Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition which happens when the level of sugar in the blood is too high.
If left untreated, diabetes can cause serious complications involving the heart, eyes, nerves and kidneys.
However, problems can be avoided by treating and keeping the condition under control.
While people with diabetes don’t have to completely cut sugar from their diet, they should limit the amount they consume.
One easy diet swap to make is replacing fruit juice with the whole fruit.
All fruits contain natural sugar, but they are also packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre.
It’s therefore still important to include fruit in the diet, even if trying to cut down on sugar.
“Although we know fruits and vegetables are good for us people with diabetes are often told they can’t eat fruit because they are too sweet or contain sugar,” said Diabetes UK.
“All fruits contain natural sugar, but also contain a good mix of vitamins, minerals and fibre.”
In fact, it’s even more important for people with diabetes to eat more fruit, as diabetic people are more likely to develop other health complications, which could be prevented by eating a healthy, balanced diet, containing fruit and vegetables.
“Eating fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of developing many health conditions including high blood pressure, heart diseases, strokes, obesity and certain cancers,” said Diabetes UK.
While it may seem eating fruit might increase blood sugar, most fruits actually have a low to medium glycaemic index, according to Diabetes UK.
This means fruits do not lead to a sharp rise in blood glucose levels, compared to other carbohydrate containing foods like white or wholemeal bread.
“Managing diabetes has to do with managing your blood glucose, blood fats, blood pressure and your weight, and fruits and vegetables can play a positive role in all these,” said Diabetes UK.
However, the same does not necessarily go for fruit juice.
This is because when whole fruits are made into fruit juice, they lose much of their fibre, so are not as beneficial.
In addition, because it’s easier to drink a lot of juice within a relatively short period compared with eating the whole fruit, it’s possible to end up loading up with lots of carbohydrates.
“Depending on how your diabetes is managed, this can result in your blood glucose levels going up, and may affect your weight in the long term as well,” said Diabetes UK.
“That is why you are better off eating the actual fruit and avoiding juices.”
If you struggle to give up fruit juice, the diabetes charity advises limiting it to a maximum of one small glass per day.
