Dragon fruit is a fruit rich in water, fiber and some vitamins, minerals, and also has a natural sweetness, so many people with type 2 diabetes wonder whether to eat it or not.
In fact, patients do not necessarily have to eliminate dragon fruit from their diet. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), whole fruits can still be included in a healthy diet for people with diabetes, but it is necessary to consider the amount of carbohydrates and portion size.
The first important point is to eat dragon fruit in moderate portions. Although the sugar in the fruit is natural sugar, dragon fruit still provides carbohydrates and can raise blood sugar after eating.
A serving of fruit containing about 15 g of carbohydrates can be equivalent to a small serving of fruit or about 1/2 cup of chopped fruit, depending on the type.
Therefore, instead of eating a large amount of dragon fruit at the same time, people with type 2 diabetes should divide it into small portions and calculate its carbohydrate amount into the total portion in the meal.
The way to eat is also as important as the quantity. People with type 2 diabetes should prioritize fresh dragon fruit, eating whole pieces instead of squeezing to get juice.
Whole fruit retains fiber, while juice contains carbohydrates that are easier to absorb and often cause blood sugar to rise faster. ADA also recommends prioritizing whole fruit instead of juice in blood sugar control.
Besides, dragon fruit can also be eaten with a source of protein or healthy fats such as unsweetened yogurt, a little nuts or nuts without added sugar.
This combination helps the meal be more balanced and can slow down the process of carbohydrate digestion.
People with type 2 diabetes should also avoid turning dragon fruit into a high-sugar dessert by adding condensed milk, sugar, syrup or sweet toppings.
An important note is that dragon fruit should not be seen as a blood sugar lowerer.
Therefore, dragon fruit should only be considered part of a balanced diet, not replacing treatment drugs or nutritional plans guided by doctors and nutritionists.
People with type 2 diabetes can eat dragon fruit but should prioritize fresh dragon fruit, eat whole fruit, control portion sizes and calculate carbohydrate amounts in the total diet.
Monitoring blood sugar after meals also helps each person understand the body's reaction and adjust the appropriate portion size.
