Consuming dietary sugars in excess may cause health problems in people with uncontrolled diabetes. However, the human body requires carbohydrates and sugars to function properly. When diabetics carefully plan their diets, it's OK to consume sugars as part of a healthy meal plan. Manage your diabetes with careful meal planning, weight control, regular blood glucose monitoring and exercise.
Background
Different types of diabetes exist. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body requires to move digested sugars from the blood stream into cells in the body to be used for energy. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or is unable to properly utilize the insulin. Both types of diabetes can cause high blood sugars, which over time can lead to problems with your eyes, nerves, heart and kidneys.
Sugar in Foods
Different types of sugars are found in a variety of carbohydrate-containing foods and can affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Foods that can increase your blood sugar levels include breads and grains, rice, pasta, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn and peas, legumes, fruits, juices, milk, candy, and other types of sweets and desserts.
Considerations
Not all sugars are created equal. The glycemic index, or GI, of a food measures how it affects your blood sugar levels. High GI foods can raise your blood sugar more than lower GI foods. However, according to the American Diabetes Association, research has shown that the total amount of carbohydrate in foods affects blood glucose more than their glycemic index.
Carbohydrate Counting
Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars in the body. Carbohydrate counting is often recommended to help diabetics control their blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes-related complications. Carbohydrate counting often involves using the exchange system for meal planning, spacing carbohydrate-containing food consumption evenly throughout the day and avoiding too many carbohydrates at one time to avoid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Concerns
Eating too much sugar can be harmful if you have diabetes because consuming excess calories can cause weight gain or prevent overweight individuals from losing weight. Type 2 diabetics who lose weight can help improve their blood sugar control, and, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, weight loss and exercise can help your body better respond to insulin.
