Sugar and Sugar Substitutes – Trick Or Treat

Sugar All carbohydrates, both complex and simple (like sugars), affect blood sugar. While complex carbohydrates raise blood sugar slower and simple sugars can more easily spike blood sugar, the most important factor for those with diabetes is the total amount of carbohydrate you consume. Diabetes educators agree that sugars, including white, brown, powdered, honey, syrups, molasses and fructose can all be included in your meal planning. For any healthy diet, the American Dietary Guidelines recommend no more than 8 to 10 teaspoons per day of added sugars. Moreover, the added sugar content of candy, sodas, and desserts can cause you to easily exceed the recommendations of both the dietary guidelines and your carbohydrate-conscious diet. A small-sized Halloween treat bag or bar averages 2 to 3 teaspoons of added sugar (and 10 grams of carbohydrate), a single chocolate bar has 6 to 7 teaspoons (22 to 30 grams of carbs), and single serving package of Skittles has whopping 11 teaspoons of sugar (45 grams of carbs). In order to healthfully consume foods with sugar:

• Keep added sugars to a minimum. Eat small portions and make it a once in a while treat.
• Be sure to keep track of your total carbohydrates. If you must have a sugary treat, be sure to switch out other carbohydrates in your meal plan.
• When possible, satisfy your sweet tooth without added sugar. Fresh fruit is naturally sweet and contains fiber as well as vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients that are good for your health.

Sugar Alternatives Sugar alternatives or substitutes can help offer the treat without the “trick.” For candies, gums and mints, the most commonly used substitutes are sugar alcohols. Ironically, sugar alcohols contain neither sugar nor alcohol. Produced from other carbohydrates, sugar alcohols contain fewer calories and are not digested like other sugars — resulting in less impact on your blood sugar. Some common sugar alcohols or “-ols” are mannitol, maltitol, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, lactitol, and isomalt. Sugar substitutes such as sucralose (Splenda), aspartame (Equal and NutraSweet), saccharin (Sweet ‘n Low), acesulfame potassium (Sweet One), and stevia (a food supplement) can also allow you to enjoy the sweet taste you love without the effects of sugar (as do reduced/no-calorie blends like Diabi-sweet). These sugar substitutes are used to cut back the sugar content in packaged goods and are easily recognized in supermarkets and on tabletops in their yellow, blue, and pink packaging. Whichever you choose, the FDA, the American Dietetic Association, and the American Diabetes Association consider all of them safe and effective replacements for sugar. When including any sugar alternative in your diet, remember:

• Carbohydrates and calories still count. “No-sugar” does not mean no carbs or calories!
• For sugar alcohols, you may subtract one-half the grams of sugar alcohol listed on the food label from the carbohydrates. (Less than 5 grams of sugar alcohol is considered “free.”)
• Be sure to eat foods with sugar alcohols in moderation, especially until you are sure of your personal tolerance limits. GI distress and a laxative effect can occur with excessive consumption. (Extra caution should be taken with children and sugar alcohol; erythritol has the least side effects for both kids and adults.)
• Hot and cold beverages are perfect places to switch out sugar with sugar substitutes.
• When cooking or baking, be sure to use a “baking blend” or a sugar substitute such as sucralose (Splenda) that can withstand high temperatures.

Healthy Low Sugar Treats! Substituting “empty” sugar calories with sugar alternatives and no-added sugar treats can make it easier to keep your diabetes diet in check. Satisfying your sweet tooth with homemade good-for-you treats is even better!

Halloween is a great time to enjoy my Spicy (but not scary) Pumpkin Muffins or Creamy Instant Pumpkin Mousse, both delectably low in sugar and packed with the goodness of fiber and nutrient-rich pumpkin puree.

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