Does the fruit fly?
Summer is in full swing folks, and that means that all the colorful fruits are in season. I pass by them in the supermarket, the peaches and plums and cantaloupe in all their brilliance calling out to me. But I have to say, I rarely buy fruit because I rarely eat it. I’ve got a diabetes mental road block against fruit, and I’m wondering if other folks out there do to.
When I look at fruit, the first thing I see is carbs. I know it’s also chock-full of nutrients and vitamins that are good for me, but it’s hard for me to get past the carbs and the fact that I’m definately going to have to bolus for it. Since I tend to eat low carb, I often avoid fruit, or at least don’t actively consider it when choosing my meals throughout the day. I’ve had people claim that bolusing for fruit is worth it because of the nutrients, but if “worth it” to me is defined as good blood sugar control, than fruit wouldn’t cut it. To me, bolusing for fruit adds as much variation as bolusing for sweets. In fact, I’ll occasionally pick up piece of fruit to have for dessert after a home cooked meal, but I often find myself wondering why I didn’t just have half a cookie or some dark chocolate if I was going to bolus anyways.
Fruit has just never seemed all that easy for me to incorprate into my meals or snacks, but I’m wondering if I need to build a bridge over this mental road block and get on the fruit bandwagon. After all, it IS pretty doggone good for you - right? Or, should “good for me” be defined as “low-carb?”
Do you guys eat fruit? Do you find that you need to bolus differently for fruit carbs versus things like cookie carbs? Or is everything just lumped into the “carbs category” and bolused the same? Do you mentally feel it’s “worth it” when you bolus for it? So many questions about such a simple food! I’m interested to know, so leave a comment and let me know your take on fruit!
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Comments
A dietitian I was saw years ago told me the best fruit to eat (for good blood sugar control) was on that has an eidible skin. I eat apples, peaches and kiwi all of which I do not have to bolus for. Typically I go low when I blous for any of those. Other fruits I have a harder time maintaining good control, which I tend to not eat much of those.
Precisely what Jenny said - eat fruits with the skins, bc the fiber slows down the digestion.
Plus you can always eat it at the end of your meal (doesn’t have to be dessert!), so the carbs will reach your body at a slower rate, since it’ll be slowed down by all of the other awesome things you ate 
I, personally, find fruit totally bolus-worthy. But then I’m also a student of nutrition 
I always eat fruit at every meal. I have to disagree with Jaime, though. I consider my fruit to be dessert. Fruit is dessert in many countries, and thinking of it as such makes me feel that I’m not depriving myself. I most often eat half an apple, but when melons are good (or peaches and nectarines) I get those. Many supermarket produce departments have a book you can look at which shows you all the nutrition info on the fruits and vegetables. I make good use of that book ’cause I’m old and forgetful. I make good use of that book ’cause I’m old and forgetful. Just gauge for yourself which fruits work best for you from direct experience.
Yep, I also eat fruits. Not every meal, but probably a serving of fruit every other day. The nutrition they provide makes the bolus worth it and the fructose breaks down slightly slower than sucrose so it doesn’t cause my BG to rise as fast as a half a cookie. In fact eating fruit almost never causes my BG to rise very much.
i love fruit and have some every morning in my smoothie, plus more when it’s summer and there are fresh berries, peaches and melon! i don’t find any of these raise my BG much (like white bread, pasta, etc..), nor do apples and pears.
i find the nutrients, the fiber, and the taste to be worth the insulin needed. i take shots of humalog and only use about 10-14 units/day total, and my weight and A1C’s are really good…
Go ahead and enjoy!
I eat fruit too Lex, as we discussed with the Paleo diet I eat one or two servings a day and reserve some grapes or cherries in case of low during the work day. I also have found small to medium apples and peaches/nectarines or watermelon rarely require a bolus. For me fruit is worth the bolus but usually does not require much if any.
I also eat low carb but I do “spend” my carbs on fruits in season. Right now fresh peaches are so good and juicy. So I have a small one almost daily. Once the season is done, then I don’t have anymore until next year. Same with any fruit and vegetable that is a bit carby. Fresh Corn is coming into full season too so I’ll usually have an ear of corn once a week or so during the season.