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Sweeteners advice for diabetics

Sections:

Unsuitable sweeteners | Suitable sweeteners | Cooking |  Diabetic foods | Low sugar foods

 

Unsuitable sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners can be used in your diet if you require a substitute for sugar.

Some sweeteners are not recommended and include:

  • Sugar
  • Sucrose
  • Glucose
  • Glucose Syrup
  • Lactose
  • Dextrose
  • Fructose
  • Sorbitol
  • Sweet 'N' Low
  • Sionon


Suitable sweeteners

Sweeteners currently permitted for use in food in the UK are:
Saccharin Natrena, Saxin, Hermesetas tablets, Hermesetas and Sweetex liquid. 
Aspartame Canderel, Flix and Shapers tablets, Canderel, Shapers powder.
Acesulfame K Hermesetas Gold tablets, Diamin powder.
Thaumatin Incorporated into many manufactured foods.

Some sweeteners are combinations, eg Sweetex powder is a mixture of aspartame and saccharin.

To avoid exceeding the acceptable daily intake of any sweetener it is recommended that you should vary the type of sweetener used. Use as little artificial sweetener as possible.

  • Use tablet or liquid sweeteners for drinks.
  • Use powdered/tablet/liquid sweeteners for puddings, cereals stewed fruit etc.

 

Cooking

Prolonged heating of artificial sweetener can affect the sweetness and produce a bitter after-taste. Whenever possible add sweeteners after cooking.

Ordinary sugar can be used in home baked products if some simple rules are followed:

  • Total quantity of sugar should be limited to 25 g (1 oz)/day and should be spread over the day.
  • It should only be included in a diet that is low in fat and high in fibre and where the diabetes is well controlled.
  • Whenever possible recipes should be adapted to reduce fat content.
  • Many recipes for baked items can have the sugar content reduced by half, without affecting the product, although it will reduce in keeping time.
  • Your Dietitian can advise you on suitable cakes to include in your diet.
  • DO NOT use sugar in drinks, on cereals or in puddings.

 

Diabetic foods

Diabetic foods are not recommended and should not be included in your diet. This includes diabetic sweets and chocolates.

 

Low sugar foods

Low sugar varieties of everyday food are acceptable for you to eat as part of your diet.

Examples are:

  • Fruit - tinned in juice
  • Sugar free squash and fizzy drinks, eg "Diet", "One Cal", "Slimline"
  • Sugar free jelly
  • Sugar reduced jams and marmalades and pure fruit spreads
  • Low sugar yoghurts and Fromage Frais (eg "Diet", "Lite", low calorie types)
  • Sugar free instant desserts
  • Reduced sugar canned milk puddings