Yes, children and adults with diabetes can and do eat candy. The key is moderation and making sure you keep track of the amount of carbohydrates and calories you eat. Sugar-free candies may improve blood sugar levels, but they still contain carbohydrates and calories. Sugar substitutes don't affect blood sugar levels.
In fact, most artificial sweeteners are considered free foods. Gluten-free foods contain less than 20 calories and 5 grams or less of carbohydrates, and they don't count as calories or carbohydrates in a diabetes-related exchange. However, remember that other ingredients in foods that contain artificial sweeteners can affect your blood sugar level. Sugar-free candies have some advantages compared to sugar-sweetened candies, but the advantages are limited.
While sugar-free candies still have some carbohydrates, studies have shown that they have a less significant effect on blood sugar levels. Your healthcare provider can best determine how much sugar you can safely consume and what factors candy can take into account. Sugar-free candies use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes to create a sweet taste while avoiding real sugar. Sugar-free options in premade foods and ingredients can be useful alternatives for people who limit their sugar intake to reduce cravings, help with weight loss, or because of diabetes.
Not only do inclusive sugar-free options have fewer limitations, but it's also easier to make treats for yourself or others with store-bought sugar alternatives. They offer many flavors of chocolate chips, bars and sugar-free candies made with non-nutritive sweeteners of natural origin and natural colors such as red beet, turmeric, radish and spirulina. Even homemade desserts, drinks and sauces can be prepared with sugar-free sweeteners, such as erythritol, stevia, monk fruit and allulose, as homemade sugar-free treats for any day of the week. When looking for a sugar-free alternative, you'll find a variety of sweeteners to choose from.
So, what are the best types of candy for people with diabetes? Sugar-free products, with the approval of your doctor, are an excellent choice for any diabetic who wants to control their consumption of sugar, carbohydrates and calories. People with diabetes should continue to consume any candy in moderation and talk to their doctor about any specific concerns. People with diabetes no longer have a limited choice of sweets, thanks to easy-to-find sugar-free versions with fewer calories.
