There are very few people who can deny they enjoy the taste of sweets. Candy, cake, cookies, and pies all seem to excite the senses. A healthy diet can certainly include sweets. It's all about moderation. Many people choose artifical sweetners as a way to decrease the amount of sugar they eat. People with diabetes are no exception.

Can people with diabetes eat sugar?
If people with diabetes eat "sugar-free" foods, are they considered "free foods?"
What artifical sweetners are best to use?

Can people with diabetes eat sugar?

People with diabetes must monitor the amount of carbohydrate ("carbs") they eat. The carbohydrate from fruits, vegetables, and breads and cereals, is no different than the carbohydrate from sugar. People with diabetes may count the carbohydrate from sweets like they would count it from any other carb containing food. But, since foods high in sugar also tend to be high in fat and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber, no one should make a habit of substituting fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with sweets.

If people with diabetes eat "sugar-free" foods, are they considered "free foods?"

No. Sugar-free foods are not always calorie-free and many still contain carbohydrate. Read the food label to check the calorie and carbohydrate content. Be aware that protein and fat also provide calories. When you eat more calories than you need, even from protein or fat, the extra gets stored as body fat.

What artifical sweetners are best to use?

Low-calorie sweetners

• Saccharin (Sweet N Low, Sugar Twin)
• Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal)
• Acesulfame potassium (Sweet One, Swiss Sweet, Sunett)
• Sucralose (SPLENDA)
• All of the above EXCEPT Aspartame are good to use in hot foods. High temperatures reduce its sweetness.

• Isomalt, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol are sugar alcohols.
• They are found in sugar-free candies, chewing gum, and desserts. Compared to other carbohydrates or sugar, they have about half the calories.
• Because sugar alcohols are not absorbed in our intestine, they may cause diarrhea if a person eats too much at one time. Consume with caution!

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association. Sweetners and Deserts.