Berries & Diabetes: Are Berries Good for Diabetics?

The Best Berries for Diabetics

The glycemic index is a scale on which carbohydrate-containing foods are ranked. Foods that have a high score quickly raise blood sugar, while foods with low scores only gradually raise blood sugar. Low ranking foods score below 55. Intermediate-GI foods score between 55 and 70. High GI foods score above 70. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries all have scores below 40.

If you have diabetes, the key to maintaining your blood sugar is to use portion control. Thanks to the low-carbohydrate density of strawberries, you can safely enjoy a 1¼-cup serving. The diabetic exchange for blueberries is 3/4 cup. The diabetic exchange for blackberries is 3/4 cup. The diabetic exchange for raspberries is 1 cup.

Important to note: fruits such as berries contain fructose, a natural sugar that doesn’t require insulin to be metabolized, so fruit tends to be well-tolerated. Strive to consume at least two servings of fruit each day, but monitor what works best for you.