Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar? (2024)

FAQs

Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar? ›

Answer From M. Regina Castro, M.D. Generally, there's no advantage to substituting honey for sugar in a diabetes eating plan. Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level.

There's not likely to be a benefit to swapping sugar for honey if you have diabetes, since they affect your blood sugar in similar ways. If you do choose to eat honey, make sure you know how much you're getting. Foods that have honey in their name or sauce may contain more honey and carbohydrates than you realize.

Allulose is a low calorie sweetener that's derived from fruits such as figs and raisins. It sorta tastes like a less sweet table sugar. Pros: Allulose doesn't have any impact on your blood sugar or insulin levels. This makes it a great honey alternative for people who have diabetes or are on a low carb diet.

Is honey better for you than sugar? Honey has a lower GI value than sugar, meaning that it does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you may need less of it, but it does have slightly more calories per teaspoon so it's wise to keep a close eye on your portion sizes.

To substitute 1 cup of sugar: Use 2/3 cup honey. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need to use less. Decrease other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 cup, because there's water in the honey too.

People often consider honey to be healthier than sugar, but it depends on the use. Like sugar, honey is high in carbs, can raise blood sugar levels, and is high in calories. Both honey and sugar add sweetness to meals and snacks. However, they have different tastes, textures, and nutritional profiles.

If your diabetes is well managed and you want to add honey to your diet, consider choosing pure, organic, or raw natural honey if you are not pregnant or immunocompromised. These types may be safer for people with diabetes because all-natural honey does not have any added sugar.

Acacia, sage, and tupelo honey are all higher in fructose than glucose so they will crystallize much more slowly than others. If you really don't like crystallized honey, you should consider buying one of those varieties.

Both manuka honey and stevia are lower on the glycemic index than refined white sugar. So they're both better options for diabetics.

What is the healthiest sugar substitute? ›

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

Researchers have found that honey may increase adiponectin levels, a hormone that reduces inflammation and improves blood sugar regulation. There's also evidence that daily honey intake may improve fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

You can opt for coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar, which are some good and healthy options. Another good option is shakkar, an unprocessed sugar rich in nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium. You can also use jaggery to sweeten up your desserts and beverages.

If you are into making your own bread, try swapping out the sugar for honey! Just substitute honey for the same amount of sugar in the recipe and add a little extra flour to make up for the added moisture.

If you're only concerned with health, honey is the better coffee sweetener. Its sugars are easier to process, and it provides you with other important nutrients.

Generally, there's no advantage to substituting honey for sugar in a diabetes eating plan. Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level.

Maple syrup is a better choice than honey for people who have diabetes or blood sugar problems, for example. This happens because maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than honey. If you have certain diseases like inflammatory bowel, maple syrup can be helpful.

Honey contains mostly sugar, as well as a mix of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc and antioxidants. In addition to its use as a natural sweetener, honey is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent.

Drinking tea typically does not have any contraindication for people with diabetes. However, people should avoid sweetening their tea with sugar or honey as this may cause a spike in their blood sugar levels.