Can a Diabetic Eat Candy?

Ist it true: Can a diabetic eat candy or not?

Diabetes is a disease that affects the production or resistance to insulin, an essential hormone in the break down of sugar cells in the blood; so diabetics have been conditioned to see sugar as an enemy that has to be avoided by any means. This results in the common questions: Can a diabetic eat candy or not? While it is esential to resuce and elliminate some types of foods, diabetics can still enjoy some treats while staying in the boundaries of their blood sugar level objectives.

The general consensus always was that candy is a no-no for any type of diabetic, but can a diabetic eat candy? Well the answer is yes, as long as it is done with moderation. When you think of it, many fruits have a glycemic index way higher than certain types of foods that are considered high in sugar and bad for diabetics. Per example, watermelon and pineapples have a higher glycemic index higher than ice cream; who would've taught of that! So not only are people wrong for thinking that fruits are automatically a better choice than candy, but some types of fruits can actually be harmful to diabetics.

So how can a diabetic eat candy in moderation? Well the general guideline, as far as type 1 diabetics are concerned, is that any type of candy is ok as long as your blood sugar level remains around 100 on the glucometer. To stay within that zone, you will need some will power so you don't binge on candy every time you have the chance. If you have children, make sure you regiment the amount of candy they eat since they have a tendency to loose track of what they consume.

Another way diabetics can eat candy without worrying about their blood sugar level going through the roof is by eating sugar free candy. Some major companies have decided to cater to their diabetic consumers by offering sugar free alternatives to their regular products. One of these companies is Hershey, the world renowned chocolate manufacturer. They released sugar free versions of their most popular products, such as sugar free Reese's peanut butter cups, sugar free York's peppermint patties as well as sugar free Twizzlers and Jolly Ranchers.

You can also go with any type of candy that is sweetened using low calorie sweeteners or sugar alcohols. While sugar alcohols such as maltitol, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, erythritol, and lactitol may affect your blood sugar level to a certain extent, they will do it much slowly and to a much lower level than regular sugars.

So now that you know that diabetics can eat candy, make sure you keep in mind that moderation is the key. Be aware of your blood glucose level at all times and go for sugar free candy when you have the chance.