For most people, satisfying a sweet tooth can be as simple as picking your favorite treat. For people with diabetes, choosing a sweet treat can be a little more complicated − but experts say you don’t need to bid adieu to candy just yet.
“The occasional piece of candy can absolutely fit into a healthy, balanced lifestyle for someone living with diabetes,” said Sarah Hormachea, a diabetes care and education specialist.
When a person eats or drinks carbohydrates, the body breaks it down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. In people with diabetes, the body can’t effectively manage glucose, making it important to keep blood glucose levels within a healthy target range.
Candy contains carbohydrates, primarily from added sugar, and can cause
glucose spikes. This doesn’t mean candy can’t be a part of your diet, but it does mean a person with diabetes needs to be more mindful about how candy fits into their overall eating plan.
“The biggest risk of consuming excessive amounts of candy is that it can displace more nourishing foods that support energy and metabolic health, including foods rich in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals,” Hormachea said.
When candy becomes a replacement for quality carbohydrates like starchy vegetables, beans, lentils, fruits, whole grains, milk and yogurt, glucose management can be difficult.
Toby Smithson, a senior manager of nutrition and wellness at the American Diabetes Association, said paying attention to how frequently you eat candy and how much you eat − particularly how many carbohydrates are in a serving − is key.
What type of candy is best?
Not all candy is created equal.
The amount and type of candy − whether it contains nuts, chocolate, protein or other sources of fat − can determine how quickly the body digests and absorbs it.
Hard candies and candies without nuts or chocolate are digested and absorbed very quickly, often raising blood glucose levels within about 15 minutes. Because of this rapid effect, some candies can be used to treat low blood sugar.
On the other hand, candies that contain chocolate, nuts or other sources of fat digest more slowly. These candies may not raise blood glucose as quickly, Smithson said, but they can still have a “significant impact” on blood glucose levels.
“If you’re going to have candy, I’d rather see something that contains some protein or fat alongside the sugar,” Hormachea said. A peanut butter cup or Snickers, she said, is better than sugar-based candies like Smarties, Life Savers, Pixy Stix or Jolly Ranchers.
Are there substitutes for candy?
There are many alternatives to traditional candy, including sugar-free options and fruit, which contain carbohydrates but also deliver fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Still, experts caution that sugar-free doesn’t necessarily mean better. Some of those options still contain carbohydrates and the other ingredients that can lead to an uncomfortable experience after eating.
“Many use sugar alcohols like sorbitol, which can cause bloating, gas or diarrhea when consumed in larger amounts,” Hormachea said, adding that some sugar alcohols have potential health risks. “I’d much rather someone enjoy a favorite candy occasionally and in a small portion, or choose something sweet that brings more nutritional value to the table, like fruit, nuts or a combination of fruit with dark chocolate or cocoa.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is there any candy for diabetics?
