Can Diabetics Eat Sweet Foods?

Diabetics (diabetics) will generally avoid sweet foods for fear of rising blood sugar. In fact, diabetics eating sweet foods is not a ban, as long as they still pay attention to a few rules. Check out the following explanation.

Diabetics Eat Sweet Foods, Is It Safe?

Diabetics should pay more attention to their daily food intake, especially foods that contain carbohydrates and sugar.

Even reportedly, sweet foods for diabetics should be avoided altogether. But actually, can diabetics eat sweet foods?

Previously, you need to know that the sugar that enters the body will be counted as carbohydrates. Now,this sugar is included in simple carbohydrates.

After the sugar (glucose) is absorbed by the body, a hormone called insulin will instruct the cells to absorb glucose from the blood.

Unfortunately, the body of diabetics does not produce enough insulin to absorb the blood glucose. Problems with absorbing blood sugar in diabetes also occur because the body’s cells do not respond quickly to hormones. This condition then makes blood sugar levels soar.

Also Read: 11 Healthy Foods that Are Safe Rice Substitutes for Diabetics

Even though the body doesn’t work optimally when digesting sugar, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consume it at all. In fact, sweet foods can be consumed by diabetics, as long as you pay close attention to how to consume them.

In addition, it is possible that sugar intake is still needed by the body, considering that sugar that enters the body generally comes from carbohydrates.

Now,, if you don’t consume food sources that contain carbohydrates, there are various health risks that can occur. One problem that is very likely to be experienced is a lack of energy. This condition can of course hinder daily activities.

Therefore, sweet foods for diabetes may be consumed while paying attention to several things.

Tips for Consuming Sweet Foods for Diabetics

The body with diabetes is no longer able to control blood sugar levels normally. Therefore, the consumption of sweet foods should be paid more attention.

The reason is, eating sweet foods has the potential to cause spikes in blood sugar which can lead to serious complications.

Here are some tips for people with diabetes if you want to eat sweet foods:

1. Limit Portions and Frequency

Diabetics can indeed eat sweet foods. However, this doesn’t mean you can consume it freely.

Diabetics are advised to eat foods that contain sugar in moderate portions. In addition, it is important to keep the frequency of eating sweet foods not too frequent.

Regarding how many grams of sugar for diabetes are safe, the maximum recommended amount is 30 grams for adults. This amount is equivalent to seven teaspoons.

You can first consult a doctor to find out the maximum limit of sugar consumption per day according to your health condition.

2. Check Consumption of Other Foods

Before consuming sweet foods, pay attention to other foods that you have consumed before.

For example, if you previously ate large portions of high-calorie foods, eat less sweets.

However, even if you just ate a little before, as much as possible avoid consuming too much sweet food afterwards.

3. Choose Healthy Food

Instead of consuming high-calorie sugary foods such as candy, cakes, biscuits and high-sugar chocolate, eat healthy sweets if you have a sweet tooth.

There are many healthy snack options for diabetics, such as dark chocolate, fruit, Greek yogurt, and smoothies.

4. Replace Regular Sugar with Artificial Sweeteners

The sweet foods you eat can come from a variety of sugars. Now,so that your intake of sweet foods remains safe, replace regular sugar with artificial sweeteners.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six types of artificial sweeteners that are safe for diabetics, including:

• Aspartame.
• Acesulfame K (acesulfame potassium).
• Saccharin.
• Sucralose.
• Neotama.
• Advantame.

Apart from that, you can also replace regular sugar with stevia. This natural sweetener is 200-350 times sweeter than regular sugar and contains zero calories.

5. Pay attention to daily carbohydrate intake

Carbohydrates absorbed by the body will be converted into sugar. Therefore, diabetics are advised to limit their consumption.

Reducing carbohydrate intake will prevent excess calories from entering the body. That way, sugar levels in the blood can be controlled properly.

Don’t forget to add foods that contain fiber and protein to it so that you are full longer.

Also Read: Diabetics Consume Brown Sugar, Is It Really Safer?

6. Check the Food Packaging Labels

It is permissible for diabetics to eat sweet foods, as long as they pay close attention to the label first. Pay attention to how many calories and sugar are contained in it.

In addition, you can also check the sugar content in food to monitor how much sugar intake has been consumed.

Now,now you already know that sweet foods should not be consumed carelessly by people with diabetes, given the health risks they cause.

If you really want to eat sweet foods, you can pay attention to some of the tips above. Don’t forget to combine it with regular exercise.

If it is still difficult to avoid consuming sweet foods, consult your doctor regarding a safe amount for consumption.

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