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Oranges for diabetes are a forbidden treat for many people. They limit themselves to fruit for fear of harming their body. But if you correctly introduce citrus into your diet, it will not only not be dangerous for a diabetic, but will also benefit him.
The effect of oranges on sugar levels
The responsibility of a diabetic is to constantly calculate the glycemic index of a dish. This indicator displays the degree of glucose jump after consuming the product. If the glycemic index is above 70, then the diabetic should avoid eating such food.
Oranges, despite the presence of sugar, are of great benefit to the body. It should be borne in mind that they contain a moderate amount of carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed in the digestive tract. Glycemic levels do not increase due to pectin. This substance contained in the pulp slows down the process of sugar absorption.
The glycemic index of orange is 33, so citrus can be included in the diet of a diabetic
Can diabetics have oranges?
An important criterion is compliance with the norm and the individual characteristics of the body. If a diabetic strictly controls his diet, leads a healthy lifestyle, and his disease is in remission, then eating orange will be beneficial.
People who have developed complications of diabetes are forced to limit themselves in food. It is not recommended to include fruit in the menu for patients whose disease has reached the acute stage.
Benefits of orange for diabetes
And if there are carbohydrates in citrus pulp, then there are no proteins or fats in it. Orange is valuable for diabetics not only for its low glycemic index, but also for its abundance of vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on the functions of organs and systems. Not only the pulp has benefits, but also the peel, which can be used to prepare medicinal decoctions.
An additional option for using orange peels is making candied fruits.
Useful material:
- provitamin A;
- ascorbic, folic and nicotinic acid;
- B vitamins;
- phytoncides;
- potassium;
- cobalt;
- pectins;
- magnesium.
The main difference between all citruses is the presence of vitamin C. In oranges, ascorbic acid is important in the autumn-winter period, helping to fight ARVI. Increases vitamin and body resistance to infections, improves the appearance of the skin.
It is generally accepted that frequent consumption of citrus fruits by diabetics reduces the risk of tumor formations, because antioxidants prevent the development of malignant cells. Oranges also have a beneficial effect on the visual system.The substances contained in the pulp prevent the appearance of retinopathy and slow down the process of damage to nerve endings and blood vessels in the eye.
If diabetics regularly consume oranges, they will be able to replenish their magnesium deficiency. If there is a deficiency of this substance, there is a risk of developing nephropathy, which will lead to kidney destruction. And vitamin E contained in the pulp safely removes toxins from the body.
Anthocyanins not only lower glucose levels, but also prevent its sudden jumps in the body
It should be taken into account that diabetics often produce insufficient amounts of the hormone erythropoietin. This leads to the development of anemia. By introducing citrus fruits into your diet, it is possible to increase your hemoglobin levels.
Dietary fiber in the pulp helps fight cholesterol plaques and prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
The effect of citrus on the human body:
- improved heart function (reduced risk of arrhythmia);
- lowering blood pressure;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Possible harm and contraindications
But in addition to its advantages, citrus also has disadvantages. Diabetics with inflammatory diseases of the stomach and intestines: ulcers, gastritis or colitis should not eat it.
It is not recommended to consume the fruit for children under five years of age, as at this age there is a high risk of developing a rash or diathesis.
According to dentists, oranges negatively affect the strength of tooth enamel. To prevent acids from destroying the shell, you need to rinse your mouth every time after eating the pulp.
Orange juice for diabetes
It should be borne in mind that in liquid form there is no fiber, and a person will consume the product in larger quantities. If you drink 0.5 liters of juice, up to 52 g of carbohydrates will enter the body, which corresponds to the daily norm. Therefore, doctors insist to give up canned and freshly squeezed orange juices. It is not recommended to drink citrus-based punches.
Features of use
If you have diabetes, it is recommended to eat oranges fresh. Any type of heat treatment will increase the glycemic load, which means a risk of increased blood sugar. It should be borne in mind that under the influence of temperature, the nutritional quality of the fruit also deteriorates.
You can consume 1-2 oranges per day if there are no medical contraindications. It is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body.
If a diabetic does not like fresh oranges, he can enjoy candied fruits. They will not increase glucose levels if you avoid sugar when preparing them.
One of the recipes for candied orange peels:
- Soak the peel in water for several days, then peel off the white film and rinse well.
- Cut the orange into strips and place them in a saucepan with a thick bottom.
- Simmer the peel over low heat for 30 minutes and then drain in a colander.
- Pour syrup over candied fruits. To prepare it, you can use sorbitol or fructose.
- Place all ingredients in a frying pan and stir continuously over low heat until all the liquid has evaporated.
The zest can also be used to boost immunity. To do this, make a decoction of their peels.To get the medicine, you need to pour 200 ml of boiling water over the peel of one citrus and leave for 1-2 hours.
A separate problem for diabetics is excess weight. Oranges help fight excess weight due to impaired carbohydrate metabolism.
The calorie content of an orange reaches 43 kcal per 100 g, depending on the variety
To lose weight, you need to adhere not only to a healthy lifestyle, but also regularly eat citrus fruits. It is best to eat them fresh, add them to salads, taking into account the total calorie content of the dish.
Orange Cake Recipe for Diabetics
If there is a need for heat treatment of citrus, then you can use several recipes for pies.
Prepare the following ingredients:
- 3 eggs;
- 1 orange;
- 30 g sorbitol;
- 100 almonds;
- tsp lemon zest;
- a pinch of cinnamon.
You should start by preheating the oven to 180°C. At this time, boil the orange, remove the seeds and chop. Beat one egg with the addition of sorbitol, combine with zest, pulp and cinnamon, mix. After completing all the work, pour chopped almonds into the dough. Mix the resulting puree with two beaten eggs and pour into the mold. Bake for 40 minutes.
Diabetics are recommended to consume no more than 100 g of orange cake per day
For the second recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- 0.5 kg low-fat cottage cheese;
- 3 tbsp. l. butter;
- 2 tbsp. honey;
- 200 g fructose cookies;
- 1 whole egg and 1 white;
- 2 oranges;
- 100 g dried apricots.
The cookies need to be crushed into crumbs and mixed with butter. Place the finished base in a mold and place in an oven preheated to 150°C for seven minutes.
While the dough is baking, make the base. To do this, combine cottage cheese with egg and white, add honey and beat until smooth.Grate the orange zest, squeeze out the citrus juice and add dried apricots. Place the fruit mixture on the fire and simmer until puree is obtained. Combine it with the curd mass. Place the prepared filling on the dough and transfer the pie to the oven for 30 minutes.
Conclusion
Oranges for diabetes are not only not prohibited, but also recommended for consumption. It is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the body and obtain a doctor’s permission. You should not overuse citrus: diabetics can eat no more than 1-2 fresh oranges per day.
