Diabetic Chocolates Can Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
We have all heard those stories about how rates of both type I and type II diabetes have been on the rise, and this is certainly bad news for those newly diagnosed patients. Those who have been recently diagnosed as having diabetes, or being at risk for the disease, naturally have lots of questions, not the least of which is what foods they can eat and which foods are now taboo.
For many new diabetics, the hardest part of dealing with their condition is having to say goodbye to their favorite sweet foods, including of course chocolate and candy. Many people simply assume that all candy , from gumdrops and candy bars to luscious gourmet chocolates, are now forbidden, and will remain so for all time. The good news, however, is that those suffering from diabetes do not need to totally ban chocolate from their diets. In fact, those diabetes sufferers will quickly find that there is a wide selection of sugar free candy and chocolate.
In fact, there are so many different kinds of diabetic chocolates on the market that there is likely to be a sugar free equivalent to just about any of your favorite types of candy bar. It may take some time and require some shopping around, but these days sugar free chocolate is widely available just about everywhere in the country.
As with non sugar free chocolate bars, however, the quality of diabetic and sugar free candy and chocolate bars varies quiet a bit. It is a good idea for shoppers to taste a selection of chocolates from different manufacturers, and to buy only small quantities until they have found the best tasting sweet treat. This is a good idea for a number of reasons, not the least of which is price. Sugar free chocolate made with diabetics in mind can be quite a bit more expensive than “normal” chocolate, so it pays to sample widely and shop carefully.
It is also a good idea for newly diagnosed diabetics to let family members, friends and coworkers know about their condition so that extra care can be taken when choosing gifts of food, picking restaurants for lunch or planning holiday feasts. Most people will be only too happy to accommodate your special needs, and to provide sugar free alternatives to foods like candy, cookies, ice cream and other sweet treats.
No matter what type of sugar free chocolate you choose, however, it is important to use care and to eat those special treats in moderation. Just like regular chocolate bars, sugar free chocolate bars should be enjoyed as an occasional treat, not as an everyday dietary staple. Even though these special diabetic chocolate products contain no sugar, they do still contain plenty of calories, and consuming too many can lead to problems with obesity, which can further complicate your diabetes.
It is also important to keep in mind that overindulgence can produce some unpleasant side effects. Most brands of sugar free candy and chocolate use artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, which in large doses can produce cramping and other unpleasant gastrointestinal problems. It is therefore important for diabetics and non diabetics alike to start slowly when trying a new sugar free chocolate, and to use moderation when enjoying these delicious treats. Some people will be more susceptible to the effects of sorbitol than others, but moderation is a good practice for all sweets, not just sugar free one.
So the good news is that a diagnosis of diabetes does not have to mean a life devoid of chocolate and other candies. When enjoyed in moderation, diabetic chocolates can be part of a healthy diet.
