What exactly is sucrose?
ANSWER: Sucrose is composed of two simple sugars—fructose and glucose—and provides approximately 4 calories per gram. It is commonly referred to as table sugar.
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Can I include sucrose in my diet since I dislike artificial sweeteners?
ANSWER: The American Diabetes Association has changed its nutritional recommendations about sugar. They have stated that scientific evidence has shown that the controlled use of sucrose as part of the meal plan does not impair blood glucose control in individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, you need to work sugar into the meal plan that you have set up with your dietitian. Sugar is not a "free food." It counts as a carbohydrate.
When you choose to eat foods that contain sugar, you need to substitute them for carbohydrate foods in your meal plan.
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Why doesn’t saccharin affect blood sugar levels?
ANSWER: Saccharin has been used to sweeten foods and beverages without calories or carbohydrates for over a century. Saccharin is not metabolized; it passes through the body unchanged.
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Is it safe to consume foods every day that contain saccharin in them?
ANSWER: Yes. Considerable saccharin research indicates it is safe. The average user of saccharin ingests less than one ounce of the sweetener each year. For more information on saccharin visit www.saccharin.org.
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What is aspartame?
ANSWER: Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener with a sugar-like taste that is approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose). Aspartame can reduce or replace the sugar and calories in foods and beverages while maintaining great taste.
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How does the body metabolize aspartame?
ANSWER: Aspartame is broken down by the body into its components -- two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and a small amount of methanol. People who have the rare disease phenylketonuria, or PKU, know not to eat or drink anything with phenylalanine. Products made with aspartame require a special disclosure to alert people with phenylketonuria.
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How safe is it to consume aspartame?
ANSWER: After FDA approval, extensive additional research was conducted with aspartame, which further confirmed its safety for the general population. In fact, aspartame has been tested for more than three decades, in more than 200 studies, with the same result: aspartame is safe. For more information on aspartame visit www.aspartame.org.
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What is neotame?
ANSWER: Neotame is a no-calorie sweetener, composed of two amino acids (building blocks of protein), aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Neotame is sweeter than other no-calorie sweeteners. It is approximately 30-40 times sweeter than aspartame, and 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sugar.
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How does the body break down neotame?
ANSWER: Neotame is metabolized and eliminated by the body via normal biological processes. Products made with neotame require no special labeling for phenylketonuria.
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Is neotame approved by the Food and Drug Administration?
ANSWER: Yes, the FDA approved the use of neotame as a general-purpose sweetener in July 2002. People of all ages, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, teens and children, and people with diabetes, can enjoy products sweetened with neotame while maintaining a healthful diet. For further information on neotame, visit www.neotame.com.
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What is acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K or ace K)?
ANSWER: Acesulfame potassium is a low-calorie sweetener, also called acesulfame K and sold commercially as Sweet One. This sweetener can be used in all baking and cooking.
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How does it affect blood sugar levels?
ANSWER: Studies have shown that acesulfame K has no effect on blood glucose, cholesterol or triglycerides. People with diabetes may incorporate products containing acesulfame K into their balanced diet.
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I heard this acesulfame K is not safe for humans. Is this true?
ANSWER: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration permitted the use of acesulfame K after evaluating numerous studies and determining it is safe.
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What is Splenda/sucralose?
ANSWER: Sucralose, sold commercially as Splenda, is the only non-caloric sweetener made from sugar. Sucralose can be used anywhere sugar can be used, such as in beverages, baked goods, and processed foods.
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Since sucralose is made from sugar it must not be good for a person with diabetes to use.
ANSWER: Sucralose is not utilized for energy in the body because it is not broken down like sucrose. It passes rapidly through the body virtually unchanged. Studies in persons with normal blood glucose levels and in persons with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes have confirmed that sucralose has no effect on short- or long-term blood glucose control.
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Since it’s so new, has it been thoroughly tested?
ANSWER: The safety of sucralose is documented by one of the most extensive and thorough safety testing programs ever conducted on a new food additive. More than 100 studies conducted and evaluated over a 20-year period clearly demonstrate the safety of sucralose.
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Do sugar alcohols (sugar replacers, or polyols) affect blood sugar levels?
ANSWER: Compared to sucrose (or table sugar), sugar alcohols (polyols) do trigger a more moderate increase in blood sugar and insulin levels. Many foods that are labeled "dietetic," "sugar free" and "no sugar added" contain sugar alcohols. People with diabetes may mistakenly think that these foods will have no effect on their blood sugars. If you do consume foods that are labeled "dietetic," "sugar free" or "no sugar added," be sure to check the label for sugar alcohols. Since some people typically overeat "sugar free" or "no sugar added" foods, their blood sugar may be significantly elevated. So be sure to account for the calorie and carbohydrate content in these foods in your overall meal plan.
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Can I eat as many "sugar free" foods as I want?
ANSWER: No. The American Diabetes Association states that sugar alcohols, which are found in many "sugar free" products, are acceptable in a moderate amount but should not be eaten in excess. Most people with diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes, have found that there is a rise in their blood sugar if sugar alcohols are eaten in large amounts.
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Should sugar alcohols be calculated as part of my meal plan?
ANSWER: Yes, although sugar alcohols do not have the same impact on blood sugar levels and insulin response as traditional carbohydrates (sugars and starches). The reason sugar alcohols have a reduced effect on blood sugar is primarily because they are digested only about half as well. On average, they provide about 2 calories per gram instead of the usual 4 calories per gram of carbohydrates, although some, like glycerin, provide about 4 calories/gram as well.
A registered dietitian can help you with meal planning to meet your individual needs. For a registered dietitian in your area, call 1 800/877-1600 extension 5000 or visit www.eatright.org and click on Find a Nutrition Professional on the home page.
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Aren’t sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners the same?
ANSWER: No. One difference between these two types of sugar substitutes is that the artificial sweeteners contain zero calories whereas sugar alcohols contain, on average, about 2.6 calories per gram. In terms of diabetes management, consider that artificial sweeteners do not contain carbohydrates, so they do not cause blood sugar to rise, whereas sugar alcohols have some effect on blood sugar. Both can be useful in diabetes management when used properly.
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