How Much is Too Much?
One of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes is being overweight, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain. However, research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association recommends that people limit their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent diabetes.
In the past, people with diabetes were told to completely avoid sugar. Experts thought that eating sugar would heavily raise blood-glucose levels. Research has now shown that while the type of carbohydrate can affect how quickly blood- glucose levels rise, the total amount of carbohydrate you eat affects overall blood-glucose levels more than the type. Now experts agree that you can substitute small amounts of sugar for other carbohydrate-containing foods into your meal plan and still keep your blood-glucose levels on track. If you’re on rapid-acting insulin taken before meals, you may need to adjust your dose for meals or snacks containing more simple sugars.
That doesn’t mean you can eat all the sugar you want. Most sweets contain a large amount of carbohydrate in a very small serving, so be sure to have a small serving. Talk with your doctor about the appropriate amount of sweets for your diet.
—Source: American Diabetes Association
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, April 2014
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