Does Pineapple Raise Blood Sugar?

When your blood sugar levels get too high or too low, you can develop a wide variety of symptoms. If high or low blood sugar levels are left untreated, you can become very sick and, in severe cases, either situation can be fatal. While you may need medication to keep your blood sugar levels in check, watching what you eat plays a large role in your overall treatment program. If you are concerned about your blood sugar levels, and to determine if foods, such as pineapple, are safe for your particular situation, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Blood Sugar Levels

Many factors influence blood sugar levels. This means one day you may be able to eat pineapple with no problem, while on other days, it can raise your blood glucose level too high. The types of food you eat along with the pineapple, how much food you eat at each sitting, stress, physical activity level, medications being taken and any illnesses you have will influence your level and how your body responds to the food you eat, says the University of Illinois Extension. Because carbohydrates have a significant effect on blood sugar, you need to be aware of how many carbs foods such as pineapple have.

Fruit and Blood Sugar

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Fruits do contain carbohydrates, so they can raise your blood sugar level; however, fruit is part of an overall healthy diet. To control your carbohydrate intake, it is best to go for fresh pineapple versus canned, frozen or dried. Approximately 1/2 cup of frozen or canned pineapple has about 15 grams of carbohydrate, notes the American Diabetes Association 1. Once your doctor determines how many grams of carbohydrate you can have each day, whenever you eat pineapple, you must subtract the carbohydrate grams from your daily allowance.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

Your doctor may recommend that you test your blood sugar frequently to see how your diet is working. In general, if you do not have a medical condition such as diabetes, your blood sugar level should be about 70 to 120, reports the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Blood glucose goes up after eating but should return to normal one or two hours after your meal. If you have diabetes or another medical condition, your doctor will inform you of a safe range to keep your blood sugar level within. Testing may be the only way to know if consuming pineapple sends your blood glucose levels too high, or if you can eat it in small amounts.

Benefits

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Even though pineapple does contain carbs, it also contains fiber and many vitamins and nutrients the body needs. Getting enough fiber in your diet is key to keeping your bowel movements regular, managing gastrointestinal diseases, improving cholesterol levels, managing weight and maintaining steady blood sugar levels, according to the Colorado State University Extension. A general goal is to get 25 to 35 grams of fiber every day; 1 cup of fresh pineapple contains 2.2 grams.