For people with diabetes looking to incorporate fruit into their dietary plan, pineapples can be a good choice. However, since they can cause small spikes in blood sugar, eat them in moderation.
Medium-Glycemic Fruit
Foods with a low-glycemic index cause a small, even rise in blood sugar, while foods with a high-glycemic index cause a fast rise and then a drop in blood sugar. Pineapple is a medium-glycemic food, so it's possible that it may cause a slight rise and drop in blood sugar.
The answer is both yes and no—it depends on how much pineapple you eat and how it affects your blood sugar levels. Pineapples may not have a low GI, but they're not always on the high GI scale either—they vary! The whole fruit has a GI, or glycemic index of around 59 to 66, but could be as high as 82.
“Not more than 100gm per day of pineapple must be consumed as increased consumption may further increase blood sugar levels. Also, other sources of proteins and nutrients must also be consumed. Diabetics must also ensure to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day,” said Dr Rajeev.
As fresh pineapple sugar content is almost negligible. Avoid any sugary syrup or rinse the syrup before consuming it. While consuming dried pineapple or ingesting pineapple juice, take care that the sugar in a pineapple would be higher than a smaller serving.
The American Diabetes Association reports that any fruit is fine for a person with diabetes, so long as that person is not allergic to that type of fruit. In fact, studies such as one from 2017 have found that a higher fruit intake is significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Some commonly eaten fresh fruits may raise your blood sugar more quickly than others. These include figs, grapes, mangos, cherries and bananas. Eat them in moderation and in the suggested serving size of one small fruit or 1/2 cup.
gram-for-gram, pineapple has less than half the calories of banana and about 30 per cent less sugar. What's more, pineapple has about four times more vitamin c than the common cavendish banana.
In particular, apples, berries, grapes, and citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit) are good choices for people who wish to control blood glucose with diet. Although citrus fruits are sweet, they are low glycemic index foods and do not affect blood sugars as much as certain other fruits like pineapples and mangoes.
With so few carbohydrates, a high fiber content, and healthful fat, people with diabetes can enjoy an avocado in moderation without the stress of raising their blood sugar levels. Pairing an avocado with other foods may help reduce blood sugar spikes too.
Pineapples are best when eaten on an empty stomach. Prefer eating them during earlier part of the days or during afternoon. Do not eat pineapples after meals. You can probably eat them 30 minutes before your meal.
A food that is free of fat and high in fiber and vitamins is pineapple. Because it helps lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and regulate intestinal function, fiber is crucial for persons with diabetes.
The fruits with the highest sugar content include mangoes, pomegranates, oranges, and pears. If someone has diabetes, they can still have these fruits, but they may wish to ask their doctor if they should eat them in smaller portions.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes consume fruit in moderation, including bananas. This doesn't mean you should ignore those carbohydrates, but you should consider how many carbs you need daily.
Blueberries: A whole cup of blueberries contains 15 grams of sugar. Not bad, considering these berries are packed with antioxidants and fiber! Pineapple: Moving towards the higher end of the spectrum, one cup of diced pineapple holds about 16 grams of sugar.
Experts advise drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day for oxygen to flow freely in your body and help the kidneys and colon eliminate waste. What's best, it helps in flushing out excess sugar from your body.
Since your body doesn't respond to insulin the same as most, your fasting blood sugar reading can go up, even if you follow a strict diet. The boost in sugar is your body's way of making sure you have enough energy to get up and start the day.