Can Diabetics Drink Juice?

Before a diabetic can drink juice, he/she must consider how juice and other carbohydrates affect the blood glucose levels in the body. Developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a prerequisite to maintaining healthy bodyweight.

Since fruit juices, such as pineapple, oranges and apple juice are sources of carbohydrates with a low glycemic index, they should be made a part of one’s meals.

Carbohydrates and Glucose Levels

Consuming foods that are loaded with carbohydrates increases one’s blood glucose levels while on the other hand, eating small amounts of carbohydrates decreases blood glucose levels. It is therefore, important that people consume the right amount of carbohydrates to maintain the blood glucose levels.

Dietary Guidelines for Diabetics

Doctors, usually, do not prescribe a specific diabetic diet, but recommend that dietary changes be made to keep the blood glucose levels balanced. Doctors suggest that diabetics work closely with dieticians and create individualised meal plans that cover snacks and daily meals. According to The American Academy of Family Physicians, diabetics consume about 40 to 60 per cent of calories from carbohydrates, less than 30 per cent from fats and 20 per cent from protein.

Juices for Diabetics

Diabetics can drink juice as long as they drink in moderation and stick to a low glycemic index carbohydrates.  A low glycemic index carbohydrates rich food or drinks will not skyrocket the blood sugar levels. According to The North Fulton Internal Medicine Group, a diabetic must try vegetable and tomato juices, lime and lemon juices and canned fresh fruit juices that do not have any added sugars. For a diabetic, a half cup of juice equals one serving.

Prefer Fruits over Juices

Although, the doctors say that it is safe to drink juices for diabetics, fruits are better sources of low glycemic index carbohydrates. According to the American Diabetes Association, fruits are sources of carbohydrates that contain vitamins A, C and E, potassium, calcium, magnesium and fibre. Some of the sources of carbohydrates include dark and leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, lemon and limes, oranges, tomatoes and berries. A healthy diabetic diet consists of over three to five servings of vegetables and over two to four servings of fruits.

Exercise Regularly

Whether or not diabetics drink juice, it is important for them to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercising works in congruence with diet and helps keep the blood sugar levels under control, which must be the priority of diabetics.

Read more articles on Understand Diabetes.

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