All fruits (fresh, frozen, dried, and canned without added sugar) have carbohydrates and fructose (a form of natural sugar), which, in turn, raise your blood sugar levels. But, however, fruits contain vitamins, minerals, and powerful plant compounds called phytochemicals. Because they have carbohydrates, fruits will raise your blood sugar. So it’s important to count the carbs you eat and balance them with medicine, diet, and lifestyle choices.

For example, you get 15 grams of carbs from:

• 1/2 medium apple or banana
• 1 cup blackberries or raspberries
• 3/4 cup blueberries
• 1 1/4 cup whole strawberries
• 1 cup cubed honeydew melon
• 1/8 cup raisins

Sugar in fruit and added sugar are not the same thing. the sugars in fruit are packed less densely than in a candy bar. When people eat something sweet, they usually have a spike in blood sugar levels. Fruits generally cause a lower spike than sweets, making it less dangerous for people with diabetes to monitor their sugar levels. A can of soda, for example, has about 40 grams of sugar and no protein, minerals, and fiber. A serving of fruit, by contrast, usually contains no more than 20 grams of sugar, has fiber, and has nutrients like vitamin C. Berries, oranges, peaches, apricots, apples are the healthiest fruits for people with diabetes.