Sugar alternative

[Matt_Appsy]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum but not new to being diabetic, iv been type 1 for about 12 years.
I have been using sugar alternatives since being diagnosed mostly just sweeteners in tea and occasionally the fake sugar granules.
Last week I read a book called Ultra processed people which said all these sweeteners are not very good for you.
So my question is, has anyone found anything else as a substitute that doesn't spike your levels but is more natural? examples - coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey. Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Matt

 

[helli]

I changed my tastes by removing sugar from tea. Some people gradually reduce the amount of sugar. I went cold Turkey. But this was many years before my diabetes diagnosis.
I do not avoid sugar entirely, I still eat cakes and biscuits and chocolates. These all contain fat which slows down the glucose absorption and I am able to avoid major spikes through insulin dosing and timing.
I avoid fake sugar unless I need a caffeine hit with Diet Coke which I drink very rarely.

 

[mitchsi]

Hi,
I use Stevia on my oats. I gave up all sugars in coffee years ago so don’t know what it’s like in coffee/tea. It’s nice in the oats.

 

[Inka]

I don’t use sweeteners @Matt_Appsy I either reduce the sugar in the recipe or use dates or honey or maple syrup in smallish quantities. As you’re Type 1, you should be able to eat normal cake with some extra thought, a moderate portion and good timing.

And welcome to the forum 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

My partner converted me to tea without sugar, but I was very committed to sugar in my coffee and said that I would rather not drink coffee as drink it without sugar. I have tried pretty well every sweetener on the market both in pill and granular form and haven't found one that is particularly enjoyable. Now I drink my coffee with real cream instead of any form of sweetening despite my previous thoughts on unsweetened coffee and it is actually my daily luxury.
I did go cold turkey with sugar when I was first diagnosed and that certainly helped change my tastes and I don't crave sweet stuff nearly so much. I was a bit of a sugar addict and chocoholic pre diagnosis, so I think going cold turkey was necessary to break my habit. I flirt with a bit of sweetener occasionally, particularly with things like stewed rhubarb, but mostly because I have them in the house from all the boxes and dispensers I bought to try different ones. When they are all gone, I doubt I will buy more , even the so called "natural" ones like Stevia. I am coming to the conclusion that a little sugar or honey (I am a beekeeper) is a better option than sweeteners and whilst I do still buy the odd diet cola and that is generally what I drink out in a pub, I dilute it at least half and half with water to reduce the sweetness and quantity of sweetener ingested. I think it is important to cut down on the processed food and drink that we consume and I am slowly making changes to significantly reduce them, but it is a work in progress and I am not rigid about it. I do think we should all be much more aware of the food we consume and where it comes from and how processed it is and make informed decisions rather than eat it without consideration of these things and assume because it is on sale that it is safe.

 

[Proud to be erratic]

I also have very little natural sugar or honey and generally avoid artifical sweeteners @Matt_Appsy. I simply think the carb estimating for natural sugars is extra faff that I don't need.

I'm mildly against artifical anything when it comes to food and have been for about 20 years. That said I'm not against all processed food - I recognise there are moments when it is plain convenient and sometimes eating out would become impossible if I tried to avoid anything processed. I also currently live amidst my daughter and son-in-law's family and try my best to fit in with their busy lifestyles and a certain amount of convenience foods.

I do have foods with sugar already there from the ingredients list; plain fruit cake, mine pies and Xmas pudding are my winter favourites (from November to March!) and I just happily bolus accordingly regardless of sugar or processing.

Anyway, welcome to the Forum and hope we'll hear more from you in due course.