Good Sugar Substitutes For Diabetes

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

Diabetes has many effects on the body, but one thing it doesn’t change is your sweet tooth. The challenge for many people with diabetes is satisfying that love for sugary goodness from time to time when they need to keep such a watchful eye on their blood sugar levels.

But grocery shelves are full of artificial sweeteners and products containing them that can take care of those cravings without affecting blood sugar levels. But not all artificial sweeteners are the same, and as you shop for packets of sweetener or treats made with them, here are some facts and differences to know.

Difference Between Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners

Sugars, including brown sugar, cane sugar, confectioners’ sugar, fructose, honey, and molasses, are naturally occurring carbohydrates. They all contain calories and raise blood glucose levels.

Some reduced-calorie sweeteners are made of sugar alcohols. With names like isomalt, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol, you may find them on the labels of sugar-free candy and gum. They have about half the calories of natural sugars, and while they can raise your blood glucose levels, they won’t do so as much as other carbs.

But lab-designed artificial sweeteners are considered “free foods” that contain no calories and will not raise blood sugar levels.

Types of Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners include:

  • Sold under such familiar names as Sweet’N Low or Sugar Twin, you can use saccharin in hot and cold foods, but pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid this sweetener.
  • Sweeteners such as NutraSweet and Equal are made of aspartame and can be used in cold and warm foods, but people who have a condition called phenylketonuria should avoid aspartame.
  • Acesulfame potassium or ace-K (Sweet One, Swiss Sweet, Sunett). You can use it in cold and hot foods, including baking and cooking.
  • Sucralose (Splenda). You can use it in hot and cold foods, including baking and cooking. Processed foods often contain it.
  • Advantame is an artificial sweetener that can be used in baked goods, soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages, candies, chewing gum, frozen desserts, frostings, gelatins and puddings, jams and jellies, processed fruits and fruit juices, toppings, and syrups.

Keep Your Blood Sugar In Check With CGM

Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, keeping blood glucose levels as close to your target level as possible is a critical element of diabetes management. One way to ensure that you keep your blood levels in check is through Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). It is a tested, approved, accurate, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes monitor keep abreast of their blood sugar levels 24/7 without any need to stop what their doing to take a blood sample.

Speak with your doctor and contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

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If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading