Dried fruit and nuts for people living with diabetes | 1 min read

A healthy diet is essential to help prevent and manage diabetes. Dried fruit and nuts are excellent additions to a healthy, active lifestyle and support a diabetic diet. 

Almonds contain nutrients that are beneficial for people with diabetes in terms of heart health. In addition to almonds, other tree nuts such as Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, shea nuts, and walnuts also fall within the tree nut group (otherwise known as hard-shelled nuts).

A recent study conducted by St Michael’s Hospital in Canada found that tree nuts were highly effective in helping control blood sugar levels and reducing LCL (bad) cholesterol for those with type 2 diabetes.

Another food that can be beneficial in controlling diabetes is dried fruit. Consuming dried fruit provides high levels of magnesium, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Weight gain may be a problem for those who have diabetes due to insulin resistance, poor diet, and lack of physical exercise. Dried fruit help people manage their weight as it is a source of energy, protein and reduces LCL (bad) cholesterol. According to recent health research, people who eat dried fruit have a higher energy intake than those who don’t, but also have significantly smaller waist circumference measurements and BMI readings.

Type 2 diabetes is preventable and treatable in many ways. A crucial part of prevention and management is following a healthy lifestyle, starting with your diet.