Get to know your Mango
Although some individuals can have allergies to the mango flesh, the mango’s skin is most often the culprit. The most commonly consumed part of the mango fruit (the pulp or flesh) does not contain urushiol. You can avoid coming in contact with urushiol by having someone else cut the fruit or by wearing thick non-latex gloves when preparing and slicing the mango.
Additionally, although labeled with a low/undetermined degree of association, some people who report sensitivity to latex may have adverse reactions to mango skin. Latex is a milky fluid that secretes from rubber trees, or Heveabrasiliensis, when the plant is cut. It is used to make medical supplies, gloves, rubber bands, balloons, and toys. According to the American Latex Association, some of the same proteins from latex are also found in fruits, which may cause the allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
The main goal of a diabetic friendly diet is to help keep blood sugar levels controlled. Carbohydrates provide energy and essential nutrients to the body, however they do have a greater impact on blood sugar levels than either protein or fat.
For individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, controlling portion size when eating fruit is key for managing blood sugar levels.
In summary, while no foods are off-limits for individuals with diabetes, portion control and carbohydrate intake is key to managing blood sugar levels.
100 calories
1 gram of protein
0 grams of fat
25 grams of carbohydrates
3 grams of fiber (12% of daily needs)
No sodium or cholesterol
100% of daily vitamin C needs
35% of vitamin A needs
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Preliminary studies have found mango consumption linked to blood glucose control, cancer protection, and digestive health.
SOURCES:
United States Department of Agriculture. Choose My Plate. All About the Fruit Goup. Accessed June, 9, 2016. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/fruit
American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Basics; Diabetes Myths. Accessed June 13, 2016. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/myths/?loc=db-slabnav
Wang S. O’Connell B. Ready, Set, Starting Counting! Diabetes Care and Educated Dietetic Practice Group. American Dietetic Association. 2011.
American Diabetes Association. Fruits. Accessed June 13, 2016. http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/fruits.html
Evans S, Meister M, Mahmood M, et al., Mango Supplementation Improves Blood Glucose in Obese Individuals. Nutrition and Metabolic Insights. 2014. 7. 77-84.
United States Department of Agriculture. USDA Food Composition Databases. Accessed June 13,2016. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search
2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Appendix 7. Nutritional Goals for Age-Sex Groups Based on Dietary Reference Intakes and Dietary Guidelines Recommendations. Table A7-1. Daily Nutritional Goals for Age-Sex Groups Based on Dietary Reference Intakes and Dietary Guidelines Recommendations. Accessed June 14, 2016.
Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate. Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (2002/2005). Accessed July 26, 2016. http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Activity%20Files/Nutrition/DRIs/DRI_Macronutrients.pdf
Boeing H, Bechthold A, Bub A, et al,. Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases. European Journal of Nutrition. 2012; 51(6): 637-663.
Bellevia A, Larsson S, Bottai, et al. Fruit and vegetable consumption and all-cause mortality: a dose-response analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2013; 98(2):454-459.
Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in US adults: the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2002; 76(1): 93-99.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Can Reaction to Poison Ivy Cause Mango Allergy? Accessed June 14, 2016. http://acaai.org/resources/connect/ask-allergist/can-reaction-poison-ivy-cause-mango-allergy
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Classification for Kingdom Plantae Down to Family Anacardiaceae. Accessed June 14, 2016. http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=display&classid=Anacardiaceae
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Plant Guide. MANGO. Accessed June 14, 2016. http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_main3.pdf
American Latex Allergy Association. Tips to Remember: Latex Allergy. Created by the Public Education Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Updated 2003. Accessed June 16, 2016. http://latexallergyresources.org/articles/tips-remember-latex-allergy
American Latex Allergy Association. Latex Cross-reactive foods Fact Sheet. Tom Grier for Latex Allergy 101. Updated 10.8.2015. Accessed June 16, 2016. http://latexallergyresources.org/latex-cross-reactive-foods-fact-sheet