Syrups, both carbonated and non-carbonated, concentrated syrup mixed with water, various types of candies—these sweets… contain no other beneficial nutrients besides sugar. Therefore, they are not suitable for diabetic patients because they cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, except when the patient experiences low blood sugar, starts feeling very hungry, dizzy, or lightheaded. In such cases, they should drink about ½-1 glass of syrup.
Which sweets should be avoided and which should be reduced? Let’s find out!
For sweets that should be avoided, such as Thong Yip, Thong Yod, Sangkhaya, Khanom Mo Kaeng, Khanom Chueam, Khanom Kuan, Khanom Nan Nuan, Khanom Alua.
While some sweets that are not very sweet may be occasionally consumed by diabetic patients but must be exchanged with rice, fat, and fruit in that meal, such as:
- 1 scoop of ice cream: avoid fruit and fried foods in that meal
- 4 pieces of Tako (1×1 inch): avoid fruit and fried foods in that meal
- 1 plain round cake: avoid 1 ladle of rice in that meal
- 1 cup of Sa Rim: avoid 1 ladle of rice, fruit, and fried foods in that meal
Patients should not eat sweets often except on special occasions such as birthdays or New Year’s and should do so when blood sugar is well controlled. Patients should not completely avoid rice and replace it with sweets because they will feel unsatisfied and seek additional food, which will lead to consuming more than the prescribed amount, making it impossible to control blood sugar levels.
Recommendations for using artificial sweeteners… in diabetic patients
- Aspartame
Most artificial sweeteners sold in Thailand are aspartame, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar. One packet of aspartame (38 milligrams) provides sweetness equivalent to 2 teaspoons of sugar. The U.S. FDA has tested its safety and allows a daily intake of 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Most people use much less than this amount. However, aspartame is not heat-stable, so it should be added after cooking.
For patients who still crave sweetness, it can be added to food or drinks. Patients who want to drink soda should choose types labeled “diet,” which use this sweetener instead of sugar.
- Fructose
Fructose is a fruit sugar that is almost twice as sweet as sugar, so less is used compared to sugar. It causes blood sugar levels to rise more slowly than sugar. However, consuming large amounts can also raise blood sugar levels and may increase blood fat levels. Fructose provides the same energy as sugar, so it is not suitable for obese patients.
Choosing foods to control blood sugar levels
- Eat rice, noodles, and bread as usual without much reduction, except for obese individuals who should reduce by half
- Eat fruit in the prescribed amount, 2-3 times a day, instead of sweets
- Eat more vegetables at every meal
- Eat lean meat without skin
- Eat 2-3 eggs per week; if blood fat is high, avoid egg yolks
- Eat fish and tofu more often
- Use vegetable oils such as soybean oil and rice bran oil for frying and stir-frying, but in moderation
- Choose to drink fat-free milk or low-fat milk instead of flavored milk
- Avoid syrup, soda, candies, chocolate, and various sweet desserts
- Avoid foods with coconut milk, animal fats, regularly fried foods, and baked goods such as puffs and pastries
- Eat whole vegetables and fruits with fiber instead of just drinking juice
- Choose foods low in fat such as boiled, steamed, grilled, or stir-fried with little oil instead of fried foods
- Use artificial sweeteners in drinks and food instead of sugar
- Eat foods low in salt
We can see that diabetic patients nowadays have more freedom in choosing foods, and the recommended diet for diabetic patients is not much different from that of the general population. However, diabetic patients need to learn how to select food types, portion sizes, exchanges, and substitutions to consistently control blood sugar levels.
