Type Ii Diabetes: 6 Fruits To Help Control Your Blood Sugar
Type II Diabetes: 6 Fruits to Help Control Your Blood Sugar Controlling your diabetes could be as easy as losing weight. There are many things that you can do to control you blood sugar and increasing your intake of certain fruits is one of them. Natural sugar is easier to break down than processed or man-made sugar. This is why adding fruit, a great source for natural sugar, to your diet in moderation could prevent your body from building an insulin intolerance. Here are our favorite fruits to add to your diet if you are looking to naturally control your blood sugar, or decrease the amount of insulin that you use each day. 1. Avocado Avocado is thought by many to be a vegetable. On the contrary, it is actually a fruit. This fruit is high in monounsaturated fats which are one of the healthy fats that you should ingest on a regular basis. These fruits also improve heart health. They have a very low percentage of low-quality carbohydrates and can improve the sensitivity you have to your insulin. This means that simply snacking on avocado, eating guacamole, or adding it to a sandwich could decrease the amount of insulin that you have to take. 2. Grapefruits Grapefruits are a great source of chromium. Recent studies have shown chromium to significantly lower blood sugar levels. A grapefruit with breakfast can help break down the dietary sugars that are in your cereal as well. It also contains a very low amount of carbohydrates but most of these carbohydrates are considered healthy fiber so they won’t cause a serious increase in blood sugar. 3. Pineapples Pineapple does not prevent blood sugar spikes. However, it has a low glycemic index, which means that it raises your blood sugar slower and does not cause rapid spikes. This means that when your blood sugar starts low, it Continue reading >>
Cherries For Diabetics
New Member type 2 for 10 years - on metformin By accident i found out that cherries lowers my blood sugar. It contains an ingredient called 'anthycins (sp?) that produces 50% more insulin. I can eat 2 pounds at a time and my sugar goes lower and lower. After cherry season is over, my sugar goes up again. I think the p roperties disappear when they are frozen. How cool is this!! What kind of cherries are you eating? Do they need to be fresh? Thanks! D.D. Family Omnipod Pumper - February 2013 Do you eat 2 lbs at one sitting?? I would love to be able to do that but would find myself running for the bathroom!! Cherries make my bg raise horrible which is the pits (no pun intended) cause I LOVE the big black cherries - and the Rainier cherries - pretty much all cherries!! D.D. Family T1 for 72 years, here to help You can buy cherry juice at a vitamin supply center. I don't know if it is as good as cerries but you might try it. I am type 1 and cherries raise my BG. I have to take insulin every time I eat them. Type 1 for 72 years. Using the MM 630g pump, and Dexcom G5. A1c=6.1 By accident i found out that cherries lowers my blood sugar. It contains an ingredient called 'anthycins (sp?) that produces 50% more insulin. I can eat 2 pounds at a time and my sugar goes lower and lower. After cherry season is over, my sugar goes up again. I think the p roperties disappear when they are frozen. Simply amazing! Since a cherry has about 1 carb each, and every time I eat 20 or 30, I see my bg's go up despite taking insulin, I find your experience "unusual". Continue reading >>
Can Diabetics Eat Cherries
Lisa Rivera | April 17, 2018 | Fruits for Diabetes | No Comments As a diabetic, if you are to avoid the health complications associated with a spike in the blood sugar levels you should ensure that you maintain your blood glucose levels at controllable levels. And, there is no better way to regulate your blood glucose levels that monitoring the carbohydrates you take. Different diabetic people have a different tolerance level of carbs and you should ensure that you test your blood glucose levels before and after a meal. You can comfortably make cherries part of your day to day meal as long as they dont have any artificial added sugars and fits your carbs allowance per meal Unlike sweet cherries, sour cherries contain few carbohydrates and for this reason, it is very easy for a diabetic to tolerate it. Basically, one cup serving of pitted sour cherries contains approximately 19grmsn of carbohydrates. This amount is equivalent to 5 teaspoons servings of sugar. To avoid any complications it is advisable that you start off things with a half cup serving of fresh pitted cherries then keep track of your glucose blood levels. This way you will be in a position to tell if your body can tolerate it or not. Typically, sweet cherries have more carbs per serving and if you are not careful it can lead to a post-meal spike in the blood sugar levels compared to the sour cherries. 1 cup serving of pitted sweet cherries contains 25 g if carbohydrates which is equivalent to 7 teaspoon servings of sugar. Take no more than a cup serving of sweet cherries and for the next 2 hours keep checking your glucose blood levels to see how your body reacts to it. If you are a diabetic ensure that you avoid canned cherries. They are parked in syrup or juice that contains added sugar and this can prov Continue reading >>
Fruit And Diabetes
Everyone should be eating more fruit and vegetables. You're probably aware of the five a day target, and this is equally important if you’re living with diabetes or if you’re not. You might think you think that the sugar content of fruit means that you can’t eat it. But, the sugar in fruit is natural, and is not this type of sugar we need to cut down on. This is different to the added sugar in drinks, chocolate, cakes and biscuits, as well as in fruit juices and honey. The amount of carbohydrate you eat has the biggest effect on your blood glucose levels and considering a portion of fruit contains about 15–20g carbs, a chocolate muffin has 55g carbs and a small bar of chocolate has 30g carbs it is better to reduce your intake of the chocolate, cakes and other snacks than the fruit itself to help manage your blood glucose levels. It is very unlikely that you need to reduce your fruit intake but you could keep a food diary to check how often and how much fruit you are eating. Some people find that it is easy to overdo the dried fruit, grapes and tropical fruits. If you consider a serving of dried fruit is a tablespoon and packs in 20.8g carbs, 20.8g total sugar and 82 calories you can see how easily this happens. An apple on the other hand, which takes a while to eat, contains only 11.8g carbs, 11.8g sugar and 47 calories. Be mindful of your serving sizes too – bananas in supermarkets now seem to be supersize with a large banana containing 27.8g carbs, 25.1g sugar and 114 calories. But, most people need to cut down on foods with added sugars rather than fruit – a large banana is still better for you than a a standard chocolate bar, which contains 27.9g carbohydrate, 27.8g sugars and a staggering 260 calories. Why do I need to be careful about fruit juices and Continue reading >>
Tart Cherry: Can The Latest Super Juice Improve Your Blood Sugar?
Tart Cherry: Can the Latest Super Juice Improve Your Blood Sugar? Tart Cherry: Can the Latest Super Juice Improve Your Blood Sugar? Drinking tart cherry juice has been linked to some significant health benefits including helping your body lower blood sugar more effectively after a meal. Written by Susan McQuillan, MS, RDN, CDN The sweet and tart versions of the cherry contains chemicals that boost insulin helping to control blood sugar. Studies have revealed at least eight major health benefits to be gained from drinking tart cherry juice, and some are directly related to diabetes. When it comes to nutrition and good health, theres plenty of sweet news about sour cherries, also commonly known as tart cherries or pie cherries. Not only does this fruitand its juicehelp improve sleep, reduce inflammation, enhance stamina, lower high blood pressure, manage painful symptoms of osteoarthritis and gout, enhance mood, and stave off dementia, tart cherries may also help control symptoms of diabetes. The same phytochemicals, or plant pigments, that give sour cherries their bright red color, also give them anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities that help prevent muscle damage in athletes, fight depression and anxiety, and improve memory and cognition in older adults. Researchers have also found that these phytochemicals, which are known as polyphenols and anthocyanins, and are found in both the flesh and juice of the fruit, can also help enhance glucose metabolism and regulate blood sugar in people with diabetes. Anthocyanins are known to significantly boost insulin production, though it is not yet understood how this happens. Fruit and fruit juices can be a tough fit for people with diabetes, but its not hard to work tart cherry juice into a diabetic diet. Theres great vari Continue reading >>
Fruits For Diabetes: All You Need To Know
Eating fruit is a delicious way to satisfy hunger and meet daily nutritional needs. However, most fruits contain sugar, which raises questions about whether they are healthy for people who have diabetes. Is fruit unhealthy for people with diabetes? This article will look at what you need to know about fruit and diabetes. Contents of this article: What is fruit? Most people can probably name several fruits such as oranges and apples, but not know why they are fruits. Fruits contain seeds and come from plants or trees. People eat fruits that are stored in many ways - fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and processed. But aren't tomatoes and cucumbers also fruits because they have seeds? There are many foods that are classed as fruits that may surprise some people. Tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, peas, corn, and nuts are all fruits. It's fine to think of tomatoes and cucumbers as vegetables rather than fruits, however. What's important is how much energy (calories) and nutrients each food has. The bottom line: it's not important to know the difference between fruits and vegetables but to know that both are good for health. Does eating fruit play a role in managing diabetes? Eating enough fiber plays an important role in managing diabetes. A diet high in soluble fiber can slow the absorption of sugar and control blood sugar levels. Many fruits are high in fiber, especially if the skin or pulp is eaten. Many fruits are filling because they contain fiber and a lot of water. Diets containing enough fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of obesity, heart attack, and stroke. Obesity has been linked to type 2 diabetes. Fruits are high in fiber and nutrients, so they are a good choice in meal planning. Fruits that have been processed such as applesauce and fruit juices have had their Continue reading >>
Apples | Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
Ex-Diabetic Sidebar: When I was diabetic, my doctors and the hospital's dietitian told me that I would have to avoid fruits. I found that kind of strange, especially, since some of my hospital meals included applesauce, tangerine slices and orange juice! Avoiding fruits was difficult for me because I had a "sweet tooth" -- a strong craving for sweets. Being diabetic, my body craved sugar and I loved sweets -- not just fruits -- I loved apple pie, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream. During my research, I discovered how to stop the cravings (see below). I also learned that eating some whole fruit can be beneficial, despite the sugar content in most fruits. Why? Because it's better to eat an apple than some cookies or ice cream to satisfy your craving for something sweet! :-) In addition, studies have shown that the nutrients within most fruits (e.g. antioxidants, Vitamin C, fiber, water) can help prevent and reverse the damage to blood vessels and body tissues caused by Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other similar diseases. The key is to make sure that you follow an effective reverse diabetes nutritional program such as the one defined in the "Death to Diabetes" 10-Step Reverse Diabetes Wellness Program. Most whole fruits are on the moderate to low end of the Glycemic Index (GI), making them a pretty good choice for most people with diabetes. Many fruits are also packed with vitamins A and C, as well as water,fiber and antioxidants (flavonoids) such as catechin, quercetin, and anthocyanidin. Top 10 Fruits | Reverse Diabetes The following is a list of the top 10 fruits that most diabetics can eat because, for most diabetics, these fruits don't cause large or sustained blood glucose spikes. As a result, eating these fruits can help to satisfy your sweet to Continue reading >>
Diabetes Diet: Should I Avoid Sweet Fruits?
I've heard that you shouldn't eat sweet fruits such as strawberries or blueberries if you have diabetes. Is this true? Answers from M. Regina Castro, M.D. It's a common myth that if you have diabetes you shouldn't eat certain foods because they're "too sweet." Some fruits do contain more sugar than others, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat them if you have diabetes. The total amount of carbohydrates in a food affects blood sugar levels more than does the source of carbohydrates or whether the source is a starch or sugar. One serving of fruit should contain 15 grams of carbohydrates. The size of the serving depends on the carbohydrate content of the fruit. The advantage of eating a low-carbohydrate fruit is that you can consume a larger portion. But whether you eat a low-carb or high-carb fruit, as long as the serving size contains 15 grams of carbohydrates, the effect on your blood sugar is the same. The following fruit servings contain about 15 grams of carbohydrates: 1/2 medium apple or banana 1 cup blackberries 3/4 cup blueberries 1 cup raspberries 1 1/4 cup whole strawberries 1 cup cubed cantaloupe or honeydew melon Continue reading >>
Low-sugar Fruits For Low-carb Diets
| Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician |Updated May 13, 2019 If you follow a low-carb diet or are living with diabetes, you may have a complicated relationship with fruit. Maybe you've heard you don't need to worry about the sugars in fruit because they're "natural." While it's true that the sugars in fruit are naturally-occurring, the extent to which you can include them in your diet will depend on what type of eating plan you're following. For instance, are you counting carbs or taking note of the glycemic index or glycemic load of the foods you eat? Knowing which fruits are naturally lower in sugar can help you make choices that fit best with your individual dietary needs. The FDA recommends adults eat two cups of fruit or fruit juice or a half-cup of dried fruit per day. How much fruit you eat may differ if you are following a specific low-carb diet plan or if you are limiting carbohydrates in your diet due to diabetes. Most fruits have a low glycemic index (GI) due to the amount of fiber they contain and because their sugar is mostly fructose. However, dried fruit (such as raisins, dates, and sweetened cranberries), melons, and pineapples have a medium GI value. Fruits aren't just packed with nutrition, they're also versatile and tasty. With their natural sweetness, fruits are a fantastic way to satisfy a craving for sweets. In fact, those lowest in sugar have some of the highest nutritional values, plus antioxidants and other phytonutrients . Use these rules of thumb for a quick way to assess the sugar content of your favorite types of fruit. The fruits listed below are ranked from lowest to highest sugar content. Berries:Generally the fruits lowest in sugar, berries are also among the highest in antioxidants and other nutrients. Together with lemon Continue reading >>
Cherries May Help Fight Diabetes
. The sweet and tart versions of the fruit contain chemicals that boost insulin, which helps control blood sugar levels. The chemicals are called anthocyanins. They occur naturally in cherries, giving them their bright red color. Anthocyanins also tint other fruits, vegetables, and flowers with bright reds, blues, and purples. Fruit containing the chemicals has shown promise in reducing heart disease risk. The same might also be true for diabetes. Michigan State University researchers recently isolated several anthocyanins from cherries, testing them on insulin-producing pancreatic cells taken from rodents. The cells pumped up their insulin production by 50% when exposed to the anthocyanins. In one case, insulin production nearly doubled when exposed to the most active anthocyanin. That's promising, but anthocyanins need to be tested on animals and humans before they're recommended for diabetes treatment. "We're excited with the laboratory results so far, but more studies are needed," says researcher Muralee Nair, PhD, in a news release. More than just cherries are loaded with anthocyanins. The chemicals are also found in red grapes, strawberries, blueberries, vegetables, and wine, cider, and tea. However, the biggest insulin effects seem to come from the type of anthocyanins found in cherries. One day, anthocyanins might be the building block for new diabetes treatments. Meanwhile, don't rely on cherries to control insulin problems. But since anthocyanins aren't toxic to humans, there's no harm in eating cherries as part of a healthy diet. The study is scheduled to appear in the Jan. 5 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Continue reading >>
Top 10 Fruits For Diabetics
According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million Americans have diabetes and by 2020 half of all Americans will suffer from this disease. Diabetes causes high blood sugar (glucose) levels due to lack of insulin production or function. It is mainly classified as either Type 1, in which the body fails to produce insulin, or Type 2, in which the body is not able to properly use the insulin it produces. It is essential to control diabetes because it can lead to a host of health complications including kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, heart attacks, strokes, poor blood circulation, hearing loss and many more. A healthy lifestyle that includes a proper diet, exercise, proper sleep, less stress and so on plays a major role in controlling blood glucose levels. A diabetes diet plan should include foods that are high in nutrients, low in fat, moderate in calories and few sugary foods. As fruits are generally sweet, people often think that a diabetic person should avoid eating them. But there are several fruits that are particularly effective at managing blood sugar. Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, fruits are a healthy addition to any diet. Some fruits are better than others for diabetics. Moreover, diabetics also need to consider factors like glycemic index and glycemic load as they offer information on how different foods affect blood sugar and insulin levels. Low glycemic index foods are believed to have a beneficial effect on blood glucose control as they do not significantly impact blood sugar levels. Usually, foods with a glycemic index score of 55 and below are classified as low glycemic index foods. Those with a glycemic index score of 70 and above are considered high glycemic index foods. 1. Apples The crunchy, juicy an Continue reading >>
7 Of The Best Fruits For Diabetics (based On Sugar And Nutrients)
Fruits are the perfect snack. They are loaded with nutrients and fiber, relatively low in calories, and easy to bring to work. However, they do contain naturally occurring sugars, sometimes in large amounts. This can be a concern for those who struggle to manage their blood sugars. This article takes a science-based look at the most suitable fruits for diabetics. 1. Blueberries Blueberries are quite low in sugar, with 10 grams per 100 grams of fruit (1). But that sugar is also accompanied by 2 grams of fiber. This is important because when sugar and fiber are eaten together, blood sugar levels don’t spike as quickly (2, 3). It’s the reason 10 grams of sugar from fresh fruits will not have the same effect on blood sugar levels as 10 grams of sugar from a candy bar. In addition, blueberries provide loads of other beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that protect our cells from damage. Interestingly, a study on over 187,000 people tracked over two decades found those who ate the most blueberries had more than a 25% lower risk of getting diabetes than those who ate the fewest (4). Blueberries are great for a snack, and you can even enjoy them in salads. Although they can be particularly expensive, know that frozen blueberries are still nutritious and often much more affordable. 2. Strawberries Strawberries contain even less sugar than blueberries, with only 5 grams per 100 grams of fruit (5). This makes them a great choice for diabetics. They also provide fiber, manganese, folate, and a lot of vitamin C. In fact, 100 grams of strawberries (5-6 large strawberries) provides 98% of our daily vitamin C requirements. Strawberries are a great addition to breakfast foods like oats or yogurt, but they are also delicious on their own. 3. Blackberries Blackberries stand out as n Continue reading >>
Fruit List For Diabetics
Often people suffering from diabetes avoid fruits out of fear that the sugar present in fruits could push up their blood sugar level. However, this is a false conception. Most fruits, specifically fruits rich in fibers, are beneficial for reducing the blood sugar level. Sugar present in fruits is usually in the form of fructose. Unlike other forms of sugar, such as sucrose, fructose has low glucemic index. Minimal insulin is needed for the metabolism of fructose. Intake of this fruit sugar is not associated with sudden surge of the blood sugar level. Studies have shown that by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride production, fructose could protect us from diseases such as arteriosclerosis, which leads to heart diseases and stroke. Diabetes bad food includes those that have high glycemic indexes for glucose- which includes those foods that are high in saturated fats and uncontrollably high amounts of sugar in any of its forms- especially sugar from milk. Which brings us back to our main concern- what kinds of fruits can a diabetic eat? Fruits for diabetics are usually those fruits that have high fiber content and have low sugar content. If we take these criteria and apply it, the first fruit that would come to mind would be the high and mighty avocado. But beware; the large avocados have a lot of calories in it- so if you buy the large avocado from florida, make sure you regulate your calorie intake for the rest of the day. Diabetics should NOT eat cooked fruit. Always eat raw fruits in order to reap the benefits. Here's a list of fruits that are beneficial for Diabetics. Any type of wild or organic berry - Seasons: Range All Year Blueberries, Elderberries, Blackberries, Gooseberries, Strawberries etc. There are loads to choose from. You can find their respective season Continue reading >>
Can Diabetics Eat Cherries?
Diabetics need to keep their blood sugar levels within the target recommended by their doctor to prevent the health complications associated with high blood sugar levels. The best way to keep your blood sugar levels and diabetes under control is to monitor your carbohydrate intake. Every diabetic has a different tolerance to carbs. Testing your blood sugar levels regularly before and after eating, with the help of a qualified diabetes educator, can help you establish yours. Cherries can be part of your diabetes diet, as long as they don't contain added sugar and fit within your carbohydrate allowance. Sour Cherries Sour cherries contain fewer carbohydrates compared to sweet cherries and may be easier for diabetics to tolerate. A 1-cup serving of pitted sour cherries has about 19 grams of carbs, which is the equivalent to the amount of carbs found in almost 5 teaspoons of sugar. Start with 1/2 cup of fresh sour cherries and monitor your blood sugar levels in the next few hours to see if your body is able to handle them without compromising your blood sugar. Sweet Cherries Sweet cherries contain more carbohydrates per serving and can therefore elevate your blood sugar levels more than sour cherries. With about 25 grams of carbs per cup of pitted sweet cherries, this serving will turn into the equivalent of just over 6 teaspoons of sugar in your blood. Measure out a small serving of cherries instead of eating them straight out of the bag to avoid eating too many. A serving of 1/2 cup should be well tolerated by most diabetics, but checking your blood sugar levels in the next one to two hours after consuming them is the best way to tell how your body reacts. Canned Cherries Canned cherries are not a good option for diabetics because they are often packed in juice or syrup t Continue reading >>
The 4 Foods That Will Steady Your Blood Sugar
Wondering what blood sugar has to do with you, if you don’t have diabetes? Keeping your blood sugar levels as steady as possiblenow may help you avoid getting diabetes later. “As you get older, your risk for type 2 diabetes goes up,” says Alissa Rumsey, Registered Dietitian and Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Since you can’t modify your age, it is important to take other steps to lower your risk, including maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough exercise, and balancing your diet to prevent spikes in blood sugar.” Controlling your blood sugar will also just make you feel better. “It’s best to control blood sugar—it keeps your energy stable,” says Leann Olansky, M.D., an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “If your blood sugar doesn’t vary that much before and after a meal, that’s a healthier way to be.” Unrelated to diabetes, symptoms of occasional high blood sugar aren’t life-threatening, but rather unpleasant and only potentially dangerous if you suffer from other health problems. “When your blood sugar is too high, it can make you feel sluggish,” says Dr. Olansky. “When it’s higher still, it can lead to dehydration and make your blood pressure unstable, and cause you to urinate more often, especially at night.” But when your blood sugar remains chronically high, insulin, a hormone that’s supposed to help your body store sugar as energy, stops working as it should. “Prolonged high blood sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance, meaning your body isn’t able to use insulin properly,” says Rumsey. “Over time this insulin resistance can develop into diabetes, when insulin isn’t able to keep your blood sugar within normal levels.” Current research reveals an association between spik Continue reading >>
