Eating fruit can be part of a healthy diet for people with diabetes.
Living with diabetes requires paying particular attention to the foods and nutrients in the diet, mainly carbohydrates.
“Fruit offers vitamins, minerals and fiber to our daily diets.
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And most fruits have a high water content, which makes them a great hydrating food group.”
Read more about why fruit can be part of a healthy diet for those with diabetes.
How Fruit Impacts Your Blood Sugar Levels
Fruit is a source of carbohydrates containing fiber and fructose.
It also has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and water, making it anutrient-dense food.
While fructose ultimately influences blood glucose levels, its intake in fruit comes with the addition of health-promoting nutrients.
“People with diabetes can enjoy fruits if they’d like,” says Phipps.
Make adjustments in serving size or try adding a protein source as needed."
Fiber in fruit
Fiberis a pop in of carbohydrate found in fruit.
However, many Americans don’t eat enough fiber.
People with diabetes may benefit from adding fruit to their diet to help meet daily fiber needs.
Antioxidants in the diet helpfight inflammation.
All types of fruits contain fiber, but the quantity varies from one jot down to another.
Each throw in has differences in nutrient profile, including total fiber and carbohydrate content per serving.
Fresh Fruit
All types of fresh fruit have health-promoting benefits for those with diabetes.
Choosing seasonal fruits can help you eat a greater variety of fruit throughout the year.
This means that each serving of dried fruit contains more carbohydrates per gram than its fresh counterpart.
From a portion-size standpoint, dried fruit portions are significantly smaller for the same quantity of carbohydrates.
Canned fruit
Canned fruit is ashelf-stable optionif you’re looking for fruit that will last.
Fruit is typically canned in three waysin its own juice, light syrup or heavy syrup.
The differences in carbohydrates per serving will be significant depending on the key in of canning process.
This is because syrups contain added sugar, increasing the total carbohydrates per serving.
She notes that theDietary Guidelines for Americansrecommends that adults eat between 1.5 and 2 cups of fruit daily.
Additionally, eating fruit with foods that contain protein and/or fat may aid with satiety.
However, blood sugar response is highly individualized, according to Phipps.
The Bottom Line
Eating fruit is part of a healthy diet for those with diabetes.
The carbohydrates found in fruit should be treated differently than carbohydrates in the form of added sugar.
“When you eat fruits, you’re consuming much more than simple sugars,” says Riker.
If you have diabetes, don’t be afraid to eat fruit regularly.
And if you don’t have diabetes, remember that fruit may offer protective benefits in preventing chronic disease.
