Should patients with type 2 diabetes eat avocados?

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Vu Thi Duyen - Doctor of Nephrology - Endocrinology - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

When patients with diabetes need a proper balanced diet is very important to help control blood sugar as well as prevent possible acute and chronic complications. Nowadays avocado is really a nutritious and very healthy food source. However, there are many diabetic patients wondering if they can eat or not?

Having a scientific diet is one of the most important factors in the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes. Because a nutritious menu as well as a meal can bring greatly affect the body's ability to control blood sugar.
>>> Diet for type 2 diabetes
The diet for people with type 2 diabetes is to eat foods with a low glycemic index that can help patients control their blood sugar levels. Good control of blood sugar. This is a real requirement for every diabetic patient to be able to self-control and prevent diabetes complications.
Many diabetic patients also wonder or ask endocrinologists whether they can eat avocado or not? In fact, avocado is an ideal choice for people with type 2 diabetes because avocados bring quite a lot of health benefits to patients if eaten properly in a reasonable amount.

Here are some of the health benefits of avocado for people with type 2 diabetes:

Avocado is a fruit that contains very little carbohydrates, so their effect on blood sugar is also very low (i.e. low glycemic index). A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition evaluated the effects of adding half an avocado to a standard lunch in both healthy and overweight people. The results of the study showed that eating avocados did not have a significant impact on their blood sugar levels.
This is also the reason why avocados become such a healthy and nutritious food for most people with diabetes. Although avocados are low in carbs, they contain a large amount of fiber. Certain other high-fiber foods can still raise blood sugar levels.

Half a small avocado is considered the standard amount that everyone should eat because they contain only about 4.6 grams of fiber and 5.9 grams of carbohydrates.
Here are the National Academies' recommendations for minimum daily fiber intake for adults:
Women under 50: need at least 25 grams of fiber daily Women over 50: need minimum 21 grams of fiber daily Men under 50 years old: need at least 38 grams of fiber daily Men over 50 years old: need at least 30 grams of fiber daily >>> Add fiber through a reasonable diet
According to a 2012 review published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, regarding fiber supplementation (about 40 grams of fiber) to patients with type 2 diabetes found that Fiber supplementation in these patients can significantly reduce fasting blood sugar and body A1c levels.
Patients with type 2 diabetes should try a diet high in fiber, by eating more fruits, vegetables and plants that are low in carbs (such as avocados, berries, vegetables). greens, chia seeds and other nuts).

Just a little weight loss can help increase your body's insulin sensitivity and prevent the risk of serious complications caused by type 2 diabetes.
Avocados are rich in healthy fats that keep you feeling fuller for longer. In one study, adding half an avocado to lunch in people with diabetes increased their satisfaction with the meal by 26% and reduced their cravings by 40%. want to eat more.
When you feel full longer after a meal you will have less desire to snack or consume more calories. In particular, avocados contain healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help the body use insulin more efficiently.
In another study that evaluated different weight loss plans in people with reduced insulin sensitivity, it was found that those on a weight loss diet were high in unsaturated fats. Singles tend to increase the body's sensitivity to insulin more than those following a high-carb diet. (Weight loss diets often focus mainly on limiting the amount of calories that are taken into the body.)

Fats are often divided into several different categories, which include two main categories: healthy fats and unhealthy fats. Consuming too much saturated fat or any amount of trans fat can raise the level of LDL (bad cholesterol) in your blood.
Plus, a diet high in trans fats also lowers the body's HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Low HDL levels where LDL levels are high can increase the risk of heart disease in both healthy people and people with diabetes.
If you add more healthy fats including monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats that can promote an increase in the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in your blood while eliminating bad cholesterol . This can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes.
You can get an extra source of healthy fats through the following foods:
Avocados Olive Oil nuts, such as cashews, almonds, and peanuts Flaxseed oil Sesame seeds, or pumpkin seeds

A whole avocado usually provides about 250-300 calories. Although avocados are a food high in healthy fats, these calories can still lead to weight gain when you exceed your calorie needs.
If you are following a weight loss diet, you should pay attention to your daily portion control. Instead of adding avocados to your current diet, you can use them to replace foods that are high in saturated fat, such as artificial butter and cheese. For example, you can spread some mashed avocado on toast instead of using artificial butter.
FDA recommends that people with diabetes eat about 1/5 of an avocado, which equates to about 50 calories. According to the results of a recent study, people who eat half an avocado at one time can enjoy the following benefits:
Lower body weight Better overall nutrition Reduced risk have metabolic syndrome

Normally, an avocado will take several days to turn ripe. Most avocados sold at grocery stores are unripe, so many people choose to buy avocados a few days before eating them.
A green avocado will have a darker green color than a cucumber. As avocados ripen, they will turn a darker green, almost even black. Before buying, you should check to see if it has bruises or is mushy. If you hold an avocado and feel it is soft, it is likely that the avocado is ripe.

Articles refer to the source: healthline.com