Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

Q:
Is there a general rule of thumb when evaluating the grams of sugar in a particular product?

A:
Food labels will tell you the total number of grams of carbohydrates. You can break that down further if sugar has been added. As to how to evaluate that, the guidelines for diabetes management say that all carbohydrates are equal in how they affect blood glucose. This indicates that one must limit the total amount of carbohydrates rather than be as concerned about the specific types. However, sugary foods have little nutrient density, and do tend to increase blood glucose more quickly when consumed alone. For example, a piece of fruit is better than juice for sugar control. Eating whole foods is always better.