If you have diabetes, your body either does not produce insulin or is unable to use it properly. When the hormone insulin is not available, the glucose that is created from the food you eat is not able to enter the cells to be used for fuel. This allows blood glucose or blood sugar levels to get too high. Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can lead to blindness, heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, amputations and many other complications. Diet plays a large role in managing diabetes and this includes being careful about the type of sugar substitutes you use.
Sugar Substitutes
Sugar substitute is a general term used for any product that is used in place of table sugar. Types of sugar substitutes include artificial sweeteners that are manufactured. Sugar alcohols, which are substances found naturally certain fruits and vegetables, can also be manufactured. There are also natural sweeteners such as honey and molasses. When it comes to managing diabetes, carbohydrates are the main type of food that can cause a rise and fall in blood sugar levels. While there is no single food that is off limits, some sugar substitutes contain carbohydrates so they need to be used with caution.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are produced from herbs and sometimes sugar itself. They are much sweeter than table sugar however, they contain no carbohydrates and zero to few calories. Artificial sweeteners that are approved for use by the FDA include Sunett, Sweet One, Equal, NutraSweet, SugarTwin, Sweet'N Low and Splenda. Since artificial sweeteners do not contain carbohydrates, they are a good choice for diabetics, because consuming them does not affect blood sugar levels, reports MayoClinic.com. Using artificial sweeteners in place of table sugar can also aid weight loss efforts which is also important for those with or at risk of diabetes. However, since each case is different, it is always best to check with your physician about the safety of consuming artificial sweeteners.
Sugar Alcohols
Sugar alcohols or polyols are carbohydrates found naturally in fruits and vegetables. They are called sugar alcohols because they have a chemical structure similar to both sugar and alcohol but they actually contain no alcohol. Common sugar alcohols that are added to foods and drinks include Erythritol, Isomalt, Lactitol, Maltitol, Mannitol, Sorbitol and Xylitol. Since sugar alcohols do contain carbohydrates they can affect your blood sugar levels, but they do not cause them to rise as much as table sugar does. A general rule is that if a product has less than 5 g of sugar alcohol per serving, it will usually only cause a very small effect on your blood glucose level, notes the FamilyDoctor.org website. However, every diabetic responds to food differently, so the only way to know how your blood sugar levels are affected, is to test yourself every time after using a sugar substitute.
Natural Sweeteners
Products considered natural sweeteners such as honey, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, cane sugar and others have no more nutritional value than table sugar. In addition natural sweeteners contain calories and carbohydrates, which means they can contribute to both weight gain and fluctuations in blood sugar levels. To help keep your blood sugar levels in check, you do not need to eliminate natural sweeteners or even table sugar, but you do need to keep track of how many grams of carbohydrates you consume. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating no more than 45 to 60 g of carbs at each meal. If a meal contains sugar or natural sweeteners, you may need to adjust the amount of other carbohydrates you are eating to stay within your allowed limit.
