The alarming news that sugar is May free foods have the same effect as sugar foods. How can this be true? Food manufacturers sugar instead of sugar alcohol in an attempt to minimize the effect of foods on your blood sugar. Sugar alcohol is a sugar substitute which has about 50% less calories than regular sugar. Sugar alcohols are natural in origin from foods including fruit.

Sugar alcohols help reduce levels of blood sugar because they are converted into glucose at a rate much slower. Therefore, they do not cause a peak level in your blood sugar as sugar. Moreover, sugar alcohols can be metabolized with very little insulin, if any at all.

Many people with diabetes are often confused by without sugar on the labelling of foods. They automatically assume that they can eat this food because it will not affect their level of sugar in the blood. They do not understand that sugar free means that the proceeds of sugar and alcohol is still an important source of carbohydrates. Therefore, if they consume this product, they will find it difficult to lower their blood sugar levels.

Another negative aspect of the effect of sugar-free foods is that you can experience bloating and diarrhea that sugar alcohols can mimic the effects of laxatives. These negative effects are amplified when you enjoy more of these foods without sugar.

The key is to read food labels on sugar free food products. The food label contains valuable information that diabetics should consider to help control their blood sugar levels. The food label list of nutritional value. Firstly, it is essential to note the size. Serving sizes vary and if you only focus on calories, fat, etc. May you have a false perception of food.

The main areas to consider are the sum total of carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that have the most profound effect on your blood sugar levels. Sugar-free foods will list the sugar alcohols. Examples of sugar alcohols include: sorbitol, mannitol, isomalt, xylitol, lactitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. Freedom is a food with less than 20 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrates. Check if the food is these guidelines to help determine how it will affect your blood sugar levels and how much you should eat.

Essentially, every person with diabetes should realize that the May sugar-free foods have a similar effect on their blood sugar levels than sugar foods. Be informed and read food labels to ensure that you control your blood sugar levels

Visit Diagnosing Diabetes to learn about diabetes types and signs of diabetes.