Diabetes type 2 diet, experts on best recipe, ideal time to eat pineapples

A healthy diet should include servings of various fruits. Pineapple is one such fruit that is a powerhouse of nutrition and tastes great as well. It is loaded with thiamine (Vitamin B1), Vitamin C, and rich in iron. It also contains an enzyme called bromelain which aids digestion and its juice is considered to be a diuretic. It is also an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. Being rich in manganese, it also boosts bone health.

But while pineapples are considered beneficial for asthma patients, diabetics are recommended to exercise caution while eating the fruit. “Regardless of its health benefits, it is high in sugar and not the best option for diabetics. It can be had in moderation considering the balance caloric intake is taken care of,” says nutrition consultant Karishma Chawla.

Rekha Sharma , Head–Nutrition, VLCC, says that as long as the serving size is moderate, diabetics can eat pineapples. “Pineapple can be a healthy choice for diabetics as it contains vitamins, minerals, fibres and other healthy nutrients to support good health,” says Sharma.

The best time to consume fruits, including pineapples, is in the first half of the day and without combining it with another meal to keep sugar levels in check.

Some of the best ways to incorporate pineapple in a diabetic’s diet is to add a few pieces in oat porridge with skimmed milk, in a pineapple salad, as a green smoothie with pineapple, or as flavouring for a whey smoothie, suggests Chawla.

Sharma adds that pineapples can be incorporated in meat-based preparations as it contains Proteolytic enzyme, which helps in better digestion of proteins in meat. Other preparations where you can include pineapples is while making detox water, mixing in a pulao, or as natural sweeteners in desserts and ice creams.

You may want to give pineapple juice a miss though: “Fruit juice comes with more sugar and is best avoided. Even in the preparations mentioned above, pineapple pieces should only be added as a flavouring agent, rather than as a larger part of the dish. Remember, while consuming high-sugar fruits moderation is the key,” says Chawla.

Canned pineapples are also not recommended for diabetics. “It is loaded with carbohydrates that may result in a blood sugar spike,” says Sharma.

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