If you have a history of diabetes in the family, you must be wondering which fruit is safe and which one should be avoided. Is pineapple good for diabetics, or should you stay far away from it? Can diabetics eat pineapple?
In this article, you will learn if pineapple is safe to eat for people with sugar, how to eat it safely and what is the safest proportion and time to eat it.
Contents:
Pineapple: Nutritional Profile
Pineapple is a super fruit for a reason. Enriched with fresh vitamins, an exquisite taste and a whole multitude of vitamins, this tropical fruit is easily available these days.
As diabetes is a chronic condition that makes it challenging to regulate the inflated blood sugar level, it becomes essential for patients to keep tabs on the glycemic index of everything that they consume.
Pineapple glycemic index or GI is 66. It falls under the medium category of severity.
- Low GI foods have a score of less than 55
- Medium GI score falls in the range of 56 to 69
- High GI foods have a score of more than 70
Top 10 Low fruits that are safe for diabetics:
You must have heard that “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” That stands true for diabetics too, the best breakfast ideas for diabetes patients take into account both the nutrition value and the sugar intake.
Pineapples are a great source of Vitamin C, B12, A, fiber, iron, magnesium, and potassium. But do you know the amount of sugar in pineapple? As it is rich in fiber, it can keep you full for a long time and even slow down sugar absorption.
Can Diabetics Eat Pineapple Safely?
As it falls under the medium Glycemic Index category, it can be consumed in moderation, but there is more to it than just that. How the fruit is consumed, what you eat with it, and when you eat it are all critical factors.
Diabetic patients often hold this idea of not eating fruit because they are too sweet, but they miss out on the essential nutrition that fruits provide. A sugar patient can eat pineapple. In fact, a sugar patient must eat fruits to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
Benefits of Eating Pineapple for Diabetes
Diabetics should have a healthy dose of fruit in their diet, is pineapple good for diabetics, or should lower GI fruits be preferred? Contrary to what many people believe, pineapple can be safely consumed by people who have a sugar problem & this is why it should be eaten.
- High Vitamin C intake is very important in maintaining a strong and healthy immune system.
- A diabetic patient can get a good dose of calcium, magnesium, folate, and antioxidants essential for boosting health.
- It can help in getting stronger bones due to the presence of a healthy dose of manganese.
- It helps in digestion and reduces inflammation.
- It can satiate a person’s sweet tooth without negatively impacting blood sugar levels.
Patients with type 2 diabetes can keep careful tabs on their food consumption through the following:
1. Carbohydrate Count:
Keeping a tab of carbs intake for each meal. The relatively high carbs in pineapple mean that you will have to maintain a low carb intake during your meal.
2. The Plate Method:
A balanced proportion of varying food types can keep your plate nutrition-rich & safe to eat. Mix one-half of non-starchy veggies with one-quarter of lean protein and one-quarter of starch-rich foods.
3. Taking Note of the Glycemic Index (GI):
As pineapple ranks relatively high in GI, it should be eaten with low glycemic foods.
How to Consume Pineapple?
You can consume pineapple in the following forms:
- Raw Pineapple
- Salad
- Juice
- Canned/Processed
Eating raw pineapple is the best way to consume the fruit. Canned/processed or commercially available juices may contain added sugar that can mess with the overall pineapple sugar content & your daily intake.
What is the Best Time to Eat a Pineapple?
The best time to eat pineapple is in between meals as a healthy snack. Consuming pineapple on an empty stomach can cause acidity for some people. Hence it is advisable to eat it after a meal. Diabetic patients should consume limited quantities of pineapple, keeping in mind the overall intake of foods during the day.
Risks of Over Consumption of Pineapple
If you are drinking pineapple juice or eating pineapple, do keep in mind the sugar intake, carbohydrates you are consuming, and the GI of your entire meal. Please make a note of your consumption to avoid excess intake. Overconsumption can cause a spike in sugar level, which can be dangerous for a diabetic, especially someone with type 2 diabetes. Avoid the following:-
- Pineapple juices
- Syrups
- Eating more than 100 grams of pineapple in a day.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Consuming pineapple in moderation is safe for diabetics.
- Pineapple is rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, manganese, and other very essential nutrients that boost immunity and overall health.
- Pineapple has a relatively medium GI (Glycemic Index).
- Make sure you pair pineapple with low GI foods for a balanced approach.
- Avoid consuming pineapple on an empty stomach.
- Go for raw or frozen pineapple and make sure to track your intake on Phable.
- Avoid drinking pineapple juice or syrups.
Friendly Asked Questions
Moderate consumption of pineapple is good for diabetic patients. It can provide essential nutrients like Vitamin C, antioxidants, manganese, etc., and also satiate a patient’s sweet tooth.
A diabetic shouldn’t consume more than 100 gm of pineapple per day. Diabetic patients should be cautious of their pineapple intake, keeping tabs on the GI (Glycemic index) of other foods that they consume along with the pineapple.
A diabetic can drink pineapple juice in limited quantities. However, manufactured juices can contain added sugar. It is advisable to eat raw pineapple over juice.
No, pineapple doesn’t kill diabetes, but diabetics can include pineapple in their diet as a nutritious snack.
Type 2 diabetics can safely consume pineapple if it is eaten in moderation, paired with low GI, and low carb foods.