Sugar & Sugar SubstitutesFor many years, people with diabetes were told to avoid sugar at all costs. It was thought that sugar would pass into the bloodstream faster and easier and would cause blood glucose levels to rise too quickly. More recent research has shown that all carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels the same way. A potato and a brownie, if they have the same number of carbohydrates, have about the same affect on blood glucose levels.
In terms of blood glucose control, all that matters is the number of carbohydrates in a food item. However, many sugary foods have a very high concentration of carbohydrates in a relatively small portion size. Look at the example of a potato versus the brownie. Because a brownie contains a lot of sugar, it doesn't take a very big piece to equal the same number of carbohydrates as a fairly large potato. Your child could eat a larger portion and thus feel less hungry if she chose the large potato over the small brownie. She would also gain the nutrients from the potato and avoid the fats in the brownie.
One option for allowing your child to enjoy more sweet foods is the use of sugar substitutes. Calorie-free sugar substitutes do not contain carbohydrates, so she can eat them without raising her blood glucose. However, some sugar substitutes do contain calories and carbohydrates. When choosing products with sugar substitutes, read the label. Even products labeled "sugar-free" can contain fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, which can affect blood glucose levels. Also, keep in mind that "fat-free" and "low-fat" products sometimes have a higher sugar content or special carbohydrates used as bulking agents. Always check the labels of products before you buy.
There is no reason, however, for your child to avoid all sugary foods. In the context of a healthy diet, an occasional candy bar or bowl of ice cream should cause no problems for her diabetes control. You do need to plan for the inclusion of sweets in her diet to ensure that she has enough insulin in her system to handle the carbohydrates in the sweets. You can work together with a dietitian to fit such treats into the insulin and eating schedule.
You may run into people who still think that people with diabetes can't eat sugar. There is also a myth that a person can "bring on" diabetes by eating too much sugar. This is not true. If your child is told this by acquaintances or relatives that mean well, reassure her that nothing she ate caused her diabetes. As much as you can, try to dispel such myths among people who have frequent contact with your child
In terms of blood glucose control, all that matters is the number of carbohydrates in a food item. However, many sugary foods have a very high concentration of carbohydrates in a relatively small portion size. Look at the example of a potato versus the brownie. Because a brownie contains a lot of sugar, it doesn't take a very big piece to equal the same number of carbohydrates as a fairly large potato. Your child could eat a larger portion and thus feel less hungry if she chose the large potato over the small brownie. She would also gain the nutrients from the potato and avoid the fats in the brownie.
One option for allowing your child to enjoy more sweet foods is the use of sugar substitutes. Calorie-free sugar substitutes do not contain carbohydrates, so she can eat them without raising her blood glucose. However, some sugar substitutes do contain calories and carbohydrates. When choosing products with sugar substitutes, read the label. Even products labeled "sugar-free" can contain fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, which can affect blood glucose levels. Also, keep in mind that "fat-free" and "low-fat" products sometimes have a higher sugar content or special carbohydrates used as bulking agents. Always check the labels of products before you buy.
There is no reason, however, for your child to avoid all sugary foods. In the context of a healthy diet, an occasional candy bar or bowl of ice cream should cause no problems for her diabetes control. You do need to plan for the inclusion of sweets in her diet to ensure that she has enough insulin in her system to handle the carbohydrates in the sweets. You can work together with a dietitian to fit such treats into the insulin and eating schedule.
You may run into people who still think that people with diabetes can't eat sugar. There is also a myth that a person can "bring on" diabetes by eating too much sugar. This is not true. If your child is told this by acquaintances or relatives that mean well, reassure her that nothing she ate caused her diabetes. As much as you can, try to dispel such myths among people who have frequent contact with your child
