Fructose and juicing

[dcb568]

Hi All. This is a first post so I hope to get it right!
I have read on the Diabetes web site that we (diabetics) should avoid shop bought fruit juices because of the 'free sugars'. I own an electric centrifugal juicer and am considering the purchase of a masticating [auger type) juicer. I'm not to partial to green and from juices but prefer more fruits. I suppose the question is, can I drink my own juiced (Fructose and unsugared) fruits with added greens, safely ie without a sugar spike? Thanks.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @dcb568 🙂 Juices and smoothies tend to put blood sugar up quickly as the fruit fibres have been broken up and so the glucose/carbs gets into the bloodstream. Also, things like smoothies contain more fruit then you’d eat, if you get what I mean - ie it’s easy to drink a smoothified banana, apples, grapes, orange but you’d get full quicker eating them unprocessed.

You could try a small serving and see the effect on your blood sugar, but you might find you need to avoid higher carb fruits like bananas and include low carb greens.

 

[Leadinglights]

Many people find that smoothies and juiced fruits increase blood glucose more than you would imagine from the amount of carbs in them and more than those same fruits eaten unprocessed.
I would try it before spending money on more equipment.

 

[rebrascora]

Generally we would advise people who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes to moderate their carb intake and that would include both the portion of fruit they eat and the type of fruit. Most of us find that a small portion of berries (rasps, blackberries, strawberries, black currants, gooseberries.... the lowest carb fruits) are easiest on our BG levels and the higher carb fruits are kept for a special treat once in a while and portion control is very important. Mascerating fruit (and veg for that matter) makes the sugars they contain much more readily digested, so the glucose from them will usually hit the blood stream quicker. Therefore as a general principle for a Type 2 who is trying to control their diabetes through diet with or without medication, a juicer of any sort is probably not the best idea. Chewing not only slows the process but is also more satisfying than drinking a juice or smoothie and I think releases chemicals, possibly hormones to help you feel full sooner, so chewing food well is part of the strategy for reducing the amount you eat.