Sugar Free Products and Diabetes - Diabetes Message Board

olhjoh · 12-16-2002, 02:35 PM

Someone told me that sugar free substitutes are just as bad for the body as sugars if you have diabetes, is this true?

pburgbeanie · 12-16-2002, 02:42 PM

Hi. I don't believe totally that they are "bad" for you, but, like anything in life, moderation seems to be the key.

I read a lot about this a few months ago and checked several websites. Most told me that this was a complete myth. I have to say, some of the stuff out there on the subject is really off the wall.

I was drinking lots of diet coke every day. I cut out the soda and now drink mostly water, coffee or tea and some iced tea that is sweetened with nutra-sweet. I feel a lot better now, but who knows? I think you have to "experiment" for a little while and find out what you are comfortable with. Good luck.

Lady^ · 12-17-2002, 06:53 AM

It depends on the product. A sugar free soda will not affect a diabetics blood sugar too much. A sugar free cookie will. You have to look at the grams of carbs, not the grams of sugar.

Persiphone · 12-17-2002, 01:28 PM

Sometimes I'm really suspect when people say things about sugar-free products.

My 14 year old has Type One. If she wants a can of soda, she has to drink a diet soda.

One day one of my mom's friends told her (in my presence) that drinking the diet soda was probably what caused her diabetes in the first place. Then she pulled out of her briefcase a bunch of "evidence" from websites that supported her point of view.

As a previous poster said, everything in moderation. Obviously if you drink a 12-pack of diet soda a day, that can't be good for you. But I honestly don't believe one or two sodas a day and some Equal or Splenda on your cereal is bad for you.

Marie55 · 12-19-2002, 10:33 PM

I agree, it is the total "carb" count that is important when it comes to "sugar-free" foods. When I look at a pkg. of sugar-free cookies or other items I find the carbs are too high for me to indulge in. I am not willing to give up healthy foods in order to eat junk foods.

Marie