Written by Catherine Saxelby
on Friday, 07 June 2013.
Tagged: carbohydrates, diabetes, diabetes type 2, diets, glycemic index, health, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, low GI, sugar, sweetener
The question in full
Q. I've had type 2 diabetes for 15 years. When I was first diagnosed I was told no sugar was permitted and I had to use sweetener. Now why is it now OK for me to have sugar?
A. In recent years, there has been a relaxation of the restriction of sugar for people with diabetes for three main reasons:
The bottom line is sugar does not have to be avoided completely if you have diabetes, although you don't want to have huge amounts. Sugar still contributes extra kilojoules which make losing excess weight more difficult, but you don't have to use sugar substitutes (sweeteners like aspartame or stevia).
If consumed as part of a meal (like a dessert or jam on toast), sugar is unlikely to push up blood sugars, although sugar on an empty stomach (say a soft drink between meals) will have an effect.
Download my free Fact Sheet on Sugar: how much you should eat and where you'll find it.
© 2024 Foodwatch Australia. All rights reserved
Author photo by Kate Williams
Website by Joomstore eCommerce