5 Worst Fruits To Eat For Diabetics With High Sugar Content

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023

For individuals living with diabetes, managing their diet is of paramount importance. While fruits are often hailed as a healthy and natural source of nutrients, they can also pose challenges for those with diabetes. The sugar content in fruits, primarily in the form of natural sugars like fructose, can affect blood glucose levels. Therefore, it’s essential for people with diabetes to be mindful of their fruit choices. In this article, we’ll explore some of the worst fruits for diabetics, shedding light on those that may cause rapid blood sugar spikes and the reasons behind their impact on diabetes management. Understanding these fruits can help individuals make more informed dietary decisions and better control their blood sugar levels.

Fruits to Avoid in Diabetes

It is strange that we are discussing the worst fruits for diabetes patients. However, the National Centre of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends keeping fruits as part of a diabetes diet. The interesting thing here to note is that all fruits not good for diabetes patients. There is a whole diabetes fruits to avoid list. Some reports suggest consuming fruits and veggies lowers the chances of heart ailments in diabetes patients. 

However, there are many fruits which have high amounts of natural sugar. To avoid those fruits, patients with diabetes and prediabetes fruits to avoid list should be prepared. These fruits, when consumed, will bring abrupt spikes in sugar levels, which isn’t ideal for diabetics. However, there is some difference in the type of sugar found in fruits and chocolate. This blog will explore such differences and reveal all types of fruits to avoid if you have diabetes.

Not all fruits are to be excluded from your diabetes diet. Many studies, including one in 2017, reveal consuming fruits can help in controlling and preventing diabetes. The following are the fruits to avoid in diabetes:

Read More: 16 Best Fruits Juice For Diabetes.

Fruits with High Sugar Content

When we talk of fruits to avoid if diabetic, we talk of fruits with high glycemic profiles, the glycemic index scale is a scale of 1 to 100. This scale depicts how a food will impact your blood sugar. The higher the glycemic value, the greater the spike it’ll bring in your sugar level. The worst fruits for diabetics are those that score around 65 and higher on the glycemic scale. 

High Glycemic Fruits Diabetic Patients Should Avoid

Now, we will reveal some high glycemic fruits to avoid. Interestingly, these will also largely be fruits not to be eaten by diabetic patients. 

Along with being fruits diabetic patients should avoid note these are also fruits for prediabetes to avoid. However, these bad fruits for diabetics are only to be avoided and not completely restricted. One can eat these in measured amounts as part of a balanced diet plan. However, on a regular basis, avoid these fruits not suitable for diabetics. Rather, consume fruits with low GI scores that don’t shoot up your blood sugar. Consider other fruits that have low to medium scores on the glycemic index scale.

Read More: Top 6 Dry Fruits For Diabetics.

5 Worst Fruits To Eat for Diabetics

5 worst fruits for diabetics to eat

1. Mango 

When talking of fruits not eaten in diabetes, mango occupies the position at the top. There are many reasons behind it. Mangoes are naturally high in sugar, primarily fructose. This type of sugar consumption causes immediate spikes in blood glucose when eaten in significant quantities. The second reason for mangoes being on the list of fruits diabetics should avoid is their high GI (glycemic index) and glycemic load (GL). As explained above, high GI foods are not good for diabetes patients. In some cases, consuming large amounts of mangoes may even interfere with diabetes medications and insulin. Thus potentially leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

2. Jackfruit

Next on the list of fruits should not be taken by diabetic patients is jackfruit. Jackfruit is a popular fruit in India consumed both in raw and ripe form. The glycemic profile of jackfruit is moderate to high, depending on its ripeness and preparation. And high GI fruits can cause abrupt increases in blood sugar. Therefore, they should be considered as the worst fruits for prediabetes and diabetes. Moreover, jackfruit is relatively high in carbs, particularly natural sugars. Consuming these carbs can lead to spikes in your sugar levels. 

3. Banana

Now, on the list of fruits to avoid with prediabetes and diabetes comes bananas. Bananas are abundant in natural sugars, primarily glucose and fructose. Secondly, bananas have a high glycemic profile of 62. Plus, it also has a high glycemic load, making it among the fruits diabetics should avoid. This means they can cause a quick and significant increase in blood sugar. Ripe bananas have less fiber, making it easier for sugar to be absorbed quickly.

4. Pineapple

Now, on the list of fruits to avoid type 2 diabetes patients is pineapple. Pineapple is naturally sweet and contains sugars, particularly fructose. This can increase your sugar level. When considering the worst fruits for diabetics, what we see is the glycemic profile. Pineapple has a moderate to high GI, meaning it can cause an abrupt rise in your sugar levels. Moreover, pineapple is relatively high in carbohydrates, which can affect blood sugar. One cup of pineapple contains around 21 grams of carbs.

5. Dried Dehydrated Fruits

In the list of fruits for diabetics to eat and avoid dried fruits come next. Dried fruits are more densely concentrated in sugar and calories than their fresh counterparts. Prime examples of dried fruits are raisins, dates, figs, dehydrated berries, etc. Moreover, these dried fruits are often coated with preservatives and sugar coating. These further make these dried fruits to avoid during diabetes. Therefore, it’s essential to watch portion sizes when consuming these dried fruits.

Read More: How to Stop Sugar Craving Naturally?

Fruits With High Carbs Content

Many researches have suggested that the impact of eating carbs is the highest on blood sugar. So, the worst fruits to eat for diabetics will have a high carb content. But there are many fruits that have low carb content, which can be included in your diet. The table below compares healthy fruits with sugary products and also includes fruits not good for diabetic patients.

The table compares a few of the best and worst fruits for diabetics and also some sugary foods. You can see the carb content of fruits to avoid in prediabetes and diabetes, like bananas, raisins, etc., have higher carb presence.

Other Forms of Fruits Diabetic Patients Should Avoid

Apart from all fruits to avoid if diabetic, as explained above, there are other forms of fruits not suitable for diabetics. They are as follows:

Fruit Juices

Fruit juices are surely marketed as a healthy beverage that everyone can drink. However, the reality of these fruit juices is very different. While there are only some fruits to stay away from with diabetes when considering fruit juices, all juices are to be avoided. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drinking fruit juices can spike your sugar levels. The top reason why juices of fruits not recommended for diabetics is that fruit juices lack fiber content. When eating whole fruit, you consume its fiber as well. Dietary fiber delays the absorption rate of sugar, which eliminates the chances of a blood sugar spike. When these fruits are turned into juices, all the fiber content gets dished out.

Moreover, a research paper in 2013 studied how regular consumption of fruits and juices contributes to the development of full-scale diabetes. The paper showed how consuming whole fruits would lessen the chances of having diabetes in adults. People who consume more fruit juice have a higher chance of developing diabetes. Also, some studies have shown how eating low-GI fruits lessens the chances of heart ailments in diabetics. 

Packaged Fruits

Packed fruits are actually one of the worst fruits for diabetes patients. There are multiple reasons behind it. First is packed fruits that contain preservatives to increase their shelf life. These preservatives impact badly on your body. Secondly, packaged fruits often contain artificial sugar coatings to make them tastier. These add extra calories and increase the risk of sugar spikes upon consumption.

Read More: Is Cranberry Juice Good for Diabetics?

Conclusion

In the complex landscape of diabetes management, knowledge is power. When it comes to fruit consumption, understanding which fruits to consume in moderation or avoid altogether is crucial. While the fruits mentioned in this article may be considered the “worst” for diabetics due to their higher sugar content, it’s essential to remember that individual responses to fruits can vary. Personalised dietary choices, regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, and consultation with your doctor are key to successfully managing diabetes.

As we conclude our exploration of the worst fruits for diabetics, it’s important to emphasize that moderation is often the key. Many fruits can still be enjoyed in limited quantities, and there are various strategies available to help mitigate their impact on blood sugar levels. With the right knowledge and a balanced approach to fruit consumption, individuals with diabetes can maintain a healthy lifestyle while savouring the natural sweetness of fruit without compromising their well-being.

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