Can I eat pineapple if I have diabetes?
Can I eat pineapple if I have diabetes?
General diabetes management advice includes eating a healthy and balanced diet, keeping track of the food they eat and doing regular physical exercise. But how does a sweet tasting fruit like pineapple fit into a healthy diet if you have diabetes?
Contrary to popular belief, people with diabetes can eat pineapple! In fact, you can eat any food! However, it is important to make sure that it fits within your overall dietary and diabetes management strategy.
Sugar Content
When it comes to diet, fresh food is great (including fruit!). Fruits can be high in natural sugars though. This means it’s both important to eat it in moderation and to be aware of its impact on your blood glucose levels. For example, one cup of pineapple chunks contains 16.3g of sugar! This could lead to a spike in blood glucose when digested.
Glycemic Index
In terms of GI (Glycemic Index), pineapple usually falls between 51 and 73. This is towards the higher end meaning that the carbohydrates in pineapple are broken down by the body quite quickly. Some pineapples could be even higher than this. Dried pineapple slices or pineapple products with added sugar will have a higher sugar density. Bear this in mind and opt for a smaller serving.
The Verdict
As with most foods, the key to including pineapple in your diet is moderation. Speak to a dietician about how to include pineapple as a part of a balanced diet. Go for fresh pineapple or canned pineapple without added sugar and rinse off any sugary syrup surrounding the fruit.
For help monitoring your blood glucose, use one of our BGMs with the Rightest Care App. In the app you can add records of what you eat and observe how it affects you. That goes for scrumptious pineapple too!
