What fruits can diabetic patients eat?
Generally, diabetic patients can consume fruits with a low glycemic index, rich in dietary fiber, and moderate sugar content, such as apples, pears, blueberries, grapefruits, and strawberries. These fruits have minimal impact on blood glucose levels and can also supply vitamins and minerals. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Apples: Apples are neutral in nature, sweet and sour in taste, and rich in dietary fiber and vitamins. Dietary fiber delays sugar absorption, helping to stabilize post-meal blood glucose. Additionally, the pectin content in apples promotes intestinal motility. Diabetic patients can consume small amounts of apples between meals.
2. Pears: Pears are cold in nature, slightly sweet and sour, with low sugar content and high water content. Pears contain abundant B vitamins and dietary fiber, which can replenish body fluids and nutrients without causing significant fluctuations in blood glucose. It is recommended to peel and cut them into pieces, while controlling the portion size each time.
3. Blueberries: Blueberries are neutral in nature, sweet and sour, with an extremely low glycemic index. They are rich in anthocyanins and dietary fiber. Anthocyanins help protect blood vessels, while dietary fiber enhances satiety and delays blood glucose elevation. Diabetic patients can consume small amounts daily as a snack option.
4. Grapefruit: Grapefruit is cold in nature, sweet and sour, with low sugar content and rich in vitamin C and flavonoids. The components in grapefruit can help regulate metabolism and reduce sugar absorption to some extent. It is suitable for diabetic patients to consume when their blood glucose levels are well controlled.
5. Strawberries: Strawberries are cool in nature, sweet and sour, with a low glycemic index and high water and vitamin content. The dietary fiber in strawberries promotes intestinal motility, reducing the time sugar remains in the intestines. Portion control is important, and strawberries can be consumed with sugar-free yogurt to enhance nutritional balance.
In daily life, besides choosing appropriate fruits, diabetic patients should also pay attention to controlling total calorie intake and include fruit calories in their daily dietary plan. Fruits should preferably be consumed between meals, avoiding immediate consumption after meals to prevent a sharp rise in blood glucose levels.