One of the hardest aspects of good blood sugar management is carb counting. I was introduced to carb counting in 2015 when i began pump therapy. This is a bit ironic since I was diagnosed Type-1 Diabetic in 1982 and have spent most of my adult life bragging about my tight control. I never realized just how much deeper control I could have until I started carb counting. But despite the better control, it’s still one of the hardest aspects of bolusing properly.
The reason for this is quite simple. Either nutritional labels are incorrect, my body reacts differently to certain foods and the carbs aren’t absorbed the same, or after four decades of living with my condition, there’s simply still some shit I don’t know and I’m still learning. This is where the title of today‘spost comes in. Once in a while, something will catch me by surprise and have me realizing that no matter how much I read, learn and come to discover, there’s always something more to gain.
For years, there’s been a solid trend of sweet goods that are labeled as “No Sugar Added.” This has often prompted to have people thinking they can consume an increased amount of these treats, especially those with Type-1 Diabetes. The big problem is that “No Sugar Added” is not the same thing as “Sugar free,” and there can be hidden amounts in the total carbohydrate count that people often ignore, thinking they don’t need to check. This is where due diligence needs to come into play to prevent rising blood sugars.
An example I can provide is my recent discovery of No Sugar Added gummy worms at a local supplier. My first thought was that this would be a good way for me to enjoy some gummy worms without all the excess sugar and need for bolusing. It isn’t until I checked the nutritional label that I realized there may be a problem…
If you look at the total carbohydrates, 7 worms add up to 34 grams of carbs, which is basically on par with regular gummy worms. Although they boast 0 grams of sugar, they do carry 31 grams of sugar alcohol, which is an organic compound that’s normally derived from different sugars. Although lower in calories and apparently better for your teeth, sugar alcohols are a type of carbohydrate and will have a direct effect on one’s blood sugars.
So there you have it! If you decide to try out some of these “No sugar Added” foods, be sure to check the nutritional label and compensate for the carbohydrate count included, since it may not be any less than plain, old sugared goods. I’ve been caught by this before, where I’ve indulged in some candy or chocolate items that were “No Sugar Added“ and couldn’t understand when my levels skyrocketed. It wasn’t until I learned about sugar alcohols that it made sense. The carb counting helped, too. There’s always something more to learn or new ways to improve. Stay healthy, folks! ☯️
The Blogging Buddhist 