Diabetic patients need to monitor carb intake for insulin control.
Consuming dry fruits in adequate quantity improves immunity, promotes gut health and aids in weight management.
Consuming dry fruits, breaks down sugars or carbohydrates into glucose, supplying energy to the body. Individuals without diabetes naturally release insulin from the pancreas when consuming carbohydrates to regulate glucose transport, storage, and utilisation.
Individuals with diabetes may have insufficient insulin, requiring medication to control blood sugar levels. Hence, people with diabetes must watch their carbohydrate intake to control the right insulin dosage for maintaining blood sugar levels.
Dry fruits and nuts are packed with essential nutrients. It is advised to include almonds, cashews, walnuts and raisins in your daily diet. Consuming dry fruits in adequate quantity improves immunity, promotes gut health and aids in weight management. Dry fruits are rich in dietary proteins, vitamins, fibres and minerals. Still, it is necessary to ascertain if there are any particular recommendations for individuals with diabetes when it comes to their consumption.
Dr Saptarshi Bhattacharya, a Senior Consultant in the Endocrinology Department at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, said that the process of preparing dry fruits involves drying fruits in the sun, which concentrates natural fructose, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. He added the benefits of including dry fruits in the diet of diabetic patients.
Patients with diabetes should exercise restraint when consuming dry fruits, as excessive intake can elevate blood sugar levels. The doctor cautioned against the high-calorie content in dry fruits, highlighting that excessive intake can negatively affect glycemic control and lead to rapid blood sugar spikes.
For diabetic patients, experts recommend that dry fruits can be consumed at any time of the day. On the contrary, it is recommended to increase your energy levels, dry fruits should be consumed after meals. If an individual has notably high sugar levels, it’s advisable to consult a doctor before including dry fruits in their diet.
A report from Eating Well suggests that it is necessary to be cautious about the quantity of dry fruits one is having throughout the day. Apart from this, it is also important to be cautious of trail mixes that include chocolates, yoghurt-covered raisins or honey-sweetened peanuts, as they might contain more added sugar than expected.