Is pumpkin good for diabetics? (2024)

FAQs

Is pumpkin good for diabetics? ›

While pumpkin is a great pick for people with diabetes – it's high in fiber and vitamins but low in carbs – that shot of spice carries a lot of scary sweetness. The good news is, there are plenty of pumpkin recipes that capture that fall flavor without harming your health.

¹ Furthermore, pumpkin has a relatively low glycemic index (GI), typically in the low-GI category. This means that when consumed in moderation, pumpkin is less likely to cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it suitable for those with diabetes.

Pumpkin has a high GI at 75, but a low GL at 8 (7). This means that as long as you eat a single one-cup portion of pumpkin or less, it shouldn't significantly affect your blood sugar levels.

Most of a pumpkin's health benefits come from its vitamins and minerals, along with its low sugar and high fiber content. While there aren't many studies on pumpkin specifically, it's high in several nutrients that have established health benefits.

Households that take part in the Teal Pumpkin Project offer Halloween happiness to children managing a range of medical conditions, including tens of thousands of youngsters with diabetes.

However, it is important to realise that overconsumption of anything can be harmful to health. So, having a lot of pumpkins at once can cause a sudden spike in insulin and can be harmful for health. “Moreover, it can cause constipation,” she said.

Takeaway. A person with diabetes should include a variety of fresh, whole foods in their diet, such as nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized eating plan.

Sweet potatoes are known to be high in fiber and have a low glycemic index, which results in a less immediate impact on blood glucose levels. This can help people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels in check. Sweet potatoes can be: Baked or microwaved.

Heart-healthy eating consists of choosing foods that are low in fat, salt and sugar, but high in fiber. You can check off the box on all those when it comes to pumpkin. Per half-cup serving, canned pumpkin has almost no fat, practically no salt and no added sugar.

Can I eat pumpkin every day? ›

Is it good to eat pumpkin every day? You can eat pumpkin every day if you enjoy it. However, if you have kidney problems or are taking medications that affect your kidneys, talk to your doctor first before you start eating high amounts of pumpkin.

Sweet potatoes are richer in natural sugars and starches than most vegetables, making them higher in calories. One-half cup of sweet potatoes has about 90 calories compared to 30 to 40 calories in one-half cup of pumpkin or winter squash.

However, if you place the two in a side-by-side comparison, sweet potato generally outpaces pumpkin in its nutritional makeup from vitamin A to fiber to protein. While pumpkin is a light, low sugar option, sweet potatoes do more heavy lifting and will ultimately feed your body more essential nutrients.

Eat healthy plant foods

Fiber-rich foods promote weight loss and lower the risk of diabetes. Eat a variety of healthy, fiber-rich foods, which include: Fruits, such as tomatoes, peppers and fruit from trees. Nonstarchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli and cauliflower.

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

Water is the best all-round drink. If your family likes flavoured waters, make your own by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or strawberries.

In a 100-gram serving of cooked pumpkin, you'll find around 7 grams of carbohydrates, but hold your horses – there's fibre to the rescue! With 1.1 grams of fibre packed in there, we subtract that from the total carb count, leaving a net carb content of approximately 5.9 grams.

Heart-healthy eating consists of choosing foods that are low in fat, salt and sugar, but high in fiber. You can check off the box on all those when it comes to pumpkin. Per half-cup serving, canned pumpkin has almost no fat, practically no salt and no added sugar.