I’m a 40-year-old man with Type 2 Diabetes. My blood glucose levels are well controlled with medications. Is it ok to have mangoes (raw or ripe)? If yes, could you please guide me on the portion size and the frequency for both?Yes, if you have Type 2 Diabetes and your blood glucose levels are well-controlled, you can enjoy mangoes (both raw and ripe), but portion control is crucial. It's best to consume mangoes only during their natural season and limit them to 1-2 times a week.To minimise blood glucose spikes, combine mangoes with a source of protein (e.g., nuts, seeds, yogurt) or fiber (e.g., chia seeds, flaxseeds, or vegetables), as this can slow glucose absorption. Despite their sweetness, mangoes have a low glycaemic index (below 55) due to their pectin fiber content.According to dietary guidelines for people with Diabetes, a single serving of fruit contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates. Here’s a guide for portion sizes for a small ripe mango, as per 1 carb size (15 gm carbohydrate) i.e., ½ cup or 2 slices of mango. For a small raw mango, as per 1 carb size (15 gm carbohydrate) i.e., ½ cup or 2 slices of mangoTherefore, it is advisable to have:• ½ cup or 2 slices of mango + a handful of nuts or seeds (almonds or chia seeds)• ½ cup or 2 slices of mango + ½ cup curd/yogurt + 1 teaspoon chia or flaxseedsIt is important to monitor your blood glucose levels before and after consuming mangoes (raw or ripe) to assess individual tolerance. Avoid adding sugar, honey, or jaggery to mango preparations. Mango should replace another carbohydrate- containing food in the meal to avoid spikes in blood glucose. Stick to the recommended portion sizes for safe consumption.Rutuja AinapureConsultant Nutritionist.I'm a 54 year old woman with Type 2 Diabetes. I'm currently on oral medication and insulin. Could you please guide me on how to manage my blood glucose levels when travelling overnight? Also, since I'm travelling to a hill station will I face any problems with regards to storing insulin? Please advise. Travelling and Diabetes do not affect one another. You should continue to take your treatment even during travelling in the same way as you do otherwise (not to forget your diet and exercise advice).Simultaneously, being on medications and insulin for Diabetes does not prevent you from travelling for business as well as leisure activities. Monitor your blood glucose levels with help of glucometer or continuous glucose monitoring devices and adjust dose of insulin and oral anti-diabetes medications accordingly. Eat meals /snacks on time to avoid hypoglycaemia during travels. Maintain hydration.Oral medications do not require any particular storing conditions (room temperature up to 30°C is okay) but be sure to carry sufficient stock of medications for your trip. You should also carry your prescription to be safe. Insulin does require some special care for storing. You can keep an open vial or pen fill (if you are using a pen device for insulin administration) at room temperature (i.e. below 28°C) for 4 weeks. If you have extra unopened vials or if you think your vial will not get over within 4 weeks, you should refrigerate them by keeping them in the door-side of the fridge. Special cool pouches to carry insulin at recommended temperature are available at medical stores. Don't forget to let the insulin come to room temperature before administrating it, if it is kept in the fridge.Happy travelling!Dr Manish BothaleConsultant Diabetologist
I’m a 40-year-old man with Type 2 Diabetes. My blood glucose levels are well controlled with medications. Is it ok to have mangoes (raw or ripe)? If yes, could you please guide me on the portion size and the frequency for both?Yes, if you have Type 2 Diabetes and your blood glucose levels are well-controlled, you can enjoy mangoes (both raw and ripe), but portion control is crucial. It's best to consume mangoes only during their natural season and limit them to 1-2 times a week.To minimise blood glucose spikes, combine mangoes with a source of protein (e.g., nuts, seeds, yogurt) or fiber (e.g., chia seeds, flaxseeds, or vegetables), as this can slow glucose absorption. Despite their sweetness, mangoes have a low glycaemic index (below 55) due to their pectin fiber content.According to dietary guidelines for people with Diabetes, a single serving of fruit contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates. Here’s a guide for portion sizes for a small ripe mango, as per 1 carb size (15 gm carbohydrate) i.e., ½ cup or 2 slices of mango. For a small raw mango, as per 1 carb size (15 gm carbohydrate) i.e., ½ cup or 2 slices of mangoTherefore, it is advisable to have:• ½ cup or 2 slices of mango + a handful of nuts or seeds (almonds or chia seeds)• ½ cup or 2 slices of mango + ½ cup curd/yogurt + 1 teaspoon chia or flaxseedsIt is important to monitor your blood glucose levels before and after consuming mangoes (raw or ripe) to assess individual tolerance. Avoid adding sugar, honey, or jaggery to mango preparations. Mango should replace another carbohydrate- containing food in the meal to avoid spikes in blood glucose. Stick to the recommended portion sizes for safe consumption.Rutuja AinapureConsultant Nutritionist.I'm a 54 year old woman with Type 2 Diabetes. I'm currently on oral medication and insulin. Could you please guide me on how to manage my blood glucose levels when travelling overnight? Also, since I'm travelling to a hill station will I face any problems with regards to storing insulin? Please advise. Travelling and Diabetes do not affect one another. You should continue to take your treatment even during travelling in the same way as you do otherwise (not to forget your diet and exercise advice).Simultaneously, being on medications and insulin for Diabetes does not prevent you from travelling for business as well as leisure activities. Monitor your blood glucose levels with help of glucometer or continuous glucose monitoring devices and adjust dose of insulin and oral anti-diabetes medications accordingly. Eat meals /snacks on time to avoid hypoglycaemia during travels. Maintain hydration.Oral medications do not require any particular storing conditions (room temperature up to 30°C is okay) but be sure to carry sufficient stock of medications for your trip. You should also carry your prescription to be safe. Insulin does require some special care for storing. You can keep an open vial or pen fill (if you are using a pen device for insulin administration) at room temperature (i.e. below 28°C) for 4 weeks. If you have extra unopened vials or if you think your vial will not get over within 4 weeks, you should refrigerate them by keeping them in the door-side of the fridge. Special cool pouches to carry insulin at recommended temperature are available at medical stores. Don't forget to let the insulin come to room temperature before administrating it, if it is kept in the fridge.Happy travelling!Dr Manish BothaleConsultant Diabetologist
