Food control and monitoring are essential for a diabetic patient. Indeed, a balanced diet along with physical activity and drug treatment makes it possible to avoid complications. In this context, you might be wondering whether a diabetic person should eat fruits. The general answer is: it depends. Below you will find the lists of fruits you can moderately eat and those you should avoid as a person with diabetes.
Diabetes and blood sugar
Glycemia, also called “sugar level” or “glucose level” in the blood varies in a diabetic person for several reasons: diet, treatment, intense physical activity, stress, etc. Maintaining glycemic balance, avoiding its variations, and therefore monitoring the diet, is essential for a diabetic patient to live well with diabetes on a daily basis. Indeed, fruits contain sugar. This sugar must be taken into account for a diet suitable for a diabetic patient.
There are two main types of diabetes: insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes) and type 2 diabetes. Regarding the consumption of fruit, the insulin-dependent diabetic can do pretty much whatever they want, but they must control their insulin and correct their diet accordingly. The type 2 diabetic, on the other hand, must eat fruit reasonably, without exceeding two per day. Indeed, fruits, like vegetables, provide vitamins and minerals, which are extremely important for a balanced diet, especially in diabetic patients. However, while some fruits are authorized, others should be avoided.
Authorized fruits
Authorized fruits are those with a sugar level less than or equal to 11 g per 100 g.
| Fruit | Sugar rate (in g per 100g) |
|---|---|
| Apricot | 9 |
| Pineapple | 11 |
| Carambole | 2.9 |
| Cassis | 10.40 |
| Yellow lemon | 1.69 |
| Lime | 2.25 |
| Clementine | 11 |
| Quince | 6.30 |
| Prickly pear | 10.10 |
| Strawberry | 4 |
| Raspberry | 4.20 |
| Passion fruit | 9.40 |
| Currant | 6.40 |
| Kiwi | 8.44 |
| Kumquat | 9.60 |
| Melon | 6.50 |
| Mandarine | 9.70 |
| Ripe | 6 |
| Nectarine / Brugnon | 8.90 |
| Orange | 8.04 |
| Grapefruit | 6.20 |
| Papaya | 9.90 |
| Watermelon | 7.30 |
| Peach | 8.19 |
| Pear | 9.15 |
| Pomelo | 6.20 |
| Apple | 11 |
| Prune | 9.60 |
Keep in mind that it is better to eat the fruits at the end of the meal so that they are digested at the same time as the other foods.
Fruits to avoid
The following fruits are not strictly prohibited, but must be consumed in small quantities, because they have a high sugar level, i.e. greater than 11g per 100 g.
| Fruits | Taux de sucre (en g pour 100g) |
|---|---|
| Banane | 20.50 |
| Cerise | 14.20 |
| Raisin noir | 15 |
| Raisin blanc | 16.10 |
| Figue | 13.40 |
| Grenade | 13.60 |
| Kaki | 13.70 |
| Litchi | 14 |
| Mangue | 13.50 |
| Mirabelle | 12.40 |
Forbidden fruits
No fruit is really forbidden. However, it is absolutely necessary to ban fruits with additions or processed foods that claim to be 100% natural because we are unable to control their sugar levels. For example: fruit jam, dried fruits or fruits in syrup, fruit juices, soda, compotes, etc.…
As a reminder, here are three key indications to respect as a diabetic person:
- Eat a lot of wholegrain products: wholemeal bread, wholemeal rusks, wholemeal rice…
- Increase the fiber rations in the form of vegetables in particular (but also fruits!).
- Be physically active, as there is a link between physical activity and lower blood sugar levels.
For more information on diabetes and diet recommendation for diabetic patients, please check our main diabetes article here.
Keep in mind, the information provided here is only that. For professional advice, please talk to your doctor.
