Diabetes and Low Calorie Sweeteners
In some instances it can be acceptable for diabetic people to eat a measure of food with sugar. The general viewpoint on sugar is that it can be used sensitively by diabetics who are not overweight , as long as it is included as part of a healthy diet. The diabetic diet need not completely exclude any food, nor does it need to be 100 per cent sugar free. Balance is the key.
Low-calorie sweeteners are sugar substitutes that have no calories and do not raise blood glucose levels through eating them, making them perfect for diabetic people. Low-cal sweeteners are neither carbohydrate, nor fat, and they don't fit any of the other categories of the diabetic exchange .Sweeteners can be added to a diabetic meal plan instead of exchanged.
There are several varieties of low-calorie sweetener approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and accepted by leading diabetes organisations such as the American Diabetes Association (ADA.) Diabetes UK takes the approach that low-calorie artificial sweeteners can be included as part of the diabetic diet, as long as the food they are eaten with does not itself contain high fat or calorie content.
What types of artificial sweetener are suitable for diabetics?
The following types of artificial sweetener are commercially available:
- Saccharin - Saccharin is often used in both hot and cold foods as an artificial sweetener. Saccharin, despite initial concerns over its carcinogenic affects, has been proven as a safe and effective sweetener. Famous brands include Sweet N Low.
- Aspartame - Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that can be better employed in cold foods. Depending on the type, higher temperatures can decrease its sweetening effects. Popular brands include NutraSweet and Equal.
- Acesulfame Potassium - Acesulfame potassium (also called acelsufame-K), is another type of low-calorie sweetener suitable for diabetes sufferers. The sweetener can be used in cooking because of its ability to resist heat. Sweet One and Swiss Sweet are both based around this sweetener.
- Sucralose - Sucralose is the most recent low-calorie sweetener around. The sweetener is not affected by heat and generally retains its sweetness in cooking or hot drinks. Splenda is based on Sucralose.
How do I know these sweeteners are safe for diabetics to use?
Low-calorie Sweeteners have been extensively tested and reviewed. People suffering from phenylketonuria should avoid aspartame, one type of sweetener. In general, artificial sweeteners are safe for everyone, including pregnant women and children.
What are the good and bad points when it comes to artificial sweeteners for diabetic people?
Low-calorie sweeteners generally have fewer calories, and as such can be good for overweight people, often type 2 diabetics , who are trying to lose weight. However, it is worth being aware of what the food you are eating contains - foods that contain low-calorie sweeteners are not necessarily low-calorie themselves. To stay on top of this, always check the nutrition information on the food label. Sugar-free foods do not always mean low calorie, so be on your guard for this.
Can I cook using low-calorie sweeteners?
Some low-calorie sweeteners make excellent additions to sweeten your recipes, and this can be a major aid for the diabetic diet. However, cooking with sugar does add more to food than just the sweetness, particularly when it comes to cakes and biscuits. Some diabetics prefer to use both sugar and sweetener, but you should stay aware of how this affects blood sugar levels at all times.
