Can I Eat Fruit Since I have Type 2 Diabetes?

Answer

 Fruits should not be restricted by diabetics. There is a misconception that the naturally occurring sugar in fruits is “bad” for diabetic patients. However, fruits and vegetables can actually help manage blood sugar levels better than many other foods such as white (enriched) rice or bread. When you eat a fruit or vegetable, your blood sugar level is minimally affected (for most fruits and vegetables). This is due to their soluble fiber.

Typically, all fruits can be worked into a meal plan for diabetes, but since they do contain carbohydrates (natural sugars), the portions need to be controlled. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has some resources for meal planning.  You should work with your diabetes educator or a registered dietitian nutritionist for a specific meal plan to determine how much carbohydrate you need.