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When you have diabetes, managing your sugar intake is crucial for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. With approximately 38 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, understanding how sugar affects your body is essential. Here’s a breakdown of how sugar impacts your body when you have diabetes and how to enjoy sweet treats while managing your condition:

Understanding Sugar and Diabetes

• Natural Sugars: Present in foods naturally, such as lactose in milk and fructose in applesauce.
• Added Sugars: Sugars added during processing, like dextrose, sucrose, honey, and cane sugar.
• Both natural and added sugars affect blood sugar levels, but natural sources provide additional nutrients.

How Sugar Affects Blood Glucose Levels

• In healthy individuals, sugar is broken down into glucose and transported into cells by insulin.
• For those with diabetes, the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar is compromised, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycemia 101

• Prolonged high blood sugar levels can result in hyperglycemia, leading to serious conditions such as nerve damage and cardiovascular disease.
• Signs of hyperglycemia include frequent urination, headaches, blurred vision, increased thirst, fatigue, and weight loss.

What Sugar Does to Your Body If You Have Diabetes

• Eating sugar with diabetes can cause prolonged high blood sugar levels, difficulty concentrating, headaches, increased thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.
• Consistent high blood sugar levels can lead to more severe health issues over time, including nerve damage and heart disease.

Strategies to Enjoy Sugar If You Have Diabetes

• Focus on balanced meals with appropriate macros to maintain steady blood sugar levels.
• Maintain a regular eating schedule to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
• Stay hydrated with zero or low-sugar beverages to promote healthy blood sugar levels.
• Limit added sugars to meet dietary guidelines and enjoy sweet treats in moderation.
• Manage stress levels and engage in physical activity to regulate blood sugar levels.
• Work with experts like registered dietitians to develop a personalized treatment plan.

The Bottom Line

Understanding how sugar affects your body with diabetes is crucial for effective management. By being mindful of portion sizes, incorporating sugar into balanced meals, and seeking guidance from experts, you can enjoy sweet treats while keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Remember, having diabetes doesn’t mean sugar is off-limits, but it’s about how you incorporate it into your overall treatment plan.