Are strawberries good for diabetics?

The cost of fluctuating blood sugar can be too high. In an extreme situation, it can also be life-threatening. There are medications prescribed by doctors that help persons with diabetes manage their sugar levels but one of the prime contributing factors is the food consumed. Food items that have high starch, carbohydrate, or sugar content should be strictly moderated or avoided. Most people believe that fruits are not suitable for people with inconsistent sugar levels but that is not true. There are some fruits like strawberries, and other citrus berries, that can work wonders. If you find yourself asking are strawberries good for diabetics, below is the answer! Also know how to get freedom from diabetes.

Is strawberry good for diabetes?

Yes strawberry is good for diabetes. People with diabetes frequently strive to consume foods with a low glycemic load, including low-glycemic fruits. Strawberries fit into this category because they do not quickly raise glucose levels. You can consume them without fear of a blood sugar spike. Knowing the glycemic load of various foods is beneficial.

Strawberry has been referred to as a people with diabetes superfood due to its ideal nutritive content. Popping a strawberry in any form, whether it is in juice, frozen, or simply just like that, strawberries are definitely good for people with diabetes. However, there are a few things to remember.

Strawberry without any additions or accompaniments is what is recommended. Canned, sweetened, preserved, jams, ice creams, and packaged milkshakes are not recommended to be consumed. Strawberry flavored items should also be avoided. For example, only strawberries are great but strawberries coated with chocolate should be avoided. Also know about diabetes treatment.

Most rules of the diet are the same for gestational diabetes as well. If you’re wondering, is strawberry good for diabetes, then the answer is yes! It is good for People with diabetes because it is low-glycemic fruits. Strawberries fall into this category, as the fruit doesn't quickly raise glucose levels. You can eat them without worrying about a blood sugar spike. Also read about which fruit is good for diabetes.

How much sugar is in strawberries? (strawberry sugar content)

One cup of sliced strawberries (166 g) contains 8 grams of sugar. Sugar content in strawberries are surprisingly low, given how sweet and delicious they are, also they are one of the best sources for vitamin C.

Benefits of Strawberry for diabetes

Strawberries are one of the fruits that should be included in your diet to maintain a balanced and healthy diet. Strawberries are low in calories and high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Here are the benefits of eating strawberries for diabetics:-

• High in fibre – It is common knowledge that foods high in fibre often make the person feel fuller and that in turn prevents you from overeating. The fibre in strawberries slows down the absorption of sugar and allows the body to absorb it a little at a time to avoid a sharp surge. Strawberries can be had as a snack during the day and between meals. One of the ways to control the blood sugar level is to ensure your weight is in the recommended range. Strawberries are a great way to do that.
• Low in calories – Popularly a part of the people with diabetes superfood group, strawberries are low in calories. One cup of strawberries has approximately 46 calories. That is why it is recommended that this fruit be included in your diet as it does more good than harm. This means that once this fruit is consumed, you do not have to worry about your blood sugar level rising.
• Vitamins and minerals – Few of the important nutritive components of strawberries are vitamin C and magnesium. Vitamin C contains antioxidants that help regulate blood sugar by avoiding blood sugar spikes after meals as well. Antioxidants also help reduce blood pressure which can be a side effect of diabetes.
• Satisfy sweet tooth – Strawberries have a naturally sweet taste that can satisfy sweet cravings that cannot be satiated by candies and cakes. Since people having diabetes cannot indulge in sugary things, it is wise to find healthier substitutes. 
• Versatile fruit – Strawberries are great for including in breakfast, mid-day snacks, and desserts.  A smoothie or a dessert with yogurt and strawberry can taste great. They can taste great with cereal, chia, and many other options. Also know about sugar diet chart.

Strawberry glycemic index or GI of strawberries

The glycemic index is a value assigned to foods based on how they affect blood sugar levels. Foods with a higher glycemic index indicate that the carbohydrates or sugars of that particular food get absorbed in the bloodstream quickly leading to a sudden sugar spike in the blood. People with diabetes should avoid food with a high glycemic index. The glycemic index of strawberry is 41.

Although the glycemic index is a good indication of what the food contains, it leaves out other nutritive values and does not present a whole picture. If you choose to ignore certain foods due to their glycemic index you may lose out on the good nutrients as well. At the same time, one of the reasons for diabetes can be the weight of the person is towards the higher side. That is why fatty foods should be avoided but the glycemic index of the food does not consider the fats at all. So, whether you are thinking is strawberry in diabetes is good or thinking about any fruit or vegetable, you should first look at the glycemic index and then look at the other nutritive values too. Know about fruit for diabetes.

Healthy eating

Eating healthy does not mean shunning one form of nutrition. It means having a balanced meal and controlling the portions of food items. All parts of food including carbohydrates and fats are essential. The trick is to distinguish between the ones that are beneficial and the ones that are harmful. For example, if you are wondering, “Can people with diabetes eat strawberry?”, then you must consider all the nutritive qualities of strawberries that can affect this disorder. Know about gestational diabetes treatment.

Making small adjustments can also help you eat healthily. Here are a few tips.

• Avoid adding sugar to your strawberry juice and enjoy the natural sweetness of the fruit. This also means avoiding having packaged juice and having fresh juice.
• No matter how much you love it, you should not eat a lot of it together. Make portions for yourself depending on your consumption of other foods.
• The inclusion of this delicious fruit in your diet is great but you should do so after you are sure of how your body reacts to the sugars in this particular fruit. The insulin sensitivity of each body is different.
• If given a choice, it is always better to go for the whole fruit than just the juice as you end up eliminating the fibrous components when you have just the juice. Also know more about diabetes diet chart.

How many strawberries can a diabetic eat?

As is the case with any form of diabetes, portion control is key. Even with strawberries, it would be vital to only consume a moderate amount of the fruit. If you have diabetes you can safely enjoy a 1¼-cup serving. Since they are low in calories, a woman with gestational diabetes can have ½ cup of strawberries without the risk of high blood sugar.

Risks of overconsumption of strawberry

• Digestive issues
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Reflux and bloating

Strawberries have many health advantages, but consuming them in excess might have a lot of negative effects. Strawberries have a high vitamin C content as well as a large amount of citric and malic acids. Since strawberries contain acidic particles, these particles leak gastric acids along the stomach wall. Furthermore, bloating, diarrhoea, and heartburn may result from this. So, it is advised to eat no more than 7 to 8 strawberries each day.

Healthy Strawberry Recipes

Strawberries can be included in a lot of dishes without much hassle. 

1. Parfait – Get chunks of this fruit and combine them with a non-fat yogurt to get a lovely parfait. 
2. Puddings – Add chunks to chia pudding or add the fresh puree to milk and set it to get cold and yummy pudding. 
3. Smoothie – If you are a smoothies fan, then add strawberries to your blender and make a lovely mix. 
4. Popsicles – Freeze strawberry juice and enjoy a refreshing popsicle!
5. Drinks – Add muddled strawberries to your summer drinks like lemonade to add a zing to them. You can also make a strawberry mojito by adding mint leaves, and lemon to a glass of strawberry juice.

Nutritional value of Strawberry

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 cup of sliced, fresh strawberries (166 g) contains the following nutrients:

• calories - 53 calories
• protein - 1.11 g
• Sugar - 8 g
• carbohydrates - 12.7 g
• dietary fiber - 3.30 g
• calcium - 27 milligrams (mg)
• iron - 0.68 mg
• magnesium - 22 mg
• phosphorus - 40 mg
• potassium - 254 mg
• vitamin C - 97.60 mg
• folate - 40 micrograms
• vitamin A - 20 international units

‍Bottomline

Strawberries are well-loved by most people. People rarely look at the nutritive goodness of this fruit. The ease of availability of this fruit is another reason it is so popular. Although you will find the juiciest strawberries close to winter, the months before and after are not so bad either.

FAQs

Are strawberries bad for you?

Strawberries are beneficial to the entire body. They naturally provide vitamins, fibre, and especially high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols – all while containing no sodium, fat, or cholesterol. They rank among the top 20 fruits in terms of antioxidant capacity and are high in manganese and potassium.

Is strawberry good for gestational diabetes?

The aim to deal with gestational diabetes would be to keep it under control as much as possible so that there are no long-term complications for the mother or the baby. Strawberries fall into the category of low-moderate glycemic index group making them a healthy food to eat without raising blood sugar levels greatly.

Does strawberry have sugar?

Yes, 1 cup of sliced, fresh strawberries (166 g) contains 8 grams of sugar.

Does strawberries raise blood sugar?

Strawberries have a GI of 41 and the glycemic load for about ½ cup of strawberries would be 4. This amount of strawberries would provide a person with about 44 calories. All of these factors together contribute to making it a low-calorie fruit that will not cause any spikes in the overall blood sugar levels. 

Are strawberries high in sugar?

No, although strawberries are very sweet & tasty, they are surprisingly low in sugar. Around 8 grams of sugar is present in 1 cup of sliced strawberries (166 g).

Are strawberries bad for diabetics?

People with diabetes frequently strive to consume foods with a low glycemic load, such as low-glycemic fruits. Strawberries fit into this category because they do not quickly raise glucose levels. You can consume them without fear of a blood sugar spike.

What does strawberry do for the body?

Strawberries are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help lower the risk of serious health problems such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. It's also a good source of: Magnesium.

Are strawberries low glycemic?

Strawberry has a glycemic index of 41, placing this red-colored, mouthwatering berry in the low GI category. It is not only high in antioxidants, but it is also high in fibre and vitamin C, making it a wholesome nutritious fruit.

Are strawberries low in sugar?

Yes, strawberries are very low in sugar. One cup of raw strawberries contains approximately 7 g of sugar and more than 100% of the daily vitamin C requirement.

Is strawberry good for weight loss?

According to studies, adiponectin and leptin are two crucial hormones that are produced when strawberries are consumed. Both of these hormones promote metabolism and aid in fat burning.