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What To Do When You’re Diabetic But Have A Sweet Tooth?

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you cannot satisfy your sugar cravings. Sometimes you just need desserts, especially when some sugar can raise your spirits. With simple swaps and easy daily adjustments, you can consume desserts without increasing your blood sugar level. How? You need to control your daily sugar intake by thinking creatively about your food choices.

What Happens When You Consume Sugary Foods?

Foods rich in carbohydrates contain some form of sugar, fibres and starch. To digest sugar, our body breaks it down to glucose. This glucose is then transported to body cells to produce energy. This ”transporter” is called Insulin – it moves glucose from the blood to body cells.

However, if you have diabetes, you do not have sufficient insulin. This increases glucose in the blood. Excess insulin can cause serious problems like heart disease, vision problems, kidney disease and stroke.

But there is a catch. The amount of sugar you are consuming depends on the amount and type of carbohydrates you are eating. Most sweets, cakes, candies and cookies have a high level of added sugars and unsaturated/unhealthy fats. Such foods can spike your blood sugar level. This is why you must avoid foods with extra sugar, unhealthy fats and high levels of sodium.

Can Patients with Diabetes Satisfy Their Sugar Cravings?

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetics can consume sweets in a controlled way along with a well-balanced diet. Keep your body weight in check and regulate your everyday sugar intake. Regularly check your blood sugar level.

You cannot cut out sugar from your diet completely. If you do so, it would increase your cravings. So, plan a healthy diet and treat yourself with sweets intermittently. 

How Can Diabetics Indulge in Sweet Treats?

Here’s how you can regulate daily sugar consumption without setting off alarms:

Conclusion

A healthier portion of sweets and desserts for diabetics can be a part of a balanced diet, even for people with diabetes. But you must keep an eye on your daily sugar and meal carbohydrate intake. If you are having trouble controlling your daily sugar intake or have any doubts regarding it, consult a health care professional and a registered dietitian.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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Ref

  1. https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/healthy-food-choices-made-easy
  2. https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/eating-well/fruit
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