Sugar is Okay for People with Diabetes

Sugar is okay for people with diabetes if it is part of a meal plan, but it must be substituted for other carbohydrate foods.

Focus on the total amount of carbohydrates that you eat rather than on whether it comes from starch or sugar. Certain factors affect the way your blood sugar responds to sugars and starches.

When you eat sweets, observe whether other foods are eaten at the same time, how quickly you eat, how the food was prepared (baked, fried, etc.), and the amount of protein and fat in the food.

Measure your blood sugar between one and two hours after eating and note the effect sugar has on it.

Use this information to track your food habits and preferences and to make decisions about including sweets in your meal plan.