Fruit has always been a controversial topic when it comes to adding it in the diabetes diet. This is because a diabetic is advised to consume a low-sugar, and low carb diet. Strawberry is rich in natural sweetness that puts it in the risk category. However, you should note that eating fruits is different than eating a sugary food. It impacts your body differently, and does not cause spike in the blood sugar levels. Let us know more about the safety of consumption of strawberries when you have diabetes.
How safe are strawberries in diabetes?
It is safe to eat strawberries when you have diabetes. It is a delicious food that you can incorporate in your diet. It is an ideal sweet treat to satisfy your sweet cravings. All you need is to eat in moderate amounts. So, on some days you can add strawberries to your meal in place of other fruits.
Strawberries is a healthy way to satiate your sweet cravings for high-GI foods. It is low calorie, and low GI food that you can even consume with other low-GI, and diabetic friendly foods like blue berries, raspberries, nuts, seeds, etc. It will make it a healthier meal for you.
When eating strawberries, it is advised to be eaten raw, and whole. Eating it in the form of ice cream, fruit juices, puddings etc. is unsafe of a diabetic as it can cause a spike in the overall level of sugar content in the blood stream.
Strawberries and Glycemic Index
When you are deciding on which fruits to consume, and which to avoid or limit, then it is important to know their Glycemic Index. You should know that this index measures how quickly the carbs in your food causes the blood glucose to increase. It does not consider the nutritional content of your food.
Diabetics are generally advised to eat low glycemic foods, and low-glycemic fruits. Strawberries are a low-glycemic food that doesn’t increase the sugar levels in the blood abruptly. You can easily consume them without worrying about rise in blood glucose levels.
Nutritional content of Strawberries
Strawberries is healthy as it provides you low calories. One medium-sized cup of it provides around 46 calories to them. When you maintain a healthy weight, you can easily lower blood glucose naturally. It will also assist you in lowering the possibilities of complications in diabetes.
Fiber
Strawberries are a rich source of fiber. A single cup of fresh, and whole strawberries provides around 3 grams of fiber that constitutes to 12% of the daily recommended intake. When you consume fiber, the digestion, and absorption of sugar present in the food slows down. The rich amount of fiber, enhances blood sugar level. It also keeps you fuller for a longer time. This helps in contributing towards healthy management of weight in a person.
Minerals, and Vitamins
Another important benefit of eating this fruit is that it has good amounts of magnesium, and vitamin C in it. Where magnesium improves insulin resistance, it also lowers the risk associated with Type 2 diabetes. It is a great way to control the difficult symptoms of diabetes.
Vitamin C also has the power to lower possibilities of developing type 2 diabetes. It can reduce the possibilities of abrupt spike in the blood glucose after meals. The high antioxidants present in it can diminish specific complications related to diabetes, like high blood pressure.
Slow-Releasing Carbs
The carbohydrates present in this fruit has the ability to release slowly in your body that does not cause steep rise in the blood glucose levels.
Low Carb Content
Another key benefit of eating this fruit is that it has got low amounts of carbohydrates, when compared to other fruits. A generous one cup serving of this fruit provides only eleven grams of carbohydrates. This amount is less when compared to carbs content present in other fruits. This low level of slow-digesting carbs does not cause any sudden raise in the sugar levels of a person.
Antioxidant Benefits
Strawberries have good amounts of antioxidants in it. These are natural compounds that are present in vegetables, and fruits. It safeguards your body against acute ailments like heart diseases, diabetes, etc.
Also read: Can I eat strawberries at night?
Conclusion
It is beneficial to include strawberries and other types of fruits in your healthy, and balanced diet. Strawberries have got low calories and plenty of fiber, antioxidants, and other important nutrients. The only important thing that you should remember is to eat it in moderate amounts, and in combination to other low-GI, and protein rich foods such as leafy greens, whole grains, and lean proteins. It will keep your blood sugar levels in control.
