Sugar-Free Options for Diabetes
You will need to cut down on your sugar intake if you have type 2 diabetes. However, sugar-free food may still have an effect on a person’s blood glucose.
“Sugar-free” means that a food item does not contain added sugar, but the product itself can contain carbohydrates, which impact blood glucose levels.
One example of this is sugar alcohols. Manufacturers often use these low calorie sweeteners in sugar-free chewing gum, candy, ice cream, and fruit spreads. Examples include:
- Xylitol [5]
- Erythritol
- Sorbitol
- Maltitol
These are types of carbohydrates and can raise blood glucose levels.
You may want to opt for sugar substitutes. In most cases, one serving of a sugar substitute will have little impact on blood glucose levels.
Common sugar substitutes include:
- Saccharin
- Neotame
- Aspartame
- Sucralose
- Stevia
- Advantame