Berries, Apples, and Other Non-starchy Fruits (Prediabetes)

One of my favorite times of year is the berry season. It begins about June and continues until the fall. During that time you have a choice of raspberries, strawberries, loganberries, currants, gooseberries, cranberries, lingonberries, and my granddaughter’s favorite: blueberries.
A cup of berries packs a lot nutrition and fiber for very few kilocalories (less than 100). You get substances called phytochemicals and flavonoids that fight cancer. You get other substances that help your vision. The substance that gives blueberries their color, called anthocyanin, has been shown to prolong the mental capacity of laboratory animals and may do the same in humans.
You are much better off getting your berries at the source or at a farmer’s market than in the supermarket. In terms of taste, the closer you are to where the berries are grown, the better. If you can find a place where you can pick your own, that’s ideal. (My granddaughter tastes every other berry, so picking our own becomes especially economical.)
Out of season, frozen berries are an excellent choice. They also last a lot longer than fresh berries.
Don’t forget apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, grapes, and other non-starchy fruits. They are full of fiber, have few kilocalories, and make wonderful desserts. The banana is a starchy fruit, so limit yourself to half a banana at a time.