For people with diabetes, controlling your blood sugar is an important and often difficult task. While eliminating sweets entirely from your diet is not necessary, low-glycemic-index sweeteners such as agave nectar can be a good substitute for...
Even if you have diabetes, you can still consume sweet-tasting food and beverages without risking your health. It is just a matter of knowing which sweeteners are safe and do not spike your blood sugar levels. Along with this, safe also means...
People with diabetes used to be warned against eating food and desserts with added sugar; however, the American Diabetes Association indicates that this is no longer true. Diabetics can indulge in a little honey or other type of sugar from time to...
People living with diabetes mellitus experience high blood sugar levels caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin or deficient production of insulin. Diabetes management involves limiting dietary sugar intake to prevent abnormal blood sugar...
Despite being natural, honey is not necessarily healthier for diabetics than sugar. The nutrients in sugar and honey are about the same, and a teaspoon of honey has slightly more calories and carbohydrates than sugar; a teaspoon of honey has...
The American Diabetes Association says 24 million Americans have diabetes, an all-time high. Diabetics are encouraged to consume diet products in order to curb sugar intake. The most common diet sweeteners are aspartame, marketed as NutraSweet and...
Artificial sweeteners can replace sugar to sweeten a variety of foods and beverages. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes do not have to completely forgo all added sugar. You may include artificial sweeteners on a...
Artificial sweeteners are non-nutritive alternatives to sugar. These sweeteners are generally at least 30 times sweeter than sugar. Some examples of sweeteners in use in the United States include saccharin, acesulfame-K, sucralose, aspartame,...
Desserts are not always diabetic-friendly. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes is a disease characterized by your body's inability to manage glucose and insulin levels. Because sugar affects glucose and insulin management, you should avoid...
If you have diabetes, you know that you don't have to eliminate sugar from your diet completely -- but you do need to be smart about how much sugar you eat. Though most sugar breaks down in the body the same way, some less refined sugars,...
Living with diabetes requires an awareness of carbohydrate food sources. Oftentimes, people forget that beverages include carbohydrates, sometimes in large quantity. For example, 1/2 cup of orange juice provides 15 g of carbohydrate. Avoiding...
Leaves from the stevia plant are a diabetic-safe, low-calorie sweetener that is 100 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose. Stevia is consumed around the world and has no safety concerns regarding its use, according to Drugs.com. It is a zone 9...
You don't have to miss out on the simple and enjoyable experience of brewing your own root beer at home just because you're diabetic. Sucralose, an artificial sweetener that's derived from sugar, can be used in place of sugar in root beer recipes....
Having diabetes can make you feel as if you are on a severely restricted diet. For many, diabetes means giving up some of your favorite foods and desserts. The high carbohydrate and sugar content of certain foods can cause a spike in glucose,...
A diabetic diet requires careful monitoring of carbohydrate intake, which causes blood sugar to rise. High blood sugar, called hyperglycemia, and low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, should be avoided, which is essential to diabetic health....
People who suffer from diabetes often turn to sugar substitutes so that they can enjoy sweets without damaging their blood sugar levels and, in some cases, consume fewer calories and better manage their weight. According to experts at the Mayo...
Stevia is an herb that is native to Paraguay and Brazil. Stevia has a natural sweetness that allows it to be used as a sweetener in many beverages and food items. Stevia extract is available in both liquid and powder forms. Stevia powder is...
The glycemic index measures the impact of foods on blood sugar and insulin levels in the body. Foods lower on the glycemic index have a reduced effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. Low-glycemic sweeteners will raise your blood sugar less than...
Type 2 diabetes, also called adult onset diabetes, is a condition that affects how your body uses its available glucose. The glucose level in your food rises after a meal, causing your pancreas to produce insulin and distribute it into your...
Foods that can cause gas and bloating include legumes, milk products, vegetables, fruits, grains, high-fat or fried foods and carbonated beverages. The carbohydrates in foods, both simple and complex sugars, are the most common culprits. However,...
Having diabetes does not necessarily mean that you have to give up your favorite sweets. With careful planning, you can still enjoy small portions of sweets, including fudge, on rare or special occasions. However, your daily diabetes diet should...
Whether you have diabetes or are simply trying to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, using a sugar substitute might be a good idea. Not all sugar substitutes are calorie-free. For example, honey can be used in recipes in place of plain white...
Glycerin is an organic compound known more formally as glycerol. Its common sources are animal fat and vegetable oil. Glycerin is a clear, odorless liquid at room temperature and it has a sweet taste. It's most commonly used in soap and is also a...
There are many popular myths about diabetes. One of these is that diabetics are banned from cake and cookies for life -- a truly dreadful fate for any child. The truth is, your child does not have to give up all his favorite sweets and treats, you...
Cranberries are often sold partially dehydrated and sometimes powdered. Dried cranberries contain potent chemicals, some of which have been found in the scientific literature to promote health. However, consult your doctor before trying to...
There is no recommended daily intake that is specific to oatmeal, but adding it to your well-balanced diet offers many health benefits due to the nutrients it contains. Oatmeal makes a healthy meal or snack and will fill you up and give you energy...
Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean that you can't enjoy sweets. Desserts can still fit into diabetic diets, if you make them fit. The key is to use sweeteners to achieve the taste of the dessert, while still keeping your blood sugar...
For some people, the meal is not over until the dessert has been eaten. But for people with diabetes, limiting excess sugars and carbohydrates is vital to their health. With a little knowledge and some self-control, dessert can fit into anyone's...
If you count calories and pay attention to what you eat but don't include your beverage intake, you could be sabotaging an otherwise healthy diet. While water is always a healthy option, understanding the nutritional qualities of other drinks can...
Natural sweeteners can be a good source of vitamins and minerals if you're looking to avoid processed sugars. Learn how to pick a sweet and healthy alternative in this shopping video.
