Though many seasonal fruits are good for health, people with diabetes should enjoy fruit only with an eye to their own bodies, because some fruits can immediately raise blood sugar further. Diabetes patients should therefore eat fruit carefully.
Dr Rahul Baxi, a diabetes specialist at Bombay Hospital in India, says diabetes patients can eat fruit regularly if they wish. Many fruits are rich in dietary fibre, potassium, vitamins and antioxidants, and low in fat, sodium and calories.
Dr Baxi explains that there are many myths among diabetes patients about eating fruit. Many nutritionists may advise avoiding fruit altogether. Some prescribe fruit diets, while others advise juices and smoothies rather than whole fruit. But if a patient eats fruit regularly in measured amounts, it will not raise the risk from diabetes.
Can fruit sugar affect blood sugar?
The specialist says fruit contains fructose, which is taken up by the liver, converted to glucose and released into the blood. So eating fruit can raise glucose levels. But fruits with more fibre slow the absorption of carbohydrate and help keep glucose levels in check.
Diabetes patients should therefore choose fruit by taking account of its glycaemic index and glycaemic load. Moderate amounts of whole fruit will generally affect glucose levels more slowly than other carbohydrate sources such as juice or sweets.
How should diabetes patients eat fruit?
"There is some advice about eating fruit on an empty stomach. But eating fruit with a meal will keep you feeling full for longer. Eating fruit before or after a meal does not reduce its nutritional value," Dr Baxi says.
Which fruits are good, and which to avoid?
According to Dr Baxi, fruits diabetes patients can eat in moderation are papaya, guava, apple, orange, pear, watermelon, all berries (blueberry, blackberry, strawberry), cherry and avocado.
Fruit from this list must still be chosen according to quantity and glycaemic index. Care should be taken that the carbohydrate from fruit does not exceed 15 grams, and dried fruits or overly sweet fruits must be avoided altogether.
Citing the Times of India.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
Comments
(0)