How To Enjoy Fruits In Diabetes!

Gayatri Kulkarni elaborates on how to enjoy the goodness of fruits in moderation

- Gayatri Kulkarni

Diabetes is fast growing into a major health concern among healthcare providers in India. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which there is a complete absence of insulin secretion in the body. This leads to high sugar levels in the blood and requires external insulin administration to manage blood sugar levels. In Type 2 Diabetes, either the body fails to produce sufficient insulin or the cells in the body are unable to absorb insulin to process glucose in the blood. This leads to uncontrolled blood sugar levels in the blood. Type 2 Diabetes may occur due to many reasons such as lifestyle disorder, obesity, and other health conditions. Type 2 Diabetes can be managed through diet, exercise, and Diabetes medications. Prediabetes is a condition wherein the blood sugar levels are increased but not high enough to be termed Diabetes.

Diet plays an important role in blood sugar management. We all are aware that fruits are very important in our diet. They contain antioxidants (to fight against infections), phytochemical (to fight against cancers), fibre (to help improve gut health and stay away from obesity) as well as carbohydrates in the form of fructose.

People with prediabetes or those with Diabetes often face the dilemma of 'whether fruits are safe for them' or 'should they worry about blood sugar levels after eating fruits'. For a person with Diabetes, fruits are safe when eaten in the right quantity, at the right time and with a good combination of food. According to the American Diabetic Association, fruits are the best way to curb sweet cravings. A 2013 study published in the British Medical Journal concluded that the consumption of whole fruits like apples, blueberries and grapes is significantly associated with a lower risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Let's take a look at the nutritional benefits of some fruits that are commonly eaten: