Managing your blood sugar is hugely beneficial for long-term health. There are numerous studies that prove that having your blood sugar under control can help prevent diseases like diabetes, as well as things like nerve damage and kidney damage. Thankfully, eating certain fruits can make the process of managing blood sugar easy, not to mention tasty too! Let’s take a look at some of the best fruits around for helping you manage your blood sugar levels, keeping you healthy at the same time, too!
Berries
Berries like blueberries and strawberries are incredibly good for you. They’re a high source of antioxidants, which can help to flush harmful toxins out of your body. They also rank very lowly on the GI (Glycemic Index). This means that they’re a good source of energy and can keep you going all day, without causing your blood sugar levels to rise. They’re also incredibly tasty and really easy to combine with other meals, which means you can be as creative as you want with them!
Cherries
Who doesn’t love cherries? They’re tasty and go with almost any kind of food. The added advantage of cherries is that they’re also very healthy, so long as you get fresh ones that aren’t coated in coloring or flavoring. Cherries are a good source of dietary fibre and are known to have natural anti-inflammatory properties. They’re great for preventing heart disease and keep you energized without raising blood sugar levels.
Apples
The old saying goes: ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’. This is actually more true than we might believe. Apples are a great source of dietary fibre, which means that they can help prevent things like heart disease, strokes, and even cancer. On top of that, they provide a pretty high amount of energy, without forcing blood sugar levels up. They’re tasty and nutritious too, as apples tend to have significant amounts of vitamin C, K, B vitamins, and vitamin E. They’re also great any time of day!
Pears
Pears are also a really tasty way to help balance out blood sugar levels. Much like apples, they’re also a great source of dietary fibre. According to Stemilt, high levels of dietary fibre are a key component in preventing heart disease and even the development of cancer. Pears are also loaded with natural flavonoid antioxidants, which means they’ll help flush out all the unwanted toxins in your system. They’re also a good source of potassium and vitamin C, which can help to strengthen your immune system.
Oranges
Oranges are absolutely delicious! They’re also really good for you! Oranges tend to have very high levels of vitamin C, which means that they can help boost your overall immune system. They are also a great source of folate, a B vitamin that is known for promoting brain health and function. Oranges are a great source of energy and won’t raise blood sugar levels. According to Medical News Today, they’re also known to help support people with insulin sensitivities, making them ideal for people with diabetes.
Kiwis
While kiwis might be considered somewhat of an exotic fruit to many, they’re also promoted as being really good for your health. They are rich in what is known as ‘prebiotic fibre’. This is essentially a type of fibre that helps to promote the good bacteria in your gut, leading to good gut health. Gut health is hugely important for overall health, and not maintaining it can lead to numerous diseases and health issues. A kiwi in your shake is a great way to boost energy levels without bringing up your blood sugar levels.
Peaches
Peaches are delicious and really good for you. They’re a sweet but healthy alternative to sugar, and will help to keep your blood sugar levels in check. They’re high in fibre and contain surprisingly high levels of vitamin E. Vitamin E is great for helping your body build strong, healthy skin and eyes, and can also help to promote your overall immune health. Peaches are also considered good for promoting vitamin synergy in your body, essentially helping other vitamins to work better.
Guava
While guava may not be everyone’s first choice, it’s also really good for you in juice form. Guava also has high levels of vitamin C and can give you loads of energy, without having a negative effect on your blood sugar levels. However, guavas are also a good source of antioxidants like quercetin that can help to battle cancer and heart disease. Quercetin essentially helps your body develop natural peroxides that can flush out toxins and promote overall health.
Plums
Plums are also a really great way to help you balance your blood sugar levels. They’re great for digestive health, but also pack high levels of vitamin A and C, which is good for promoting blood health and overall immune system function. Dried plums contain lots of fibre, which can help prevent heart disease. However, plums are also rich in antioxidants, which will help your body flush out unhealthy toxins. They shouldn’t be seen as ‘granny food’!
Avocados
Avocados are really healthy and are a perfect meal for any time of day, breakfast, lunch, or supper! They have an incredibly low carb count, but offer a lot of energy, with little effect on blood sugar levels. They’re also rich in micronutrients, which our body can’t produce naturally, so getting them in through your diet is important. Avocados also have a high amount of monounsaturated fats, which are ideal for preventing things like high cholesterol and blood or heart disease.
Tomato
We tend to forget that the humble tomato is actually a fruit! Tomatoes are also a good source of monounsaturated fats and can help prevent cholesterol. However, they’re an ideal energy source for people trying to cut down on sugar intake and can be added to a variety of different savory meals to make them a whole lot tastier and healthier. Tomatoes are a great source of antioxidants like beta-carotene, which is important for maintaining overall health.