Type 2 Diabetes: Make A List, Check It Twice
We all know that there are certain foods that we as diabetics should avoid. Unfortunately, it seems as if everything that tastes good to us isn’t good for us. Foods such as ice cream, candy, soft drinks, teas, and other snack foods are almost always packed full of sugar and carbs. But I’ve learned that by taking a few extra minutes to read the Nutritional Value Content on the back of packages, I can see which foods or snacks have the lowest percentage of carbs. By doing this, I can make a list of junk foods that are safer to eat due to their low carbohydrate content.
Forever a sugar addict, I’ve found that some sweets are inherently lower in carbs than others. Smarties®, the little roll of pastel colored candies, have only 6 grams of carbs (2% of Daily Value) per roll compared to the 38 carbs (13% of Daily Value) per serving that Swedish Fish® offers. A 24 oz. can of Arnold Palmer® Zero Half and Half Lemonade Iced Tea has one carb per serving compared to 19 grams of carbs (6% of Daily Value) in Honest Green Tea, compared to the 64 carbs (21% of Daily Value) per serving of Sprite®.
I know that a lot of people will say to stay away from sugary foods, but it’s easier said than done. A more realistic goal may be for us to manage our intake of sugary snack foods. By making a list of low carb snack and junk food, I can enjoy an occasional sweet treat without blowing my glucose through the roof. When I’m craving sugar, I’ve found few things are as rewarding to the palate and easy on my glucose levels as a roll or two of Smarties®. Having a predetermined list of “safer sweets” makes shopping a lot easier for me too, as I now make a beeline for the low sugar snacks instead of the ones that are sure to elevate my glucose levels.