Diabetes ?

[Dajstar]

May sound silly or a bit vague this , but the mother in law is a home help and one of her clients has just been told she's diabetic.

This lady is under the impression she cannot eat fruit , such as apples or banana's. Now i know she will eventually find out what she can and cannot eat , but can anyone enlighten us on the fruit issue.

Thanks in advance.

[Emily Ball]

The 89 year old man I help to care for has had diabetes for over 40 years . He is insulin dependent and can and does eat fruit every day - a banana, peach, strawberries etc. Your mum's client should have been given all the necessary information on what she can and can't eat by her GP. She may have heard words like 'hypos'and 'diabetic comas' etc.and is feeling confused about what kinds of food (especially sweet foods) she is allowed in order  to keep her diabetes under control. Her doctor will be able to reassure her.

[woofgang]

Here's the straight info from Diabetes uk (formerly the British Diabetes Association. Your M.i.l's client should also get written advice from the doc or diabetes nurse

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/eatwell/meal_planning/eightsteps.htm

[ursula62]

Fruit is fine - in fact diabetics are encouraged to eat fresh fruit.

Some dietitians suggest cutting back on the very sweet tropical type fruits (e.g. mango, papaya etc) unless eaten as part of a meal, but definitely fruit should be included in a diabetic's diet, whether they are insulin dependent, on tablets or controlled by diet alone.

[thugulike]

If this person has type 2 diabetes then they need to be careful about carbohydrates.  Some fruits are very high in carbs, especially apples.  Berries and melon are the best bet.

[funkychicken]

thugulike melon is high in natural sugars, as are grapes, they shouldn't be cut out but excessive amounts shouldn't be eaten in one go, bananas are high in carbohydrates, apples don't have as many carbohydrates but do have some.