The Myth About Sugar Free Foods
If you suffer from Diabetes then you know that keeping track of the sugar in foods you consume is critical to your health. It is a daily process of controlling blood sugar levels. There are many processed snacks such as cookies, soda, and chewing gum that you want to eat, but are unable to due to your diabetes. Many food companies have created sugar free foods as a substitute for people with diabetes. If you think that these sugar free foods will have no effect on your blood sugar level then think again!
The alarming news is that sugar free foods may have the same effect as sugar foods. How can this be true? Food manufacturers use sugar alcohol instead of sugar in an attempt to minimize the effect of the food on your blood sugar level. Sugar alcohol is a sugar substitute that has roughly 50% fewer calories than regular sugar. Sugar alcohols are derived from natural foods including fruits.
Sugar alcohols help lower blood sugar levels because they are converted to glucose at a much slower rate. Therefore, they don’t cause a spike in your blood sugar level like sugar. Plus, sugar alcohols can be metabolized with very little insulin, if any at all.
Many people with diabetes are often confused by the sugar free labeling on processed foods. They automatically assume that they can eat this food because it won’t affect their blood sugar level. They do not understand that sugar free means that the product has sugar alcohols and is still a significant source of carbohydrates. Therefore, if they consume this product they will have trouble lowering their blood sugar levels.
Another negative side effect of sugar free foods is that you can experience bloating and diarrhea as sugar alcohols can mimic the effects of laxatives. These negative effects are amplified when you over indulge in these sugar free foods.
The key is to be able to read the food labels on the sugar free food products. The food label contains valuable information that diabetes sufferers need to examine to help control their blood sugar levels. The food label will list Nutrition Facts. First, it is critical to note the serving size. Serving sizes can differ and if you only focus on the calories, fat, etc. you may have a false perception of the food.
The key areas to examine are the Total Carbohydrate and sugar alcohols as these have the most profound effect on your blood sugar levels. Sugar free foods will list the sugar alcohols used. Examples of sugar alcohols include: sorbitol, mannitol, isomalt, xylitol, lactitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. A free food is one that has fewer than 20 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrate. Check to see if the food fits these guidelines to help you determine how it will affect your blood sugar level and how much you should consume.
Essentially every person with diabetes should realize that sugar free foods may have a similar effect on their blood sugar levels as that of sugar foods. Be informed and read the food labels to ensure that you are controlling your blood sugar levels.
Julia Hanf
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-myth-about-sugar-free-foods-120779.html
March 10 2010 07:20 pm | blood sugar control
March 10th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
need help finding certain foods?
I need your help finding foods that exhibit nearly no nutritional value, and without sugar, like sugar free jello; or a protein food such as tofu. I would even consider flavored Styrofoam, if I could make it safe…ha….ha….
As a side thought, I heard an urban myth about a plane crash and the people that survived, ate the only food available, namely berries. supposedly they died of hunger on a full stomach, the berries had the nutritional value of air.
March 11th, 2010 at 12:22 am
Can’t help you with that. Celery comes close. You sound like a beginner that isn’t sure where to go from here. Honestly, I think you should get this book: http://www.diabetesimprovement.com/diabetesbook.html
You’ll find that you want lots of nutrition and that some sugar isn’t all that bad. Where most diabetics have problems is keeping their carbs in check. I eat lots and lots of vegetables, get all the nutrition I need, keep my weight and sugar down, and feel great.
References :
March 11th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Why are you looking for foods with nearly no nutritional value. This question was posted int he diabetes category.
If you do indeed have diabetes and even if you do not have diabetes you should be concentrating on a healthy diet, not non-nutritional food.
You an see a dietitian or writ back here if you need more information such as the need to know abut nutrition.
References :
March 11th, 2010 at 12:26 am
Gear’n to
http://www.healthsinfo.com
get diet plans.
References :
March 11th, 2010 at 12:28 am
celery, pale green head lettuce, they are fiber and water. most of the fiber is not useful to the bod.
Safe as in what? If you make your snacks 30% fat, 30% protein, and 30% carbs, it will absorb more slowly and not spike your BG levels!
I am sure that was only an urban myth. I have never found any berries or anything else that was total nutritional air!
References :
http://www.mendosa.com has glycemic index and glycemic load