CAN A PERSON WITH DIABETES EAT BANANAS?
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This delightful tropical fruit is part of a myth in relation to whether people with diabetes may or may not eat. Once more we repeat: A person with diabetes can eat fruits without any problem, even enjoy a banana.
THE KEY IS IN SERVING SIZE!
Important organizations worldwide , including the American Diabetes Association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the British Association of Diabetes UK recommend it as a safe and beneficial fruit for diabetics within a diet plan that consider the distribution of fruits throughout the day and take care of their portion sizes.
Being naturally free of cholesterol , fat and sodium , high in potassium , fiber , manganese, vitamins B6 and C , bananas are perfect for when considering a serving of it.
An amount of fruit that contains 15 grams of sugar is generally considered a serving. In the case of the Banana, we’ll give you the nutritional facts for half and a full serving , so that you can develop an idea of the amount that represents a portion :
• Half cup of sliced bananas: 8 g of sugar, 2 to 2.5 g of fiber and approximately 68 calories .
• Medium-sized banana : measuring at approximately the length of a pencil (7 inches or about 18 cm ), it contains 15 g of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 105 calories .
Glycemic Index of a Banana
The glycemic index varies according to the maturity of the banana. The more mature, the higher the glycemic index. This is because as the fruit matures, the containing starch ( complex carbohydrate ) is transformed into sugar. A ripe banana with a completely yellow bark , has a glycemic index of 52 ( low glycemic ) and is perfect for consumption.
Health Benefits of Bananas
As discussed above, the Banana is an excellent source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C , fiber, potassium, copper , magnesium and manganese.
Still, other benefits include:
• It contains tryptophan , a protein that is converted into serotonin in the body . That latter contributes to the feeling of relaxation, improves mood and makes us feel good.
• It has small amounts of antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage and have anti-aging effect : Lutein , zexantina ( zea – xanthin ) and carotenes .
• It has a kind of anticancer agents (cancer fighter) , known as lectins .
Finally, we recommend to always keep Bananas at room temperature, as it is the best way to keep them fresh .
Now you know , someone with diabetes can eat Bananas. 3 servings per week within a well-balanced food plan will allow you to enjoy this excellent fruit without problems! more
Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on linkedinShare on emailShare on pinterest_shareShare on google_plusone_share
This delightful tropical fruit is part of a myth in relation to whether people with diabetes may or may not eat. Once more we repeat: A person with diabetes can eat fruits without any problem, even enjoy a banana.
THE KEY IS IN SERVING SIZE!
Important organizations worldwide , including the American Diabetes Association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the British Association of Diabetes UK recommend it as a safe and beneficial fruit for diabetics within a diet plan that consider the distribution of fruits throughout the day and take care of their portion sizes.
Being naturally free of cholesterol , fat and sodium , high in potassium , fiber , manganese, vitamins B6 and C , bananas are perfect for when considering a serving of it.
An amount of fruit that contains 15 grams of sugar is generally considered a serving. In the case of the Banana, we’ll give you the nutritional facts for half and a full serving , so that you can develop an idea of the amount that represents a portion :
• Half cup of sliced bananas: 8 g of sugar, 2 to 2.5 g of fiber and approximately 68 calories .
• Medium-sized banana : measuring at approximately the length of a pencil (7 inches or about 18 cm ), it contains 15 g of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 105 calories .
Glycemic Index of a Banana
The glycemic index varies according to the maturity of the banana. The more mature, the higher the glycemic index. This is because as the fruit matures, the containing starch ( complex carbohydrate ) is transformed into sugar. A ripe banana with a completely yellow bark , has a glycemic index of 52 ( low glycemic ) and is perfect for consumption.
Health Benefits of Bananas
As discussed above, the Banana is an excellent source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C , fiber, potassium, copper , magnesium and manganese.
Still, other benefits include:
• It contains tryptophan , a protein that is converted into serotonin in the body . That latter contributes to the feeling of relaxation, improves mood and makes us feel good.
• It has small amounts of antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage and have anti-aging effect : Lutein , zexantina ( zea – xanthin ) and carotenes .
• It has a kind of anticancer agents (cancer fighter) , known as lectins .
Finally, we recommend to always keep Bananas at room temperature, as it is the best way to keep them fresh .
Now you know , someone with diabetes can eat Bananas. 3 servings per week within a well-balanced food plan will allow you to enjoy this excellent fruit without problems! more
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Dr Chandra, I am afraid your statement that these fruits can be taken in moderation is contrary to what a Diabetologist/dietician would recommend for a Diabetic patient.I have talked to some Diabetologist and they do NOT recommend the consumption of the above on regular basis.Sparingly is OK. Given below is the extract from an article by Dr. Christian Chandra in Ezine While diabetics are encouraged to eat fruits, there are still exceptions. Diabetics are advised to consume those with low to medium glycemic index or sugar content. Some fruits like mangoes, grapes, bananas, and custard apples should be eaten sparingly or even avoided due to their high sugar content. Other fruits that have high sugar content include watermelon, apricots, kiwis, pineapple, and papaya. On the other hand, fruits with high glycemic indexes can be consumed in small portions and less frequently. Dried fruits such as dried cherries, cranberries, pears, apricots, peaches, and raisins can be consumed in small quantities. You must make sure that the dried fruits do not contain too much additional sugar and are processed organically. Dried figs and dates, however, should be avoided since both contain very high levels of sugar. Diabetics are also allowed to consume fruit juices. However, they are advised to avoid those that contain additional sweeteners such as corn syrup or sugar. Opt for fresh juices instead of the processed ones since the latter usually contain more sugar and smaller percentage of real juice. Consume fresh grapefruit, prune, or orange juice in small portions. Avoid the consumption of pineapple and grape juices since they are high in sugar. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6441631 more
Jan 19
Banana, potatoes, sweetpotatoes and mango have such nutrition value that if taken in moderation are beneficial for all including diabetics. more
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