Strawberry For Diabetes

Strawberries also tend to be high in natural sugar. Often diabetics wonder if they should include this fruit in their diet. Strawberries might be high in sugar but are also categorized as low-glycemic index foods.

Strawberries are a great addition to the regular diet for diabetics. A cup full of strawberries gives about 6 g of carbohydrates, which makes it perfect food to add to everyday meals for diabetics. Strawberries also contain many flavonoids and antioxidants that considerably increase its health benefits. It can improve immunity, cancer fighting ability and improve metabolism, which in turn, helps you lose weight. Weight management is important while tackling diabetes. A lot of research is being done on how to use strawberries effectively in treatments for many other ailments.

Nutritional Composition Of Strawberries

• 49 calories
• 0.5 g fat
• 1.5mg sodium
• No cholesterol
• 232.6 mg potassium
• 11.7 g carbohydrates
• 1 g protein

You will also find large quantities of vitamin A and vitamin C in strawberries. Trace amounts of phyto-nutrients like anthocyanins, flavanols, tannins and hydroxyl-benzoic acids are present in strawberries. These ingredients increase the anti-inflammatory properties of strawberries. If you do not have access to fresh strawberries always, frozen or canned (without syrup) are also good options. You should avoid eating strawberries steeped in syrup or part of calorific desserts. More on health benefits of  strawberries

Strawberries And Type 2 Diabetes

Inclusion of strawberries and the control of type 2 diabetes have been linked. The carbohydrate content of strawberries is so high that the natural sugar is not detrimental to people suffering from type 2 diabetes.

Strawberries are also known to contain fisetin. Fisetin is one of the naturally occurring flavonoids in strawberries. This particular flavonoid enhances the body’s abilities to absorb vitamin C, prevents the blood cells from rupturing and prevents excessive inflammation. Research is currently on to see if fisetin can be used in medications for controlling sugar. Kidneys tend to get affected by long term untreated diabetes. Fisetin has been effective in controlling kidney deterioration. However, like any experimental treatment, there is still the need for scientific evidence.

Strawberry Cake Recipe For Diabetics

There are different ways for a diabetic to include strawberries in their meals. You can add strawberries to salads, cereals and pancakes. There are even pies and cakes that can be made with fresh strawberries.

Here is one really popular strawberry cake recipe for diabetic:

• ½ cup strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1 ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla essence

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Centigrade.
2. Sift flour and half the sugar in a bowl. Add the baking soda and set aside.
3. Beat egg whites with the remaining sugar until stiff in a separate, clean bowl.
4. Fold in the flour and sugar mixture.
5. Then fold in the vanilla and strawberries.
6. Pour batter into a greased tin and bake till a skewer inserted comes out clean.
7. Once the cake has cooked and cooled, cut and serve with additional strawberries.

This cake is made from whole wheat, making it a healthier alternative as compared to a cake made from plain white flour. If the strawberries are seasonal, you might want to reduce the sugar that you add to the flour too.