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Article contributed by Ms Koh Pei Ling, Senior Dietitian at Admiralty Medical Centre.

Most Singaporeans enjoy durian and savour them, while some will fork out a large sum of money just to purchase them. When I close my eyes and conjure up the image of a ‘Mao Shan Wang’ otherwise known as the ‘King’ – a premium breed of durian, my mouth waters.

But reality check – if one is diagnosed with diabetes, does it mean the end of this treat for him?

There are many myths surrounding the idea of an ideal diet for people with diabetes. Let us explore five common myths:

1. You should not eat durian

Durians contain fructose – a type of fruit sugar, similarly found in other fruits. A small durian seed’s worth of flesh contains 8g of carbohydrate which includes sugar (taking up 6g). This means that 2 small seeds of durian is equivalent to an average slice of papaya or a small apple. Do be mindful of the amount of durians consumed. If you plan to consume a few seeds, go easy on the intake of other carbohydrate-rich food sources. You could eat 2-3 seeds at a time, and if desired, another 2 seeds a few hours later. Some individuals do not mind taking 2 seeds at a sitting (equivalent to 1 serving of fruit), keeping the balance in the fridge and savouring them the next day. This is a good method to ensure that one eats in moderation!

2. You can drink as much fruit juice as you want, as they contain ‘natural’ sugar

Fruit juices contain natural sugars – fructose, glucose and sucrose. These sugars impact our blood sugar levels too. In fact, fruit juices can be concentrated and may contain high amounts of sugar. Choose fresh fruits over fruit juice and take 2 servings of fruits a day, as part of a healthy balanced diet.

3. Brown rice contain lesser starch as compared to white rice

Brown rice does contain slightly lesser starch as compared to white rice, but the difference is minimal. Do choose brown rice as it is higher in fiber and Vitamin B complex. Its nutritional value and quality is also richer, as compared to white rice.

4. Noodles is a better choice as compared to rice

Egg noodles contain the same amount of starch as rice by volume. Rice noodles do contain slightly lesser starch than rice when compared by volume. However, you might still be consuming an equal amount or more starch, depending on the type of meal.For example, a plate of beef hor fun (rice noodles) contains higher starch compared to 1 bowl of rice (90g versus 60g) and also contains little fiber (vegetables). In addition, some of these noodle-meals are prepared with more oil and the cooking oil used is generally higher in saturated fat. This may contribute to a higher saturated fat intake. Thus, a recommended method in managing one’s diet is to adopt the My Healthy Plate concept and to portion manage each food group. Do choose whole-grains (brown rice, wholegrain noodles, buckwheat noodles, etc.), lean meats and include plenty of vegetables in your every meal.

5. You need to eat a very restrictive diet and yes, forget about that piece of cake, kueh or tau sar piah. NO!

You can live well with diabetes, eat a healthy balanced diet and still enjoy your favourite foods occasionally. Eat that tau sar piah if you like, but be mindful of quantity and frequency. Honour your body and health by choosing foods that are nutritious. Constant dieting or restrictive eating will lead to deprivation and may have negative effects on your overall well-being. Ditch the ‘good food’ and ‘bad food’ idea. Make peace with food by ensuring you maintain a healthy diet, while allowing yourself to enjoy some of your favourite foods in moderation.

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