Traditionally, diabetics are advised to avoid sugar and chocolate.
This is because sugar can raise blood sugar levels. Diabetics have difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels because they do not produce insulin, which converts sugar into energy.
But advice for diabetics is changing.
Diabetes UK, the leading diabetes charity, says it is safe to eat chocolate in small amounts. Even eating an Easter egg will not cause any long-term damage to your blood sugar levels.
Previously, diabetics could consume special diabetic foods, prepared with artificial sweeteners to help control diabetics’ blood sugar levels.
But a study by Diabetes UK has shown that many diabetic foods contain more fat and energy than regular chocolate. This high fat content is more likely to worsen the long-term symptoms of diabetes than to relieve the condition.
The association now claims that the concept of a “special diabetic diet” has been replaced by healthy eating guidelines and meal plans specifically tailored to each person with diabetes.
Like the rest of the population, people with diabetes are encouraged to adopt a low-fat diet.
in fat, sugar and salt with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sally Wright, spokesperson for Diabetes UK, said: “There is no specific food that should be excluded from the diabetic diet. It is now considered unnecessary to avoid sugar altogether.”
Diabetes UK is now actively campaigning to remove foods specially labelled ‘diabetic’ from shelves.
According to Sally, “Labeling a product as ‘diabetic’ gives it a seal of approval that many people with diabetes find hard to ignore. They assume that the contents may be beneficial, even essential. Promoting a range of confectionery as ‘diabetic’ completely undermines dietary education as part of diabetes care.”
The charity says that while it is important to follow a diet low in sugar and fat for most of the year, eating a little extra chocolate at Easter will not affect overall blood sugar control.
“A regular Easter egg is a good idea, but spread it out over the Easter period rather than eating it all on Easter Sunday,” says Sally. “Special diabetic Easter eggs offer no particular benefit, are expensive and unnecessary.”
If you don’t want to risk eating regular chocolate, you can try sugar-free chocolate made by exclusive London-based chocolatiers Rococo.
Their specialty bars are made with maltiol, a natural sugar derived from malt that does not require insulin to metabolize. Visit www.rococochocolates.com for more information and to order by mail.
If you have diabetes, check with your doctor to make sure it is safe to eat chocolate made with maltitol before purchasing it.
