Fruit and Diabetes

[Maybole]

I have about half a kilo of mixed chopped fruit for breakfast every morning. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (for which I take 80mg of Diamicron daily) I asked the doctor about this and he told me that "fruit is good for you but don't overdo it." Now a relative (who is always right and will not be contradicted) has seen something on YouTube that fruit is Taboo for all diabetics and has tried to forbid me from my favourite breakfast. My Hb1ac reading over 5 years have been stable at 6.0 to 6.2. I would like a second opinion.

[still kicking]

23 minutes ago, Maybole said:

I have about half a kilo of mixed chopped fruit for breakfast every morning. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (for which I take 80mg of Diamicron daily) I asked the doctor about this and he told me that "fruit is good for you but don't overdo it." Now a relative (who is always right and will not be contradicted) has seen something on YouTube that fruit is Taboo for all diabetics and has tried to forbid me from my favourite breakfast. My Hb1ac reading over 5 years have been stable at 6.0 to 6.2. I would like a second opinion.

I have diabetes 2 as well and eat fruit every morning when I take my medication my doctor reckons it is healthy.

[mstevens]

Diabetics need to be conscious of their total sugar / carb intake. Bread, pasta, rice, fruit, sugar etc - they all increase your blood sugar. Some fruits like mangoes, ripe bananas, watermelon can be quite high in sugar and depending on the amount consumed, can spike your blood sugar. A small piece of mango should be fine, whereas a whole, large ripe mango could increase blood sugar. Other fruits like berries and pears are much lower in sugar. Generally, you want to avoid the high-sugar fruit while also being aware of your total sugar / carb intake. Best way to do this is to monitor your blood sugar levels at home, and get Hb1ac tested every 3 to 6 months. If your blood sugar levels are stable, then some fruit and carbs is fine. If your blood sugar levels are unstable, you might need to cut back on fruit and other carbs, and possibly adjust your diabetes meds (with medical professional help).

[geisha]

55 minutes ago, mstevens said:

Diabetics need to be conscious of their total sugar / carb intake. Bread, pasta, rice, fruit, sugar etc - they all increase your blood sugar. Some fruits like mangoes, ripe bananas, watermelon can be quite high in sugar and depending on the amount consumed, can spike your blood sugar. A small piece of mango should be fine, whereas a whole, large ripe mango could increase blood sugar. Other fruits like berries and pears are much lower in sugar. Generally, you want to avoid the high-sugar fruit while also being aware of your total sugar / carb intake. Best way to do this is to monitor your blood sugar levels at home, and get Hb1ac tested every 3 to 6 months. If your blood sugar levels are stable, then some fruit and carbs is fine. If your blood sugar levels are unstable, you might need to cut back on fruit and other carbs, and possibly adjust your diabetes meds (with medical professional help).

That’s right. Testing often is important. I was told only to eat fruit after a meal. Definitely not ripe bananas, full of sugar. Eat more green. Check each fruit you like for sugar count.

[scubascuba3]

Fruits vary to how much sugar is in them, maybe google the ones you eat. I often add sugar to smoothies as the fruit isn't sweet enough (I'm not diabetic)

[KhunLA]

I get that most fruits are nutritious, but if I was a diabetic, I'd use a bit more judgement in which fruits and how I ate them.

 

I'm not even diabetic and I try to pay attention to my fruit sugar intake.  

[Kopitiam]

10 hours ago, Maybole said:

I have about half a kilo of mixed chopped fruit for breakfast every morning. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (for which I take 80mg of Diamicron daily) I asked the doctor about this and he told me that "fruit is good for you but don't overdo it." Now a relative (who is always right and will not be contradicted) has seen something on YouTube that fruit is Taboo for all diabetics and has tried to forbid me from my favourite breakfast. My Hb1ac reading over 5 years have been stable at 6.0 to 6.2. I would like a second opinion.

The best way to find out what food you take can affect your blood sugar value is to do your own "experiment" at home.  Test your blood sugar value before meal.  Take another reading 2 hours after you have consumed the food. Use one of those home kit for blood sugar testing (e.g ACCU-CHEK, Omron, Sinocare, etc).  It is tedious and requires discipline.  I have developed it into an "art".  I weigh my dry pasta before I cook it so that I control the portion size.  It's not just the type of food you eat but also the portion size that can affect your blood sugar level.

 

The HbA1c value only gives you the average blood sugar value for the past 3 months (your 6.0 to 6.2 values are very good).  Some food release sugar to your blood faster than others (Glycemic Index), which you have to be aware of (e.g. refined sugar, etc).  As a diabetic, you should avoid this type of food as sudden spikes in blood sugar level over time can damage small blood veins especially in your eyes.

 

It doesn't mean that as a diabetic your cannot enjoy your food.  Eat everything in moderation and some type of food less frequently than others.

 

Good luck in your effort to control your diabetes.

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

The HbA1c value only gives you the average blood sugar value for the past 3 months (your 6.0 to 6.2 values are very good).

No they are not, prediabetic 

[Sheryl]

6 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

No they are not, prediabetic 

An A1c of 6.0 - 6.2 is  very good for a diabetic. Usual aim in management of diabetes is to stay below 7.0.

 

OP with fruit it very much depends on what type of fruit and the quantity (half a kilo a day does sound rather a lot).  Berries, apples, oranges are comparatively low on the glycemic index. You can google "glycemic index fruit " to compare.

 

The form of the fruit matters, you talk about "mixed chopped fruit", I'm not sure what you mean by that, but fruit that has been processed will have less fiber (important to blood sugar regulation)  and the more minced/chopped a piece of fruit is beforehand,  the more rapidly its sugar will be released.  Eating whole fruits would be better. 

 

Also matters what else you eat at the same time as this can affect the speed with which sugars are absorbed.  If you are eating fruit by itself as your breakfast, not a great idea. Taken with greek yogurt or other foods that contain both protein and fat would be wiser. 

 

AS other poster suggested you can  assess how specific foods sre affecting you by doing home blood test after meals.

 

Thete is certainly no need to completely avoid all fruits but a half kilo  of minced/chopped fruit every day at one sitting does seem excessive....and not consistent with the good original advice given by your doctor. 

 

 

[Sheryl]

A post with an unreliable social media link has been removed.

 

 

[tesolguru]

There is not a simple answer to your question since you are type 2.  Test your blood sugar 1 hour after eating your fruit - if it's over 150(US measurement) it's a no go.  Diabetes basically means your body is carbohydrate intolerant.  Type 2 can vary from severe to mild.  I've been Type 1 for 48 years. An A1C of 6.0 is not terrible, but it does mean you are definitely diabetic.

[PeterA]

I am also type 2. I have a bowl of mixed fruit and yogurt every morning. My A1c is low 6 to high 5 with metformin and Insulin now. 

I did a google search on everything I eat for the glycemic load and glycemic index. I have a long list of things ok to eat. Many fruits are low GI. The ones that you stay away from are watermelon, jack- fruit, pineapple, dried dates, most dried fruits (drying concentrates the sugars), yellow (sweet) bananas, canned pears. 

[Kwaibill]

On 2/5/2025 at 11:17 PM, Maybole said:

I have about half a kilo of mixed chopped fruit for breakfast every morning. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (for which I take 80mg of Diamicron daily) I asked the doctor about this and he told me that "fruit is good for you but don't overdo it." Now a relative (who is always right and will not be contradicted) has seen something on YouTube that fruit is Taboo for all diabetics and has tried to forbid me from my favourite breakfast. My Hb1ac reading over 5 years have been stable at 6.0 to 6.2. I would like a second opinion.

Been working with my diabetes for thirty years. Fruit is a valuable adjunct to your diabetic diet, but as with EVERYTHING you eat moderation is the key and only you and your medical team can know what is working for you.

.Half a kilo sounds like a lot, but an A1c of 6.2 is pretty good. Mine just this week had advanced by 0.1% to 6.7. My doc noted it but is pleased if I stay under 7.0. I am given some latitude because of age and co-morbidities. Consult with your health care team on this, please.

[Dario]

On 2/5/2025 at 11:17 PM, Maybole said:

I have about half a kilo of mixed chopped fruit for breakfast every morning. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (for which I take 80mg of Diamicron daily) I asked the doctor about this and he told me that "fruit is good for you but don't overdo it." Now a relative (who is always right and will not be contradicted) has seen something on YouTube that fruit is Taboo for all diabetics and has tried to forbid me from my favourite breakfast. My Hb1ac reading over 5 years have been stable at 6.0 to 6.2. I would like a second opinion.

 

I think you shouldn't worry at all about having 1/2 a kg of fruit every morning if your hb1ac is around 6.0! Mine is still 9.0 which is much too high. I have been having diabetes type 2 for nearly 20 years.

[Presnock]

Dr. William Li, Harvard Doctor and researcher of benefitial foods, especially when fighting diseases says thateating modest amounts of fruits actually dcreases weight gain and combats obesity.  Fruit fiber he says feeds the gut micobiome, helping the health defense to improve your blood glucose utilization and overall  metabolism - and also lower tridlycerides and total cholesterol.  Eat healthy!

[newbee2022]

On 2/5/2025 at 11:17 PM, Maybole said:

I have about half a kilo of mixed chopped fruit for breakfast every morning. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (for which I take 80mg of Diamicron daily) I asked the doctor about this and he told me that "fruit is good for you but don't overdo it." Now a relative (who is always right and will not be contradicted) has seen something on YouTube that fruit is Taboo for all diabetics and has tried to forbid me from my favourite breakfast. My Hb1ac reading over 5 years have been stable at 6.0 to 6.2. I would like a second opinion.

Well, if it was on YouTube then it's true. Or you wait until it's published on Truth Social.

(You didn't wonder what makes the sweet taste in your fruits??🤣🤣)

[newbee2022]

18 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Eating whole fruits would be better. 

With seeds. Don't forget chewing🤣

[ignis]

Diabetic 1.5 for 33 years, eat  fruit every day my A1c is around 6.0 - 6.2 for past 10 years

 

everyday eat Mullberries [ have in the garden 11 bushes, so mostly have them daily, if to many will make some Jam or a fruit juice. have Maqui Berries also classed as a superfood.

At this moment Cherries are 259 baht per kg, yesterday Strawberries were down to 150 baht Kg also very good for Diabetics.

 

Do not find Bananas' spike my blood sugar, every so often buy a bunch around 30 baht - 30 odd finger bananas  which I like best,

Crambrabbies were cheap also classed as a superfood for Diabetics

 

Sugar in fruit is different than refined sugar, so in moderation is good for you

 

[Carlosm]

When i researched this some years ago i found that the best fruit is pomegranate. Wife gets it from the local market. Doesn't taste too good to me so put it in some palin yogart.

Also i found, off topic a little, that 100% dark chocolate is really good for diabetics and can be cut up and put into your breakfast bowl.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i5353588475-s22754380953.html?urlFlag=true&mp=1

[jaideedave]

On 2/6/2025 at 1:40 AM, mstevens said:

Diabetics need to be conscious of their total sugar / carb intake. Bread, pasta, rice, fruit, sugar etc - they all increase your blood sugar. Some fruits like mangoes, ripe bananas, watermelon can be quite high in sugar and depending on the amount consumed, can spike your blood sugar. A small piece of mango should be fine, whereas a whole, large ripe mango could increase blood sugar. Other fruits like berries and pears are much lower in sugar. Generally, you want to avoid the high-sugar fruit while also being aware of your total sugar / carb intake. Best way to do this is to monitor your blood sugar levels at home, and get Hb1ac tested every 3 to 6 months. If your blood sugar levels are stable, then some fruit and carbs is fine. If your blood sugar levels are unstable, you might need to cut back on fruit and other carbs, and possibly adjust your diabetes meds (with medical professional help).

Sometimes I will look up the GI Glycemic Index of different foods. A lot of local Thai fruits are quite high in that regard.

[Lacessit]

Fruit contains fructose and sucrose.

 

Sucrose is sugar. It hydrolyzes to fructose and glucose in the stomach.

 

Glucose is what shows up in tests for type 2 diabetes. Fructose does not.

 

Excessive fructose consumption increases the risk of developing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ( NAFLD )

 

NAFLD is diagnosed by checking for elevated levels of liver enzymes. The gold standard test is liver biopsy.

 

While NAFLD of itself is not usually fatal, it can be a contributory factor in dangerous conditions such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

 

The best fruits to eat in order to limit total sugar intake are any berries - strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry. Apples are also relatively low. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants.

 

As with many items of food, moderation is key.

[scubascuba3]

3 hours ago, ignis said:

Sugar in fruit is different than refined sugar, so in moderation is good for you

 

white sugar is 50% fructose 50% glucose, Fruit fructose

[Sheryl]

The small intestined breaks fructose down into glucose.  Howevrr if an excessively large load of fructose is ingested some of it "spills over" to the liver...with negative metabolic  consequences. 

 

Sucrose has a glycemic index of 65. Fructose is about 25 (high fructose corn syrup OTOH is over 80). 

 

While fruits contain fructose they also contain sucrose and glucose in varying amounts, hence the wide variation in  glycemic index between different types of  fruit. 

 

[tesolguru]

Just because you do it, or someone says it's ok, doesn't make it ok.  Test your sugar and see if it's elevated or not if you really want to know.  Much of the info I have received from the medical field over the years has been flat-out false.  Ex. Eating "sugar-free: can be very detrimental.  Check the carbohydrate content of sugar-free ice cream vs regular ice cream if you want an eye-opener (and I'm not recommending eating regular ice cream!). An A1C of 6 means your average blood sugar is 126/7 which is not terrible, but definitely diabetic in range vs normal blood sugar levels of a non-diabetic. And that is an average, so you blood sugar levels could be much higher and much lower at some points.