Fruit is good for you – it contains fibre and other nutrients you need. But it also has natural sugar, and some have more than others. For example, one mango has a whopping 45 grams of sugar, so it’s not your best choice if you’re trying to watch how much sugar you eat. Following are some more offenders and better choices as well.
Grapes: A cup of these has about 23 grams sugar. That’s a lot for something that’s so easy to pop in your mouth.
Cherries: They’re sweet, and a cup of them has 18 grams. If you fill up a large bowl with them, you can lose track of how many you eat.
Pears: One medium pear has 17 grams of sugar. If you’re trying to cut back, don’t eat the whole thing.
Figs: Two medium-size ones have 16 grams. If you’re trying to keep an eye on your sugar, maybe slice a couple and spread some goat cheese on them for a protein-rich treat.
Bananas: One medium banana has 14 grams sugar. You can slice half of it into your morning cereal or smash a small piece in the middle of your peanut butter sandwich.
Fruits With Less Sugar: Your Better Choices
Avocados: A whole avocado has only half a gram of sugar, but while they’re low in sugar, they’re high in calories.
Guavas: Each one has 5 grams of sugar and about 3 grams of fibre – and that’s more than you’d get from a serving of brown rice or a slice of whole-grain bread.
Raspberries: These pack a serious punch of fibre with 8 grams per cup and only 5 grams of sugar. The fibre is good for digestion and can help you feel fuller with fewer calories.
Cantaloupe: It’s surprising that the flavour and satisfaction packed in a single medium wedge can come from only 5 grams of sugar and only 23 calories.
Papayas: Half of a small one has 6 grams of sugar and is plenty to eat at one time.
Strawberries: A cup of whole strawberries has only 7 grams of sugar. Add them to a salad for some vibrant colour.
So keep these numbers in mind the next time you’re shopping in the produce department for your choice of fruit. And speaking of sugar, when was your last checkup? If it’s been awhile, call us today to schedule your next appointment.
