If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you can still enjoy plenty of fresh berries in your diet. Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries all score low on the glycemic index – so you can enjoy them as a great, healthy source of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants.
For a diabetic person, the key to keep a check on blood sugar is to make use of portion control. Thanks to the low-carb density of blueberries, you can safely enjoy a 3/4th cup serving. This is the ideal serving size of blueberries for diabetics.
Blackberries and blueberries won't raise your blood sugar levels as much as other fruits. These berries are high in fiber and have the highest concentrations of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins inhibit certain digestive enzymes to slow down digestion. They also prevent spikes in blood sugar after eating starch-rich meals.
Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. Dad jokes aside, foods like blueberries provide fiber and antioxidants known to lower blood sugar and inflammation.
The Best Berries for Diabetics
Intermediate-GI foods score between 55 and 70. High GI foods score above 70. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries all have scores below 40.
Diabetics should avoid fruits with a high GI or eat them in moderation so that their blood sugar levels do not spike abruptly. Pineapple, watermelon, mango, lychee, and banana have a high GI, so these are the worst fruits if you are diabetic.
Key Takeaways. Data suggests eating blueberries daily for eight weeks may result in improved outcomes for diabetic patients, like improved A1C and triglyceride levels. These outcomes may be due to the anthocyanin content of the blueberries, suggesting this fruit can be a healthy part of a diabetes diet.
Some commonly eaten fresh fruits may raise your blood sugar more quickly than others. These include figs, grapes, mangos, cherries and bananas.
Carrots can be a safe choice if you have diabetes and are watching your blood sugar levels. They're also non-starchy vegetables. So you can even enjoy small amounts of carrots if you're following the ketogenic, or keto, diet.
Blueberries and insulin sensitivity
According to a 2010 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, obese adults with prediabetes improved insulin sensitivity by drinking blueberry smoothies. The study suggested that blueberries can make the body more responsive to insulin, which may help people with prediabetes.
Newsflash: There is no "worst" fruit. All fruit delivers fiber and nutrients and can be part of a healthy diet. Unfortunately, bananas, pineapples and mangoes get a bad rap for their higher sugar content compared to berries. Don't avoid them altogether, though.
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.
For most people with diabetes, fruits — including bananas — are a healthy choice. However, some people who are following low carb diets need to watch their total carbohydrate intake to stay within their daily carb allotment. This means foods higher in carbs, including bananas, have to be limited on low carb diets.
Grapes are adored, nourishing fruits and are safe for diabetics. People can eat them and add them to their diabetic diets as they do not harm or spike glucose levels. Consuming grapes help to reduce the susceptibility to developing type 2 diabetes.
How many blueberries a day? Blueberries are something that can be enjoyed every day, and two handfuls of blueberries, which is the equivalent of 4 heaped teaspoons, counts towards one of your five-a-day portions. Research has found that eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Early trials suggest that cucumber is one of the most effective plants for not only reducing blood sugar levels but also lowering the risk of hypoglycemia during a blood sugar drop. For people with diabetes, cucumber may be a helpful addition to their diet to moderate blood sugar levels more effectively.
Barley or jau water is high in insoluble fibre, which makes it good for diabetics. It is recommended for diabetics as it helps stabilise blood glucose levels. Make sure you drink unsweetened barley water to get effective results. The antioxidant properties of barley water also helps keep many diseases at bay.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend yogurt as part of a healthful diet for people with diabetes. There are many different types of yogurt available. The examples below are also available with added probiotics: Greek yogurt contains double the protein of conventional yogurt.
Apples are an excellent fruit to include in your diet if you have diabetes. Most dietary guidelines for people living with diabetes recommend a diet that includes fruits and vegetables (21). Fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.