Whether you are managing type 1 diabetes (when your body is not producing insulin) or type 2 diabetes (when your body produces insufficient amounts of insulin or insulin that does not function correctly), managing blood glucose levels is critical. Careful planning includes considering meals, snacks, and physical activity since they can all affect your body’s regulation of blood glucose.
Thankfully, you can read a nutrition label to determine the amount of carbohydrates in a serving of food. But you may realize that eating a well-balanced meal leaves you very little room for sweets. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t manage a sweet craving. Non-caloric sweeteners are considered “free foods”, so they are the perfect companion when you are craving something sweet.
Aspartame, along with other no- or low- calorie sweeteners, can help curb a craving for something sweet. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that people can safely enjoy a range of nonnutritive sweeteners when they are part of an eating plan that is guided by current federal dietary guidelines.
Here are some tips to help you manage your diabetes:
Don’t get overwhelmed.
If you have recently been diagnosed, don’t let it overwhelm you. Listen to your doctor and diabetes educator. They will help you understand how to manage your diabetes.
Enjoy yourself.
Substituting sugar with low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame can help you enjoy a sweet taste.
Make it part of the routine.
Managing your diabetes is just as much a part of your day as brushing your teeth.
Increase your physical activity.
Regular, moderate workouts help control your blood sugar, lower blood pressure and ease stress. Your doctor can help determine how the physical activity impacts your blood glucose levels. Whether you are a professional athlete with type 1 diabetes, a child with type 1 diabetes that wants to play, or have type 2 diabetes, your healthcare team can help you manage your diabetes and physical activity to maximize the benefits to your overall health.
