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What are the five best fruits for diabetics?

With That Cleared Up, Here's 5 of the Best Fruits for Diabetics Avocados. Not only are avocados delicious but they're also an ideal fruit to consume for diabetics. ... Berries. That's right, whether it's blueberries, raspberries or strawberries, they are all low in glycaemic index! ... Apples. ... Grapefruit. ... Cherries.

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While there are methods to control and monitor diabetes, there is still no cure available. According to Diabetes Australia “Diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st century and the biggest challenge confronting Australia’s health system. Around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes. This includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (1.2 million known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (up to 500,000 estimated).” With an increasing number of people being diagnosed with diabetes, knowing what to eat can quickly become a stressful ordeal, with many sufferers feeling lost when it comes to meal time. We’ve identified the 5 best fruits for diabetics to enjoy, read on for more!

Fruits Diabetics Should Avoid

Often one of the first food groups to be culled is fruit, since fruit is generally sweet, many people believe they should be avoided at all costs! Luckily, this isn’t the case, there are actually a great number of fruits that not only provide valuable nutrients, but also have little impact on blood sugar levels. Of course, some fruits are better than others when it comes to diabetes management. Furthermore, careful attention must be paid to both the glycaemic index (GI) and the glycaemic load (GL) of different fruits. Foods with a low glycaemic index are regarded to have a positive impact on blood glucose levels since they do not spike blood sugar levels as greatly as higher GI carbohydrates blood sugar in a significant manner. Generally, foods with a GI value of 55 or less are known as low glycaemic and foods with a GI value of 70 or more are regarded as high glycaemic index. Types of fruits diabetics should avoid are those with these higher GI levels.

With That Cleared Up, Here’s 5 of the Best Fruits for Diabetics

Avocados

Not only are avocados delicious but they’re also an ideal fruit to consume for diabetics. Avocados are a very unique fruit in that they contain more fat and protein than they do carbohydrates, meaning their glycaemic index score is very low. In fact, according to a comprehensive table of glycaemic index and load in certain foods, published 2002, in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” avocados weren’t even included! The journal concluded that a GI rating was not warranted for avocados, stating that they’re unlikely to have a major impact on blood glucose, even in large quantities. Beyond their low GI, avocados are also incredibly healthy, containing a high amount of monounsaturated healthy fats which can decrease the risk of heart disease and may improve cholesterol levels. This is what makes them one of the best fruits for diabetes in general. Unsaturated healthy fats have also been theorised to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and prevent its progression.

Berries

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That’s right, whether it’s blueberries, raspberries or strawberries, they are all low in glycaemic index! Raspberries come in the lowest at a mere 32 GI, followed by strawberries at 40 GI and finally blueberries at 53 – keeping in mind that a low score is regarded as 55 or less. All berries are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.In fact they sport so many antioxidants, they knock some fruits and vegetables out of the park. Berries can assist in regulating blood sugar, may assist in the improvement of cognitive functions and most importantly, are thought to actually prevent diabetes – and also to stop diabetes progressing. Berries are a great addition to a healthy breakfast, sprinkle some berries over your cereal and/or fuse them with your yogurt and smoothies for a delicious morning boost

Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor away right? It certainly can! Not only do apples contain immunity boosting vitamin C and antioxidants to keep you feeling fresh, but they have also been linked to improvements in heart health and reducing the risk of certain cancers! With a glycaemic index ranging from only 30 to 50 depending on your favourite varieties, apples are a sensible snack and one of the best fruits for all diabetics.

Grapefruit

It doesn’t get much better than grapefruit!

With a glycaemic index score of just 25 combined with high levels of vitamin C and fibre, grapefruit is one of the best fruits for diabetics to enjoy – do try to eat the actual fruit however, instead of the juice! Just drinking the juice means you miss out on all the important fibre found in the skin, not to mention additional nutrients. Moreover, juices often contain a bevy of extra sugars and ingredients that a diabetic should avoid.

Cherries

Cherries make this list because not only do they have one of the lowest scores for fruit on the glycaemic index at 22, but they also contain a wealth of nutrients. Cherries deliver fibre, iron, folate, vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene as well as many antioxidants. In addition, cherries have been linked to the treatment of cancer, heart disease and many other conditions. They can be enjoyed fresh, dried and frozen with a sensible serving size being half a cup.

Conclusion

Remember, living with diabetes doesn’t mean that all fruit needs to be completely avoided. Instead it’s about identifying the best ones to eat and eating them in moderation. If you’re a diabetic and need support in manifesting the right diet for your illness, an Accredited Practising Dietitian here at Sunshine Coast Dietetics can help! Call us now!

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