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Diabetic nutrition of the patient is strictly controlled, so the diet is prepared with extreme care. Particular attention is paid to products that may contain sugar or easily digestible carbohydrates. They lead to the fact that the concentration of glucose in the blood rises. If you add to this the high-calorie foods, the patient's health is deteriorating to a large extent. As you know, diabetes is not recommended to eat sugar, so there is a need to look for alternative supplements. We’ll talk about them today.
Sweetener Selection
- Let's try to figure out together which of the sweeteners will benefit and which ones can significantly harm. Since diabetes is a fairly serious disease, often leading to obesity, the substitute calorie also affects the choice. The sweetener should be low in calories and beneficial at the same time. This classification includes sweeteners of the international standard aspartame and saccharin.
- The main positive feature of the presented sweeteners is their calorie content, which is 0. In the production of asphalt saccharin is obtained chemically, for this reason many people doubt their absolute safety for diabetics. According to the official version, these sugar substitutes are allowed to be taken with the ailment presented. But there are contraindications, in particular, bearing a child, breastfeeding, difficulties in the activity of the kidneys and liver.
- The main active ingredient is included in many other substitutes sold on the shelves of pharmacies and shops for diabetics. The drug "Surel" was developed specifically for categories of individuals with obesity and diabetes, it includes aspartame. Before purchasing, you need to read the information on the label to verify the quality of the product.
- However, on inbound aspartame the choice is not limited. Other sweeteners for people with diabetes, called sorbitol, xylitol, fructose, are coming to the shelves. The main disadvantage of these substances is their high price policy and far from zero calorie content. But their absorption is slow, so glucose surges are not observed.
Alternative Substitutes
- All of the above sugar substitutes are considered traditional, they are obtained by chemical processing. But recently, stevia and sucralose have become very relevant.
- Stevia is mined as a result of sugar processing, the caloric content of the final product is significantly reduced, and the benefits are not lost. Stevia intake will not negatively affect glucose levels; the sweetener is absorbed slowly.
- Stevia has a different scientific name, it is called honey grass because of its special taste. The main distinguishing feature of the sweetener is safety, naturalness, and therapeutic effect.
- When stevia is ingested, it does not cause jumps in glucose, accelerates metabolic processes, cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol, improves blood composition and helps fight obesity. It should be introduced into the diet of diabetics.
- As for sucralose, it is considered an analogue of the above aspartame and saccharin. It should be understood that the presented products are not extracted in a natural way, therefore, if possible, it is better to give preference to stevia.
Determine the type of sugar substitute
- Since sweeteners are nutritional supplements by nature, they have their own designations.If you decide to purchase a sweetener in order to adhere to the rules of nutrition, you need to study these "ciphers."
- So, sorbitol syrup / sorbitol is designated as E420. Xylitol - E967, saccharin - E954, aspartame - E951. There is also sodium cyclamate (E952), maltitol (E965), isomalt (E953).
- Patients should refuse wafers, cookies, chocolates and sweets for diabetics. Despite the attractive name, such treats have high calorie content. In their production, fructose or xylitol is used, so your weight can rapidly go up.
The harm and benefits of saccharin
- If you previously did not know how to replace classic sugar with such a disease, you should pay attention to a substance in the form of saccharin. If a similar composition is dissolved in boiling water, it completely loses its taste.
- It is because of this feature that saccharin should be added to ready-made dishes and products. Do not heat saccharin. The substance gained wide popularity in the middle of the 20th century. Sweetener began to be produced on an industrial scale.
- Do not forget that saccharin is used as a sweetener exclusively for diabetes. People who want to say goodbye to unwanted kilograms who do not have such a serious illness should not include saccharin in their diet.
- Such a substance enhances appetite. Saccharin also does not taste very good. Sugar substitute is strictly forbidden to consume if you suffer from diseases of the liver, kidneys or intestines.
- Some studies have shown that saccharin contains carcinogens that contribute to the development of cancer. Later, repeated experiments did not confirm such information. However, the norms of daily consumption were still established.
- A safe daily dose is 2.5 mg. per 1 kg. human body weight. In some cases, saccharin provokes individual intolerance. This feature manifests itself in the form of a metallic taste in the oral cavity. Also, a person may suffer from increased urination.
- Only 1 tablet of saccharin contains about 50 mg. substances. Such a mass is equivalent to 12 grams. ordinary granulated sugar. That is why you should not consume more than 3 tablets per day. If necessary, consult your doctor. The specialist will tell you exactly how best to take the drug.
The Harm and Benefits of Aspartame
- Back in the 60s, American experts developed an effective substance. Sugar substitute is currently actively used in the food industry. Aspartame is a synthetic dietary supplement. The sweetness of such a substance is approximately 200 times higher than glucose.
- On the shelves of supermarkets, such a substance can be easily purchased under the names Nutrasvig and Aspamix. As for the safety of the composition, it is doubtful for some individuals. The product contains substances in the form of aspartic acid and phenylalanine.
- Aspartame is forbidden to take to patients who suffer from phenylketonuria due to the nature of the composition of the substance. Keep in mind that when aspartame breaks down, it releases methanol. Such a substance damages membrane cells and nerve fibers. Methanol is also converted to a carcinogen (formaldehyde). Pregnant women should refuse such an additive.
From the above it is worth making certain conclusions. A safer substitute is one that contains saccharin. Natural stevia will also be beneficial. As for sorbitol and xylitol, experts do not recommend consuming them for a long time. Periodically, you need to take a break for at least 1 month.
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