Strawberries in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Beautiful and juicy strawberries leave no one indifferent. Throughout the berry season, we try to get our fill of ripe, aromatic fruits, because this period is so fleeting. And if eating berries is good for healthy people, is strawberry allowed for diabetes?

What berries are allowed to be eaten by people with diabetes?

The fruits of berry bushes and fruit trees are the main suppliers of vitamin and mineral components for the body. For people suffering from diabetes, it is important that such useful compounds are supplied constantly and in sufficient quantities. Vitamins present in berry and fruit pulp improve the functioning of the immune system and facilitate the function of the pancreas. In addition, many of them help to reduce or normalize the sugar content in the bloodstream, as they provide a new portion of insulin to the circulatory system.

Eating enough fiber is another necessity for diabetes. It is fiber that helps to “drive out” “bad” cholesterol from the body, stabilize sugar levels, and prevent the development of obesity.

Which berries are allowed for patients with diabetes? These are blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants and even strawberries. All the berries listed have a low glycemic level and in adequate quantities will not harm a sick person. But we must not forget that any plant products are preferably consumed fresh, not heat-treated. In addition, you cannot add honey to them and, especially, sugar.

What fruits can you eat with diabetes? You can add apples, pears, apricots, oranges and grapefruits, kiwis and lemons to your diet. These fruits will not cause a significant drop in glucose levels, so they will not harm a person with diabetes. Of course, the amounts eaten should remain reasonable, and even the permitted apples should not be eaten in kilograms.

Is it possible to eat strawberries if you have type 1 and 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is usually divided into two variants of the course: type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes, and type 2, or insulin-independent diabetes. Insulin-dependent pathology was previously called "juvenile", since it mainly affects people aged 20-35. Type 2 diabetes is considered more common, this type affects many people of different age categories.

The principles of nutrition for type 1 and type 2 diabetes are mostly similar. First of all, this is the exclusion of so-called fast carbohydrates in the form of sugar and sweets. However, it is impossible to completely give up carbohydrates, because this is a necessary component of normal metabolism. Patients with diabetes are recommended to replenish glucose reserves by eating certain types of fruits and berries, including strawberries.

For some expectant mothers, the question of whether strawberries can be included in the menu for diabetes is also urgent. We are talking about women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes - a disorder that appears during pregnancy and safely disappears after the birth of the baby. The reason for this disorder is a decrease in the sensitivity of cellular structures to insulin, which is explained by a sharp jump in hormonal levels. After the birth of the child, the blood glucose level usually stabilizes, but there is a certain risk of the gestational form of the disease turning into full-fledged type 2 diabetes. To prevent this transformation, it is very important to adhere to a special diet. In addition, a diet is also needed during the period of gestation, so as not to harm or disrupt the intrauterine growth and development of the future baby.

Women with gestational diabetes are allowed to eat strawberries, but in small quantities, about 400 g per day. It is very important that the berries are fresh and do not contain nitrates or other toxic substances, so it is better to choose strawberries that are absolutely safe.

As you can see, strawberries will only bring benefits to diabetes, provided they are consumed correctly in moderate quantities. Even healthy people who do not suffer from endocrine pathologies and diabetes should not abuse berries or include unripe or suspicious-looking strawberries in their diet.

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Strawberries for high sugar

Endocrinologists advise adding strawberries to the diet with high blood sugar, since this berry contains a large number of important components that are essential for a sick organism. What beneficial qualities can strawberries boast of for diabetes?

• Strengthens the immune system.
• Improves the condition of blood vessels.
• Prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
• Improves blood properties, prevents thrombosis.
• Stabilizes blood pressure.

A large set of antioxidants present in strawberries accelerates metabolic processes at the cellular level, prevents intracellular accumulation of toxic substances, regulates sugar levels. If you eat strawberries regularly with diabetes, you can help reduce body weight, optimize bowel function, and improve the absorption capacity of the small intestinal mucosa.

In addition, strawberries are a strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. This property is important for patients suffering from diabetes, as they have a slowdown in regenerative processes, and even minor tissue damage can transform into a long-term sluggish wound.

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Benefits and harms of strawberries for diabetes

Restrictive changes in nutrition are one of the mandatory conditions that a patient with diabetes must follow. However, strawberries are not included in the list of prohibited products for diabetes, as they are more sour and less sweet berries, with a low glycemic index.

There is evidence that strawberries can help stabilize blood glucose levels in diabetes. This is not surprising, since one small cup of berries contains at least 3 grams of fiber.

Strawberries are low in calories and contain an average of 45 kcal per 100 g. After eating just one glass of berries, you can get at least 11 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. Among other things, strawberries can "boast" a high content of ascorbic and folic acid, B-group vitamins, as well as many minerals, including magnesium and potassium, phosphorus and iron, iodine and calcium, zinc, cobalt, selenium, etc.

A wide range of useful components allows you to protect the body at the cellular level, improve the course of oxidative processes. And the high content of polyphenols (dietary fiber) delays the absorption of glucose in the digestive system, which contributes to a smoother and more gradual increase in blood sugar levels, without intense surges.

In what cases should you still be careful about adding strawberries to your diet?

Experts do not recommend eating berries on an empty stomach if you have diabetes, especially if you have problems with the digestive tract, such as hyperacid gastritis, peptic ulcer, or gastroduodenitis. You should also be careful if the patient has diabetes combined with urolithiasis, cystitis, or gout. In addition, you should take into account the high allergenic capacity of strawberries: if the patient suffers from hypersensitivity and a tendency to allergic reactions, it is advisable to minimize the consumption of strawberries.

Wild strawberries for diabetes

The wild berry is no less tasty and healthy than its garden relative. In diabetes, such components as dietary fiber prevent fluctuations in blood sugar levels, speed up metabolism and stimulate the elimination of toxins. The biological composition of wild strawberries is quite rich: the fruits are represented by sugars, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, carotene, thiamine, pectins, tannins and flavonoids, organic acids and essential oils, phytoncides. The pulp also contains iron phosphate, manganese, copper, chromium and aluminum.

The necessary fiber and other useful components of wild strawberries easily cope with the wrong sugar balance, control its excess. The point is that in the digestive system, thanks to dietary fiber, glucose loses the ability to easily penetrate into the bloodstream. Therefore, the increase in sugar levels occurs slowly, without sharp changes.

The antioxidant components present in wild strawberries protect the membranes of cellular structures from oxidation, and the antiseptic effect inherent in the berry accelerates the healing of various tissue injuries, including wounds and ulcers.

For diabetics, it is recommended to eat wild strawberries in the amount of 100 g per day.

What can replace strawberries for diabetes?

Strawberries for diabetes should be consumed as a snack between breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner. You should not eat berries in the morning instead of breakfast, on an empty stomach.

It is better to eat strawberries fresh, and in no case in the form of jam or preserves. This is prohibited for diabetics. It is allowed to add 100 ml of natural yogurt or fermented baked milk, or a handful of ground nuts to the berries.

Since fresh strawberries are not available all year round, in the off-season they can be replaced with other berries and fruits, for example:

• Blueberries are another berry recommended for patients with diabetes (not only the fruits, but also the leaves of the plant can be used for treatment, for making infusions and herbal teas). Blueberries successfully cope with the correction of sugar balance in the bloodstream, suitable for patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Among the beneficial properties of the berry, the following can be especially highlighted:
  • strengthening of blood vessels (including eye vessels);
  • cleansing of the skin;
  • restoration of pancreas function;
  • improvement of metabolic processes.

In addition to vitamins and microelements, blueberries contain glycosides and astringents.

• Watermelon - it is allowed for patients with diabetes, but in small quantities. For example, it is allowed to eat 300 g of watermelon three times a day (it turns out no more than a kilogram per day). However, you cannot eat the entire kilogram at one time, since watermelon pulp has a fairly high glycemic index, which can lead to a sharp increase in blood sugar levels. With diabetes, so-called watermelon mono-diets, which are very popular during the melon season, are prohibited. Moreover, with the appearance of watermelons on the shelves, they should be introduced into the diet gradually, starting with 200 g per day. Daily consumption of aromatic pulp will help to improve the digestive system, improve metabolism, and strengthen the immune system.
• Cherries are tasty and juicy berries that are recommended for consumption by patients suffering from diabetes type 1 or 2. Cherries can be eaten fresh or frozen for long-term storage. The composition of the berries is truly medicinal:
  • ellagic acid, which inhibits the development of cancer cells;
  • anthocyanidins, which remove uric acid from the body and also improve the production of insulin by the pancreas;
  • tannins that help strengthen blood vessels and improve cardiac function;
  • rich vitamin and mineral composition (ascorbic acid, fluorine, potassium, calcium, iron, chromium, etc.).

It is not recommended to eat more than 100 g of cherries at one sitting to avoid a sharp increase in glucose levels in the bloodstream. The optimal daily number of sittings is no more than three times. Cherries and strawberries for diabetes during the season should be consumed daily, primarily because they contain substances that help prevent blood clots. Diabetes is characterized by high blood viscosity and the risk of blood clots. Therefore, to avoid complications, it is necessary to include these berries in the daily menu.

• Raspberries are especially recommended for type 2 diabetes - you can eat them fresh, frozen or dried. Raspberries contain a sufficient amount of fruit acids that accelerate carbohydrate metabolism, and thus normalize blood glucose levels. In addition to acids, raspberries contain dietary fiber, vitamins (A, E, PP, C), phytosterols, mineral components, choline, tannin, pectin, essential oils. In addition to accelerating metabolic processes, raspberries improve thermoregulation and strengthen the immune system. For diabetes, you can eat half a glass of fresh raspberries three times a day, or 1 tbsp. dried berries (you can brew and drink them like tea).

Raspberries and strawberries are recommended for diabetes by nutritionists and endocrinologists. These berries have a pronounced antioxidant effect and slow down pathological processes in the body, support and restore tissues - including the pancreas, which is primarily responsible for insulin production.

• Apples are not only allowed for diabetics, but also recommended for consumption. It is apples that are able to maintain a stable level of sugar in the bloodstream for a long time, preventing periodic "jumps" and drops. In addition, apple fruits are optimal sources of pectin and iron. Only to obtain a therapeutic effect, you should not peel apples, since it contains the necessary antioxidants that help normalize the condition of a diabetic patient. You just need to rinse the fruit well under running warm water (of course, for consumption it is better to choose "your" apples, and not products from the supermarket, which are treated with silicone and other agents).

Strawberries have excellent taste and aroma qualities. And, in addition, it is recommended for patients suffering from diabetes of different types. Both fresh and frozen fruits provide the body with the necessary fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Research has proven that strawberries for diabetes are an important natural product that can be safely included in the diet.