How to Bake When You Have Diabetes

Staff
By Staff
2 Min Read

3. Experiment With Sugar Substitutes

In addition to natural sweeteners, there are various kinds of artificial sweeteners that can fit into a diabetes baking plan. Common options include stevia, monk fruit, and sugar alcohols like xylitol or erythritol. You can find them in liquid, granule, or powder forms. It’s important to note, however, that sugar substitutes like erythritol may be associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

“Unlike substitutions of applesauce, bananas, or honey, [some] artificial sweeteners (excluding sorbitol and maltitol) don’t add any sugar or carbohydrates to baked goods,” says Poulson.

With that said, there are drawbacks to using artificial sweeteners. They may change the taste of your treats slightly, and baked goods may not brown as much because they lack the sugar to caramelize. For that reason, Jill Weisenberger, RDN, CDCES, a nutritionist and author based in Virginia, recommends combining sugar with a sugar alternative. Instead of using a full cup of sugar, try half a cup of sugar and half a cup of a sugar alternative. Or use a third of a cup of sugar and two-thirds of a cup of the sugar alternative.

Keep in mind that some sugar alternatives may cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten in large quantities. “You still want to watch portion sizes when consuming baked goods made with them,” says Poulson.

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