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Is Honey A Good Substitute For Sugar While Having Diabetes?
Question: I want to know if raw honey is a good choice for a type 2 diabetic to use instead of other sugar substitutes
Brief Answer:
Yes ,it is a healthy choise but used with moderation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear user
I have gone through your question.
I can understand your concern.
Keeping blood glucose levels under control is important for people with diabetes.
Honey is a carb food as well, just like rice, potatoes, thus just keep in mind that 1 tablespoon of honey has approximately 17 grams of carbohydrate , and taking that into account when counting your total daily intake of carbohydrates, diabetics can work it out just like any other sweetener or carbohydrates.
Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level but Clinical studies have shown that pure honey is a healthier choice in diabetic diet than table sugar and any other non-nutritive sweeteners such as Splenda, saccharin, aspartame.
Honey requires lower levels of insulin compared to regular white sugar and does not raise blood sugar levels as rapidly as table sugar, that is, it has a lower Glycemic Index than sugar.
Honey facilitates glucose intake to the liver, hence preventing an overload of glucose entering the blood circulation. And nature's honey is the only sugar that possesses this special ability.
Anyway you must consider that honey has more calorie than granulated sugar or sugar substitutes. One tablespoon of honey comes in at 68 calories, whereas 1 tablespoon of sugar contains 49 calories.So you can use raw honey instead other sugar substitutes but only in moderation. Be sure to count the carbohydrates in honey as part of your diabetes eating plan.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any doubts then feel free to ask me.
Thank you for using HCM.
Wish you good health.
Yes ,it is a healthy choise but used with moderation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear user
I have gone through your question.
I can understand your concern.
Keeping blood glucose levels under control is important for people with diabetes.
Honey is a carb food as well, just like rice, potatoes, thus just keep in mind that 1 tablespoon of honey has approximately 17 grams of carbohydrate , and taking that into account when counting your total daily intake of carbohydrates, diabetics can work it out just like any other sweetener or carbohydrates.
Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level but Clinical studies have shown that pure honey is a healthier choice in diabetic diet than table sugar and any other non-nutritive sweeteners such as Splenda, saccharin, aspartame.
Honey requires lower levels of insulin compared to regular white sugar and does not raise blood sugar levels as rapidly as table sugar, that is, it has a lower Glycemic Index than sugar.
Honey facilitates glucose intake to the liver, hence preventing an overload of glucose entering the blood circulation. And nature's honey is the only sugar that possesses this special ability.
Anyway you must consider that honey has more calorie than granulated sugar or sugar substitutes. One tablespoon of honey comes in at 68 calories, whereas 1 tablespoon of sugar contains 49 calories.So you can use raw honey instead other sugar substitutes but only in moderation. Be sure to count the carbohydrates in honey as part of your diabetes eating plan.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any doubts then feel free to ask me.
Thank you for using HCM.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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