Why Shouldn't You Eat Fruit in the Morning?

Fruit may be a staple of a healthy breakfast, however, eating fruit in the morning may not be beneficial for people with certain types of medical conditions. People diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes will have higher-than-normal fasting blood sugar levels in the morning. Fruits high in carbohydrates will push those blood sugar levels higher. People who have stomachs that are sensitive to the acids in food may also want to avoid eating highly acidic fruits in the morning.

A child enjoys watermelon in the afternoon. (Image: Design Pics/Kelly Redinger/Design Pics/Getty Images)

Prediabetes

A person is diagnosed with prediabetes or impaired glucose tolerance if his blood sugar level is in the range of 100 to 125 mg/dL in the morning before eating breakfast. A diagnosis of prediabetes may serve as a warning to switch to a healthier diet. However, prediabetics may not be given medications at this point to lower their blood sugar levels, and fruits high in carbohydrates may push their after-breakfast blood sugar levels very high.

Diabetics

A person is diagnosed as a diabetic when her fasting blood sugar is 126 mg/dL or higher. Many diabetics experience what is known as the "dawn phenomenon," wherein hormones are released into the bloodstream to stimulate the liver to release glucose between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. A diabetic's body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin properly to keep the glucose in check, resulting in high morning blood sugar levels. High carbohydrate fruits will push these blood sugar levels even higher still.

Fruits to Avoid

Any fruit high in carbohydrates will raise morning blood sugar levels. Fruit juices are also high in carbohydrates and do not contain the benefit of fiber, which can help lower blood sugar levels. They also may not be 100-percent fruit juice and may have a large amount of sugar added to them. Dried fruits and canned fruits in high fructose corn syrup will also be higher in carbohydrates than fresh fruit.

High Acidity

A person's stomach is usually completely empty in the morning when he wakes up. If his stomach is easily irritated by high-acidic foods, eating some fruits on an empty stomach may be quite painful. High-acidic fruits include oranges, lemons, limes, carambola or star fruit, tamarind and grapefruit. Some berries may also be high in acid and cause stomach problems when eaten either alone or with other food in the morning for breakfast.