A cup of morning coffee, a pot of oatmeal, a bowl of yogurt, a steaming Chai tea... all examples of foods that you might enjoy while following a healthy meal plan, but as a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic, do you find yourself asking: cant I add just a bit of sugar?
While sugar is allowed in very moderate amounts in most diabetic diets, refined carbohydrates are always a daily concern. If youre joining the ever-growing population in the search for more natural foods, you may have found that there exist a few natural sweeteners on the market. Are these natural sugars more appropriate for Type 2 Diabetics? And if so, in what proportions?
When it comes to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar is key, and one must always pay attention to the glycemic index or GI of foods. Carbohydrates, with their relatively high GI levels, are typically restricted or regulated on the diabetic menu plan, and natural sugars must also be considered for their individual GI levels.
Honey and maple syrup, two natural sweeteners, still maintain high GI rankings, ranging from about 30 to 60, respectively. Compared to pure glucose, which is 96, these fare better... but still close to white table sugar, which is 64. The plus side of honey and maple syrup? Because they are natural foods, they contain trace amounts of minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which are completely absent in processed white sugar. Yet as a diabetic, these sweeteners may still cause spikes in your blood sugar, so be aware of their overall GI.
Two natural sweeteners, however, rank impressively low on the GI and may be allowed in a healthy diabetic meal plan. Agave syrup, made from the Blue Agave cactus plant, has a GI ranging from 15 to 30, depending on the brand. Opt for the "unrefined" or "raw" agave, which will be closer to the low-end of the GI spectrum. Stevia is the other natural sweetener with a low GI ranking, and its a sweetener thats been gaining much popularity in the United States recently. With a reported GI of just zero to 5, stevia remains a contender in the fight for diabetic-friendly sweeteners. Derived naturally from the stevia plant, its been FDA-approved, and many doctors recommend it to patients with blood sugar concerns.
Even healthy foods deserve the slightest kick of sweetness from time to time, and as a diabetic, you can find the best food to meet that sweet tooth in moderation. You can find agave and stevia at your local health food store or "health aisle" of the regular grocery store. Stevia may also be in the nutrition/supplement section of the grocery store, so ask a clerk if you need assistance.
To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments
Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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