If you are a diabetic, you know how carefully you need to watch what you eat and how much. Diabetes can cause serious complications such foot damage, kidney damage, and heart attacks, just to name a few.

Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot produce nor respond to the hormone insulin, causing high levels of glucose in the blood and urine.  It is extremely important for diabetics to keep a healthy diet and to consistently keep active doing sports or general exercise.

With that in mind, should a diabetic be adding bananas to their diet plan? There are countless reasons to eat bananas: they are full of potassium which help you avoid muscle cramps, they counteract calcium loss, and they are a great energy source.  However, the problem with bananas is that they have a high sugar content, which contradicts the diet plan of a diabetic. So should diabetics be eating bananas?

This short guide should answer your question:

A few interesting facts about bananas

-Bananas are the most sold item at Walmart’s.

-Bananas will guarantee you high fiber, giving you a solution for constipation.

-Eating a banana can be the difference between a good mood and a bad one, as they help you produce serotonin, the neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy.

-75% of the weight of a banana is composed out of water.

-The scientific name of the banana means “The fruit of the wise men”.

-Anemia can be relieved thanks to the iron provided by bananas.

-As stated before, bananas will help you avoid muscle cramps because of the potassium.

-Bananas will help you relieve morning sickness.

-They will also help you be more aware, which is why it’s a good idea to eat one before an exam.

What are the benefits for a diabetic?

-Once a moderate sized banana is eaten (with the right amount of carbohydrates), it helps regulate glucose levels in the blood.

-Stress management in diabetic patients is very important. The Vitamin B6 in bananas will help diabetics lower their stress levels.

-Bananas will help you with your metabolism, which keeps the symptoms of your diabetes at bay.

-Potassium-rich bananas will reduce your blood pressure, which helps deal with heart disease, an essential for  diabetics and anyone else at high risk of the condition.

What you should watch out for as a diabetic?

-Do not eat the fruit as a dessert, as doing so will increase your blood sugar level to a very high and harmful state.

-You have to make sure you eat the fruit in a moderate portion and don’t consume it when it’s overripe. This could be very harmful for you because of it’s high glycemic index.

-Bear in mind that if you already have kidney problems, an overdose of potassium could create big complications, as the fruit is loaded with this element.

Conclusion

If you are suffering from diabetes, it is important that you remain aware of the banana portions you are eating and how ripe the banana is. As mentioned earlier, it’s important to know the glycemic index of different foods. Make sure you don’t eat overly ripe bananas if possible and make sure to consume them in combination with oats and nuts. Consult a doctor about eating bananas if possible. It is especially important if you are taking medication and may experience complications by adding bananas to your daily diet.

One last thing: remember that fruit contains a high amount of carbohydrates, thus you have to make sure you balance out the rest of your meals, not overloading on carbs.

Overall, bananas can be a healthy addition to a diabetic’s diet, when consumed the right way.