Can anyone tell me if there is excess sugar in bananas?

[Bobbisox]

I am asking this because Bill it Type 2 Diabetic, his sugar levels were high at Christmas but we put that down to being away and drinking alcohol more than usual, GP wanted to increase his tablets but both Bill and the GP decided to give it 3 months and see what he was after that, he has not ate a biscuit , chocolate or anything like that in those three months but appears to be eating a tremendous amount of bananas and I was wondering whether he was satisfying some sugar craving, he has to see the GP next week to see how he's done
thanks
Bobbi

[Ratty2E]

All fruit has natural sugar in it called fructose, but it's still sugar. Eating too much fruit will be as bad as eating too much of anything. I'm not sure what a 'tremendous' amount is but maybe he should cut down on them a bit it might make a difference.

[Ratty2E]

......just checked apparently bananas are very high in carbs so I would definately only eat them in moderation if you are diabetic.

[Mamyalynne]

Some info here but do not know if it what you need, is there a daily amount of sugar allowed?

http://www.fitandtrim.../calories_banana.html

[RATTER15]

this may help: http://www.thefruitpages.com/contents.shtml

[pastafreak]

Bananas are quite high in carbs-which translate to sugar
A low carb diet is being shown to be better for diabetics...but most doctors are still very 'old school'-and encourage carbs for diabetics.

[Sqad]

Bobbi.....bananas are a NO! No!.

Now what are his blood sugars now..........3 months after Xmas?

[Sqad]

P.S I guess he is taking Metformin.........what dose? how often?

[looobylooo]

hi bobbi,
yeah i too would say that it was the banannas that were contributing to bills elevated sugar levels.
im type 2 and i steer clear of them, i just have one now and again.
(how many was he eating a day?)

'berries' are the best fruits for diabetics.
i buy bags of mixed frozen berries from aldi or tesco, only £1.39 for 500g,
and i have a dish of those at night if i fancy something nice, theyre lovely :o)

does bill check his levels often, ie, before eating and 2 hours after etc, before going to sleep and waking?
if he does frequent checks like that, he can get a better idea of what foods have what impact on his blood sugars.

let us know how hes doing :o)

[Bobbisox]

thanks to you all for the answers,
sqad, he has to go next week to see his GP, will let you know
once again, thank you all x

[Sqad]

Bobbi....surely he tests his own blood sugars at home.

[Bobbisox]

yes he does sqad and I have just this minute asked him when he last did this and he said a couple of days ago, I asked what it was and he said it was 9! far too high I said, Why he hasn't said anything is beyond me , I think he knows he will have to have more meds now when he sees our GP, I have tried "nagging" him into being a little less of a fruit eater, even saying he will end being insulin dependant, he has shed almost a stone and a half and now weighs about 13st 5llb, he is 6ft 2 and is very active for someone going on 70 in June, always walking infarct we laugh at him and say You can take the man out of the RAF but not the RAF out of the man, he almost marches when he walks...LOL
I am admitting though, I am a bit worried about this, not the marching :-)
but the blood sugar levels

[starone]

Bobbi - being insulin dependent is a different ball-game altogether. If he can get his sugar level down with his diet and tablets and exercise it will be much better for him.

[Bobbisox]

Morning Star, he is on tablets now and always managed to stay at between 5 and 7 but his blood sugar is starting to hit 9 which isn't good at all

[Sqad]

bobbi........9mmols/ml is high.

He needs to cut out the alcohol and test his blood sugar.......before breakfast, mid afternoon. The blood sugar is almost always highest in the morning.
You havent answered my question re. dosage, but would bet he is on Metformin 850mgms twice daily.

His days of drinking with the "boys" is over...........he will probably need Insulin by injection.

[Bobbisox]

Morning sqad, he takes 80mg of Gliclazide twice a day

[Sqad]

Bobbi...that SEEMS a maximum dose. Do his blood sugars as I indicated and let me know the results in 3 days.

[Bobbisox]

I will sqad, now he knows I am onto him..LOL

[Sqad]

LOL....How about coming onto ME ;-)

[Bobbisox]

you old smoothie..ha-ha

[Khandro]

Bananas are very high in potassium, and this can conflict with several forms of medication (for hypertension etc.), it might be worth checking this line.