Rice | 64 |
Brown rice, boiled | 68 |
Basmati Rice | <55 |
Barley | 28 |
Sweet corn | 52 |
Spaghetti, white | 49 |
Spaghetti, whole meal | 48 |
Noodles | 70 |
Rice noodles† | 53 |
Macaroni | 47 |
BREAKFAST CEREALS | |
Cornflakes | 83 |
Wheat flake biscuits | 69 |
Porridge, rolled oats | 55 |
Instant oat porridge | 79 |
Rice porridge/congee | 78 |
Millet porridge | 67 |
Muesli | 57 |
FRUIT AND FRUIT PRODUCTS | |
Apple, raw | 36 |
Orange, raw | 43 |
Banana, raw | 51 |
Pineapple, raw | 59 |
Mango, raw | 51 |
Watermelon, raw | 76 |
Dates, raw | 42 |
Peaches, canned | 43 |
Strawberry jam/jelly | 49 |
Apple juice | 41 |
Orange juice | 50 |
VEGETABLES | |
Potato, boiled | 78 |
Potato, instant mash | 87 |
Potato, french fries | 63 |
Baked potato | 121 |
Carrots, boiled | 39 |
Sweet potato, boiled | 63 |
Pumpkin, boiled | 64 |
Plantain/green banana | 55 |
Vegetable soup | 48 |
Cucumber | 0 |
Green beans | 0 |
Peas | 48 |
Yam | 51 |
Beetroot | 64 |
Cabbage | 10 |
Onion | 10 |
DAIRY PRODUCTS AND ALTERNATIVES | |
Milk, full fat | 39 |
Milk, skim | 37 |
Ice cream | 51 |
Yogurt, fruit | 41 |
Soy milk | 34 |
LEGUMES | |
Chickpeas | 47 |
Green gram | 48 |
Black gram | 48 |
Kidney beans | 42 |
Lentils | 22 |
Soya beans | 16 |
SNACK PRODUCTS | |
Chocolate | 40 |
Popcorn | 65 |
Potato crisps | 56 |
Soft drink/soda | 59 |
Rice crackers/crisps | 87 |
Doughnuts | 76 |
SUGARS | |
Fructose | 15 |
Sucrose | 65 |
Glucose | 103 |
Honey | 61 |