What’s a typical dietary error that most people who have diabetes commit? They think that bananas are off-limits! This adaptable fruit doesn’t have to be the sugar-booster that many of us think it is, nor do we have to think of it as being off-limits. You might think that if you’re watching your blood sugar, bananas are food to stay away from. However, it’s not necessary to exclude them entirely. If you know the best ways to consume them, you can enjoy this tasty, easily accessible fruit and even improve your health.
People With Diabetes Can Add Bananas to Other Dishes
How can the blood sugar rise from any high-carb food be slowed down easily? Combine it with other foods that include nutrients that take longer to digest, such as protein and fat. For instance, adding banana slices to Greek yogurt. Or even better, layering them together into a gorgeous, and healthy parfait will lessen the effect that the carbohydrates in both foods will have on your blood sugar level. This is because Greek yogurt is packed with protein. Another delicious way to enjoy bananas if you have diabetes is with peanut butter, which is a wonderful source of protein and heart-healthy plant fats. To satisfy your craving, prepare peanut butter banana oatmeal for breakfast.
One Whole Banana Can Be Way Too Much
Yes, sugar is a natural component of bananas and could be bad for people with diabetes. The recommended serving, which is half of a giant banana, has a startlingly low 15 grams of carbs. Before peeling the banana, cut it in half to prevent wasting the other half. Then, to keep it from going bad, wrap the exposed portion of the unfinished fruit in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Have no plastic wrap on hand or would rather not use it? The eaten half can alternatively be placed vertically on a plate to seal the flesh from oxygen exposure.
Firmer Bananas Are Better
The refractory starch begins to transform into a quicker-acting type of sugar when bananas ripen. In other words, the higher the sugar concentration, the softer the banana and the browner the peel. While still giving your body the same amount of healthy vitamins, minerals, and fiber, picking a banana that’s more solid can imply a somewhat smaller influence on blood sugar. If you have diabetes but intend to eat the bananas straight away, consider bananas that are totally bright yellow when purchasing a bunch. If it’ll be a day or two before you can eat them, look for brilliant yellow fruit that’s beginning to turn green toward each end.