Fruits Ranked for Type 2 Diabetes

🍎 Fruits Ranked for Type 2 Diabetes

RankFruit (1 cup / medium piece)Carbs (g)Fiber (g)GIGLNotesSeason
🥇 1Strawberries123413Very low carb & GL, excellent choice.Mid-April – Early June
🥈 2Blackberries147254High fiber, very blood sugar friendly.June – August
🥉 3Raspberries158324Excellent fiber-to-carb ratio.June – August
4Blueberries214536Moderate carbs but low GL; rich in antioxidants.May – July
5Cranberries1214452Very low sugar; tart flavor; excellent antioxidant source.October – December
6Apples254366Low GI, high fiber, good daily option.Late August – November
7Cherries243206Low GI & GL, anthocyanins support insulin sensitivity.Late May – June
8Figs243357Naturally sweet but low GI; contain potassium, calcium, and antioxidants.July – October
9Pears286387High fiber, moderate impact.August – October/November
10Oranges153435Citrus is low GL, rich in vitamin C.November – May
11Peaches152424Sweet but gentle on blood sugar.June – September
12Kiwi265507Good fiber, vitamin C boost.October – May
13Plums162405Low-moderate GL; watch portion.June – September
14Banana2735113Higher GL; better if underripe & paired with protein/fat.Year-round
15Grapes271.55916Higher GI & GL; best eaten sparingly.August – October
16Watermelon111765High GI but low GL due to water content; watch portion.June – August
17Pineapple2225910Moderate GL; spikes sugar more than berries/citrus.March – July
18Mango2535112Tropical fruit, higher GL—limit servings.May – September
19Prunes (dried)2532910Low GI, but high in natural sugar and carbs, so GL rises quickly.Year-round
20Dried fruit11566443Very high sugar density, avoid or use sparingly.Year-round


🔎 Key Insights

  • Best fruits (Rank 1–6): Berries, apples, cherries → low GI & GL, fiber-rich.
  • Good/moderate choices (7–11): Figs, pears, citrus, peaches, kiwi, plums.
  • Limit (12–17): Bananas, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, mango, dried fruit → higher GL, can spike sugar quickly.


🍏 Diabetes-Friendly Fruit Cheat Sheet

✅ Eat More (Best Choices)

(Low GI/GL, fiber-rich, least impact on blood sugar)

  • Berries: Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries
  • Cranberries (cooked w/ sugar substitute)
  • Apples
  • Cherries

⚖️ Eat Moderately

(Good nutrients, but watch portions — moderate impact)

  • Figs
  • Pears
  • Oranges & other citrus
  • Peaches
  • Kiwi
  • Plums
  • Watermelon (low GL but high GI — small servings best)

🚫 Limit

(Higher glycemic load, spikes sugar more easily)

  • Bananas
  • Grapes
  • Pineapple
  • Mango
  • Prunes (dried plums)
  • Dried fruit (raisins, dates, etc.)


👉 Tips for Type 2 Diabetes:

  • Keep fruit servings to about ½–1 cup or 1 medium piece.
  • Pair fruit with protein or healthy fat (e.g., nuts, cheese, Greek yogurt) to slow absorption.
  • Fresh or frozen fruit is best; avoid canned in syrup or sweetened dried fruit.


Strawberries

Blackberries

Raspberries

Blueberries

Cranberries (cooked w/ sugar substitute)

Apples

Cherries

Figs

Pears

Oranges

Peaches

Kiwi

Plums

Bananas

Grapes

Watermelon

Pineapple

Mango

Prunes (dried plums)

Dried fruit (raisins, dates, etc.)