By Dean L. Jones, CPM
The American Diabetes Association supports eating fruits, since they are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber and should be a part of a diabetic diet. The key is to keep an eye on portion sizes and stay away from fruits canned in syrups or other types of added sugar.
Yesterday I was walking back to my car in a shopping parking lot while passing a lady sitting in her car, she asked if I could buy an apple juice for her mother, who was slightly slumped over in the front passenger seat. The lady quickly explained how her mother was diabetic and her blood sugar had dropped dramatically (probably around 70) and that she was too shaky and feeling weak to leave her unattended.
I was able to complete the request swiftly, but thought what are the odds of me running into a situation like this? Well, probably pretty high since 26 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. We are in a serious epidemic of people experiencing out-of-balanced blood sugar (glucose) levels. This condition causes high glucose levels in the blood that can damage the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart and lead to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries that can cause a heart attack and/or stroke.
In view of that, more of us should take advantage of packing and eating fruit. Fresh fruit has a low-glycemic index (GI) that aids in properly circulating glucose levels and satisfies the sweet tooth. An apple kept somewhere while being on the go will probably be a great rescue food. Even a small apple has 54 calories and 14 carbohydrate grams that comes loaded with fiber and vitamin C. It is the apple peel (skins) that has the great antioxidants, so eat it all.
Berries are a diabetes super food because they are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. Tart cherries contain more anti-inflammatory agents than any other fruit, and come complete with enough antioxidants to help fight heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Peaches contain vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber. Likewise, four fresh apricots equal one serving and provide more than 70% of our daily vitamin A requirement and are a good source of fiber. Pears are a high-quality source of potassium and fiber, just as kiwi is full of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.
Stay Sugar Alert! Climate change will cause more and more frequent heat waves that cause the body to lose fluids more rapidly. Consequently, eating more foods with high water content is important. Fresh fruit will be the aid to help avoid going into a severe diabetic coma, which is where a person with type 2 diabetes becomes very ill or severely dehydrated and is hard pressed to drink enough fluids to make up for the lost fluids.
www.SugarAlert.com
Dean Jones, Ethics Advocate, Southland Partnership Corporation (a public benefit organization), contributes his view on health attributes derived from processed foodstuff items.
