Dr. Rupal Shah is a Dietitian/Nutritionist, Clinical Nutritionist, and Diabetes Specialist in Bhayandar West, Mumbai, and has an experience of 10 years in these fields. Dr. Rupal Shah practices at Healthy Life Clinic in Bhayandar West, Mumbai, and Dr. Dragos Lifeline Hospital in Mira Road, Mumbai. You can find more about her practice at eatrightwithrupal.com. She is a Registered Dietitian from Indian Dietetic Association and has completed MSc - Dietetics / Nutrition from the University of Mumbai, Mumbai in 2012, she has done specialization in diabetes from International Diabetes Federation.

Can diabetics eat banana and honey?

Dr. Rupal begins, “Banana has carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, fiber. Diabetes patients can take bananas provided they take them in restricted quantities. But if the patient's blood sugar is very high, we cannot recommend them to have it and if their blood sugar is borderline, then they can but in a small amount.

No fruits should not be taken with meals or after the meal. They should be taken as a mid-meal. Honey contains vitamins and minerals but in a very small quantity. Honey, sugar, jaggery are all one thing. Try to avoid all these.” 

Can diabetics drink soft drinks?

Dr. Rupal says, "All kinds of carbonated beverages have lots of calories. And in diet versions also, artificial sweeteners are present in a very high amount. A glass of soft drinks contains lots of sugar with no proteins and fats. This spikes the blood sugar in your body.

Studies reveal that a high amount of artificial sweeteners are not at all healthy (which is being added in the diet version). It can impact your gut health. So, any type of soft drink is a big NO for diabetes patients.”

Jaggery, sugar, or honey – What is best for diabetics?

Dr. Rupal expresses, “If your blood sugar is under control then you can have little jaggery (organic jaggery or any jaggery) but if your blood sugar is not under control, you should avoid consuming jaggery, sugar, or honey. Jaggery and honey may have some nutritional content but a diabetic patient is not advised to take any of them without checking the relevant parameters.”

The ideal plate for diabetes patients 

Dr. Rupal describes, “Before eating any meal, find out if there is a source of fiber and proteins in it.

Fiber source – Fruits, vegetables, wheat, bajra, jowar chapati

Proteins source – Dairy products (milk, paneer, curd), pulses and dals, nuts and soybeans, lean pieces of chicken and fish.

Most of us office goers take chapati and sabji for their lunch. But this meal doesn’t contain any protein source. So, for proteins, you can add moong sprouts or a bowl of curd, or a lean piece of chicken. Adding a bowl of salad as a source of fiber will balance your meal.” 

Impact of chapati on blood sugar

Dr. Rupal concludes, “Rice is not the only source of carbohydrate, chapati is also a good source. So, if you are taking 3-4-5 chapati, your blood sugar is likely to rise. So, here the important factor to keep blood sugar under control is the quantity or the portion control and whether you are having it with proteins and fibers or not. You need to have an adequate amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for a well-balanced diet.”

(Edited by Renu Gupta)