Diabetes and Sugarfree candy

Below is a question I received from FOODPICKER.org

Q: My doctor recently diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes. I know it is important to watch my sugar intake. Is sugarless candy really sugarless?

A: Most sugarless candies will have non-nutritive sweeteners or sugar alcohols (which are neither sugar nor alcohols) in them. But make sure you always read the label. The main things to look at are “Serving size” and   “Total Carbohydrates.” Compare one of the – candies to regular candy.  Sugar is just one type of carbohydrate, and while  the sugar might have been removed, there’s a good chance there are just as many, or more, carbohydrates as the regular candy and this could be dangerous.

Blood glucose levels are affected by carbohydrates. Carbohydrates turn into sugar in the body. This form of sugar is what fuels the cells of the body. Because diabetics have difficulty absorbing this into the cells, carbohydrates must be limited or else the body will be damaged by these high sugar levels.

It is easy to see why there is a misconception that sugar is the main culprit, but all types of carbohydrates (including sugar) should be considered.  Because of this, it is best to use your carbohydrate servings for nutrient dense foods like low-fat dairy, fruit, whole grains and starchy vegetables.

It’s still possible to have candy, but be sure to eat it in moderation and with a balanced meal to help slow the absorption of the sugar into the blood stream.

Buen Provecho!

Mandy Seay is a registered and licensed dietitian. She works as a nutrition consultant in Austin, Texas specializing in diabetes, weight loss, lipid control and preventative nutrition. For more health articles and nutrition information, check out Mandy’s website Nutritionistics.