Could diabetes patients eat sweets? Of course allowed. Basically the purpose of eating arrangements diabetic patients is to lower blood sugar levels close to normal by balancing food intake. It's some kind of sugar should be avoided, but it is now available sugar substitutes minimal calorie content.
"The best suggestion is to use a very minimal sugar content in the diet of people with diabetes," says Keri Glassman, a nutritionist from New York. Products can be used as a sugar substitute option because in addition to offering a sweet taste, but also to control carbohydrate intake and blood glucose.
Type of sugar that should be avoided is pure sugar like table sugar, brown sugar, candy, chocolate, jam, honey, syrup, or sweetened condensed milk. Unlike sugar, artificial sweeteners created in a laboratory that contains no calories and does not raise blood sugar levels.
Several types of artificial sweeteners are safe for diabetics, among others:
1. Sucralose
This is kind of a non-nutritive sweetener that is right for diabetes patients. In addition, although sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar, but does not have the effect of raising blood sugar. Artificial sweeteners can be used in hot or cold food. Processed foods generally contain sugar.
2. Saccharin
Saccharin is the sweetener that contains no calories and about 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar. Although it may be an option for people with diabetes, but the study showed that intake of saccharin can lead to weight gain. Can be used for hot or cold food. But avoid this sweetener if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. Aspartame
Aspartame is a non-nutritive sweetener which is 200 times sweeter than sugar but contains no calories. Can be used for cold or warm food. In hot temperatures, the level of sweetness is reduced. Not everyone should consume this sweetener, those who suffer from the condition phenylketonuria is not recommended because it can lead to certain side effects.
4. Stevia
Stevia is a plant that can produce a sweet taste and rated better than sugar because it is free of calories. Stevia itself does not cause blood sugar to rise but is often combined with a sweetening agent pencurah so that the shape can be poured. It may also cause an increase in blood sugar.
5. Agave
Is derived from the sap of the agave plant is taken from. Although it is a form of sugar, but has a low glycemic index so absorbed in the body longer and does not cause blood sugar spikes. About twice the level of sweetness of regular sugar. Most agave syrup is available in the form that most nutritionists assess the sweetener high fructose, a simple sugar found in fruit.
Sugar alcohols or polyols are derived from natural fiber in fruits and vegetables. This sweetener contains carbohydrates that are grouped into a nutritive sweetener. Nevertheless calorie content of these sugars are low and can be selected as a sugar substitute.