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Diabetes: Fruits to Avoid and Good Fruits for Diabetic Patients

by Vince Barry

I know what you're thinking: "Can diabetics eat fruit? Are there good fruits for diabetic patients, yet other fruits to avoid? What fruits are part of the ideal diet for diabetics? Surprise! When it comes to diabetes, fruits to avoid equals a big fat zero! And ALL fruits are part of the ideal diet for diabetics! Like vegetables for diabetics, fruits are filled with fiber, minerals and vitamins. You do have to count fruits as part of your meal plan, because they do have fructose, a form of sugar (but not in a bad form). But eating fresh fruit is perfect for the diabetic with the sweet tooth, as fruit can do a lot to alleviate those sweet tooth cravings.

What fruits should a diabetic choose?

The best choices of fruit for diabetics are any that are fresh, frozen or canned without added sugars.

General Tips: Good Fruits for Diabetics

1. Choose canned fruits in juice or light syrup (heavy syrup is DEFINITELY not on the Good Fruits for Diabetic Patients list. In fact, it would be on the Diabetes: Fruits to Avoid List!

2. Dried fruit and fruit juice are also nutritious choices and good fruits for diabetic patients, but the portion sizes must be kept small so they may not be as filling as other choices.

Tips for the Diabetic Diet For Carb Counters. A portion of fruits for diabetics is equal to a small piece of whole fruit or about 1/2 cup of frozen or canned fruit, which has about 15 grams of carbohydrate. Servings for most fresh berries and melons are from 3/4 - 1 cup. Fruit juice can range from 1/3 -1/2 cup for 15 grams of carbohydrate. ALERT! Minimize the intake of juice! And read the labels! Absolutely, positively, no high fructose corn syrup! Many so-called fruit juices contain this poison-it's a plague to be avoided. Only 2 tablespoons of dried fruit like raisins or dried cherries contains 15 grams of carbohydrate so be cautious with your portion sizes! Fruit can be eaten in exchange for other carbohydrates in your meal plan such as starches, grains, or dairy.

For the Create a Plate Method. For those on the plate method, half a cup of fruit salad or a small piece of fresh fruit goes very well with the small portions of starch and proteins, or non-starchy veggies, on your plate.

For using the Glycemic Index. The fructose and fiber in fruit makes most of them Low Glycemic Index (GI) Foods. Dried fruits, like raisins, cranberries and dates, as well as melons and pineapple, have medium glycemic index values. Enjoy your fruit, as they encouraged when using the GI as a food guide.

Fruits for Diabetics The following is a list of good fruits for diabetic patients:

Apples, Applesauce, Apricots, Banana, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Dates, Dried fruit, Figs, Fruit cocktail, Grapefruit, Grapes, Honeydew melon, Kiwi, Mango, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Peaches, Pears, Pineapple, Plums, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangerines, Watermelon

Diabetes: Fruits to Avoid List

NONE!!

Diabetes might be tough, but YOU can be tougher! My Ideal Diet for Diabetics and Natural Remedies for High Blood Sugar can empower you to take control over high blood sugar and diabetes. You CAN do it. Good luck, and be well, Vince Barry.

Published August 20th, 2010

Filed in Health