no sugar allowed
Gang,
It seems each time Trish sends something about food, this ol’ lady
disagrees. I have posted the end of her recent message of all the diabetic
resources. Perhaps those lists always have the statement at the bottom, but
this time I happened to scroll down far enough to read it. I, again,
disagree. I have included a page that will be in my BASH booklet about sugar
in the diabetic meal plan. The *no sugar allowed* statement is an *archaic*
directive.
dr. Jan
SUGAR AND THE DIABETIC MEAL PLAN
When the diet is planned, sugar can be included just as other carbohydrates
would. But sugar is not a “free” food (one that is non-caloric or low enough
to not be counted). It counts as a carbohydrate. Account needs to be taken
for sugar in the meal plan, i.e., if a small piece of cake is planned for
dessert, skip the roll with dinner (exchange).
There is confusion at first about how to count sugar in the Exchanges. Talk
to a dietitian; he or she can teach how to work sugar into a healthy eating
plan. Carb-counting is the newer way to figure the appropriate intake for a
diabetic. New developments for diabetics continue to arise. At one time
diets figured percentages of Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats.
A doctor or CDE can teach how to increase the insulin dose to handle sugar.
The goal is normal blood sugar which can be achieved through proper insulin
dosage. A Type 2 needs special instructions.
Any of the “-oses” are a form of sugar: dextrose, fructose, maltose,
sucrose, glucose, etc. These ingredients listed separately on a label seem
to indicate very little sugar in an item. When they are lumped together as
one sweetener, the sugar content may be much higher than expected and
possibly should be considered as one of the first three ingredients; those
are the primary ones to consider.
For many years people with diabetes were advised to avoid sugars and sweets.
Today, it has been found that the impact of sugars, sweets, and starches on
blood glucose is quite similar. The American Dietetic Association recommends
that first priority be given to the total amount of carbohydrate eaten at
meals and snacks rather than the source of the carbohydrate. Sugars and
sweets can be part of a diabetes eating plan, but in small amounts. Keep in
mind, most sweets contain fat as well as sugar.
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:09 am
Jan what list came through with this idea that no sugar is what we need
to watch? I am really surprised by that statement also. My dietitian
said not to even look at the grams of sugar but the total carbos. Sugar
is a refined carb which is not really healthy for us but will not do us
in either. We can eat it but it is just wasted calories. We digest it
and make energy out of it but it does not stay with us like the more
complexed sugars thus we can drop more easily and have a low. I believe
the fault of a statement like this is not from the person who is diabetic
but a good wisher who is determined to be our police or a doctor who is
not educated in the updates in the diabetic direction of counting total
carbosl, Well, my family is finally home and I want to eat my homemade
beef soup. Have a great night. Becki
December 2nd, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Becki,
The looooong list of websites related to Diabetes that came through a day or
two ago. That paragraph was on the end of it. It may be on the end each time
that list has been sent, but this time I scrolled down to the end and saw
it.
Yeah, you’re right, there are a lot of *food police* out there.
Jan