Can diabetics eat chocolate. How does chocolate affect blood sugar levels. What types of chocolate are best for people with diabetes. Is sugar-free chocolate a good option for diabetics. How to incorporate chocolate into a diabetic-friendly diet. What are the health benefits of dark chocolate for diabetics. Are there any risks associated with chocolate consumption for diabetics.

Understanding Chocolate and Its Impact on Diabetes

For many people with diabetes, the question of whether they can enjoy chocolate is a common concern. The good news is that chocolate can be part of a diabetic-friendly diet when consumed in moderation and with careful consideration of its ingredients and nutritional content. Let’s delve into the world of chocolate and explore how it relates to diabetes management.

What is Chocolate?

Chocolate is derived from the seeds of the cocoa tree. The main ingredient, cocoa liquor, contains natural cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Different types of chocolate vary in their composition:

• Dark chocolate: Contains a minimum of 35% cocoa liquor
• White chocolate: Made with milk, sugar, and cocoa butter
• Milk chocolate: Includes powdered or dried condensed milk mixed with chocolate liquor

The percentage of cacao in chocolate is often indicated on the label, which can be a useful guide for diabetics when selecting chocolate.

The Glycemic Impact of Chocolate on Blood Sugar

How does chocolate affect blood glucose levels? The impact of chocolate on blood sugar can vary depending on its composition. High cocoa solids chocolate, particularly 100% cocoa varieties, is considered a low glycemic food. This means it doesn’t cause a sharp spike in blood sugar levels.

Why doesn’t dark chocolate cause a rapid increase in blood sugar? The fat and fiber content in dark chocolate slow down digestion, resulting in a more gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream. Even sugar-sweetened dark chocolate typically has a lower glycemic index compared to high-starch, low-fiber foods like sugar cookies.

Choosing the Right Chocolate for Diabetics

When it comes to selecting chocolate suitable for diabetics, not all varieties are created equal. Here are some factors to consider:

Dark Chocolate: The Diabetic-Friendly Option

Dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids is generally the best choice for people with diabetes. Why is dark chocolate preferable? It contains less sugar and more beneficial compounds like flavonoids, which may have positive effects on cardiovascular health.

Sugar-Free Chocolate: A Viable Alternative?

Sugar-free chocolates are often marketed as a diabetic-friendly option. These products are typically sweetened with calorie-free sugar alternatives, such as stevia. Are sugar-free chocolates truly beneficial for diabetics? While they may have minimal impact on blood sugar levels, it’s important to read the labels carefully, as some sugar alternatives can still affect blood glucose.

The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate for Diabetics

Dark chocolate, when consumed in moderation, may offer several health benefits for people with diabetes:

1. Antioxidant properties: Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which can help combat oxidative stress.
2. Potential cardiovascular benefits: Some studies suggest that dark chocolate may help improve heart health.
3. Mood enhancement: Chocolate contains compounds that can positively affect mood and cognitive function.

How can diabetics incorporate dark chocolate into their diet safely? The key is moderation and choosing high-quality, high-cocoa content chocolate with minimal added sugars.

Risks and Considerations for Diabetics Consuming Chocolate

While chocolate can be part of a diabetic diet, there are some risks to be aware of:

Blood Sugar Management

Consuming large amounts of chocolate, especially milk or white chocolate high in sugar, can lead to blood sugar spikes. How can diabetics mitigate this risk? By carefully monitoring portion sizes and opting for dark chocolate with higher cocoa content.

Calorie Content

Chocolate is calorie-dense, which can be a concern for diabetics managing their weight. What strategies can help control calorie intake from chocolate? Limiting portion sizes and incorporating chocolate as an occasional treat rather than a daily indulgence is advisable.

Integrating Chocolate into a Diabetic-Friendly Meal Plan

The American Diabetes Association acknowledges that people with diabetes can include sweets and chocolate in their diet as part of a balanced meal plan. What does a healthy meal plan for diabetics look like? It should be:

• Low in saturated fat
• Low in sugar and salt
• Rich in lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and non-starchy vegetables

How can chocolate fit into this meal plan? By treating it as an occasional indulgence and adjusting other carbohydrate intake accordingly.

Reading Labels: A Crucial Skill for Diabetics

Understanding nutrition labels is essential for diabetics looking to include chocolate in their diet. What should diabetics look for on chocolate labels? Key factors include:

• Sugar content
• Carbohydrate count
• Cocoa percentage
• Serving size

Why is it important to look beyond “sugar-free” claims? Even products labeled as “sugar-free” or “no added sugar” may still contain calories and carbohydrates that can affect blood glucose levels.

Innovative Chocolate Options for Diabetics

As awareness of diabetes-friendly diets grows, so does the market for suitable chocolate products. What new options are available for diabetics who love chocolate?

Stevia-Sweetened Chocolate

Some companies now offer chocolate sweetened with stevia, a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. How does stevia-sweetened chocolate compare to traditional sugar-sweetened varieties? It typically has a lower impact on blood sugar levels while still providing the rich chocolate flavor.

High-Cocoa Percentage Bars

Chocolate bars with very high cocoa percentages (85% and above) are becoming more widely available. Why are these beneficial for diabetics? They contain less sugar and more beneficial cocoa compounds.

The world of chocolate doesn’t have to be off-limits for people with diabetes. By making informed choices, reading labels carefully, and practicing moderation, diabetics can still enjoy this beloved treat as part of a balanced diet. Remember, individual responses to chocolate can vary, so it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized advice on incorporating chocolate into a diabetic meal plan.

As research in nutrition and diabetes management continues to evolve, new insights may emerge regarding the relationship between chocolate and diabetes. Staying informed about the latest recommendations and products can help diabetics make the best choices for their health while still enjoying the occasional chocolate indulgence.

Ultimately, the key to enjoying chocolate as a diabetic lies in balance, moderation, and informed decision-making. By choosing high-quality, dark chocolate with minimal added sugars and being mindful of portion sizes, people with diabetes can savor the rich, complex flavors of chocolate without compromising their health goals.

Remember that diabetes management is highly individual, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another. Always monitor your blood glucose levels when introducing new foods, including chocolate, into your diet. With careful planning and a bit of chocolate knowledge, you can find ways to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your diabetes under control.

As you navigate the world of chocolate as a diabetic, don’t be afraid to explore different options and find what works best for you. Whether it’s a small square of intense dark chocolate after dinner or a sugar-free chocolate treat during a special occasion, there are ways to incorporate this beloved food into your life without derailing your health goals.

By staying informed, making conscious choices, and listening to your body, you can continue to enjoy the pleasures of chocolate while managing your diabetes effectively. Remember, life with diabetes doesn’t mean a life without sweetness – it’s all about finding the right balance and making smart, informed decisions about what you eat.

Can I Eat Chocolate with Diabetes? Everything You Need To Know

The short answer to this question is that it depends on the type of chocolate with darker lower sugar types being better. 

While many people enjoy the pleasant, smooth taste of chocolate, consuming it as a diabetic can be tricky and watched carefully.

A lot of it depends on what’s in the chocolate ingredients. So, to understand if you should or shouldn’t eat chocolate, it is essential to be aware of ingredients.

The
American Diabetes Association, states that people with diabetes are not strictly forbidden from having sweets and chocolate or any other sugary foods. However, diabetics need to consume these foods as part of a healthy diet and exercise plan.

A healthy meal plan will be:

• Low in saturated fat
• Have very little sugar and salt
• Include lots of lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and non-starchy vegetables

Doctors generally recommend that their patients save the sugary foods for special occasions, and even then, consume them in limited portions.

As a diabetic, you need to choose the food you consume carefully. Understand how a particular ingredient, for instance, chocolate, will affect your blood glucose levels. That boils down to understanding nutrition labels on foods like chocolate bars that are made from more than just chocolate.

It is worth noting that while many foods are labeled as “sugar-free” or they may read “no added sugar,” they still have calories and carbohydrates which impact your blood glucose. In other words, you need to drill down further into the ingredients to figure out if a particular item can be consumed.

What Is Chocolate? The Ingredients Matter.

Most people reading this know what chocolate is, but they are unaware of how it is made. As mentioned earlier, what’s in your chocolate can make it diabetic-friendly or unfriendly.

Generally, chocolate comes from the seed of the fruit growing on the cocoa tree. The pure ingredient called Cocoa Liquor that comes from the cocoa tree seed includes the natural cocoa butter and cocoa solids. The food label of chocolate will sometimes mention the percentage of cacao.

Cocoa powder contains cocoa liquor but has lower cocoa butter due to pressing, so it is a concentrated version of cocoa solids.

Chocolate has cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, and sugar or an alternative sweetener. Here is how each type of chocolate varies as a rule of thumb:

• Semisweet or dark chocolate has around 35% cocoa liquor minimum
• White chocolate has milk, sugar, and cocoa butter
• Milk chocolate has powdered milk or dried condensed milk mixed with the chocolate liquor.

As you may have already guessed, most of the above mentioned chocolate isn’t for diabetics not watching their blood sugar carefully, but there are modified versions that help prevent triggering high blood glucose levels. Sugar free chocolate is one example. Santa Barbara Chocolate, the company I work for, has a true sugar free chocolate: 
Stevia Chocolate.

The Effect of Chocolate on Blood Sugar Levels

What does chocolate do to your blood sugar? Does it raise or lower it? High cocoa solids chocolate (100% types) is often thought of as a low glycemic food, meaning it does not cause a sharp spike in blood sugar. The fat and fiber in chocolate make it slow-digesting, so you don’t get an instant spike. While sugar-sweetened dark chocolate is higher on the glycemic index than unsweetened chocolate, it’s still generally lower than high-starch, low-fiber foods (i.e. sugar cookies).

Commercial chocolate bars from the grocery store may be high in sugar and fat, making it a significant source of calories. Eating these regularly can increase the risk of other diabetic complications due to the sugar content. Just so you know, chronic diabetes leads to oxidative stress, and diabetics are less able to fight free radicals that cause inflammation and cell damage (gout can be an issue as an example). While it is still possible to eat chocolate for diabetics, it’s important to choose dark chocolate over the higher sugar or very processed types with low cocoa fiber / cocoa solids.

Is Sugar-Free Chocolate Good For Diabetics?

Sugar-free chocolates are a way to get the fix without adding extra sugar to your diet. Sugar-free chocolates or diabetes-friendly chocolate are generally sweetened with calorie-free sugar options (i.e. stevia is our favorite).

Most sugar-free chocolates are thought of as not too bad for diabetics because they likely have no impact on blood sugar levels. But some types of sugar-free chocolate contain artificial sweeteners that can possibly have adverse health effects (some have speculated that sucralose could be an issue but the research is not conclusive).

Mostly, chocolate with cocoa solids above 95% do not cause too much issue with blood glucose levels (this is individual dependent and diet related – so test and ask your doctor), meaning diabetics could enjoy the occasional piece of dark chocolate without any problem but this still requires monitoring of blood glucose and proper medical consultation.

The key is striking the right balance of carbs in a diabetics diet. People with diabetes should limit their sugar intake to their doctor’s recommendation.

Here are a few more things to consider when consuming chocolate:

• Sugar alcohols are some of the most common sugar substitutes used in sugar-free chocolate. While they are harmless, they can trigger an upset stomach in some people.
• Sugar substitutes include artificial sweeteners, which can have possibly adverse health effects.
• Sugar-free chocolate isn’t necessarily low in calories; it can be as high as regular chocolate.

So what chocolates can people with diabetes eat: Darker the better it appears.

Dark Chocolate has Lower Sugar

The research on dark chocolate and diabetes is mixed. While chocolate may have some health benefits, studies have mixed results showing the direct relationship between chocolate’s cocoa content and the reduction of blood glucose.

However, the compounds present in dark chocolate may boost the immune system benefitting the eyes and the brain. One
study conducted by British researchers showed that eating dark chocolate reduced symptoms of chronic fatigue. The key to reaping the benefits of dark chocolate for diabetics is moderation and monitoring. Diabetics need to be very careful about their diet and constantly monitor their blood sugar levels to ensure they remain stable.

For this reason, a low-sugar, nutrient-dense type of dark chocolate may be the perfect solution.

Does Chocolate Consumption Offer Diabetics Any Health Benefits?

Dark chocolates have dietary fiber with some essential nutrients. Although it is high in fat, chocolate may not necessarily contribute to cardiovascular disease. Its sugar-free low fat form, baking cocoa powder, is low in fat and calories when compared to unsweetened chocolate liquor. Unsweetened chocolate is higher in fat and calories but is comparatively more satisfying and flavorful to eat plain.

A good quality extra dark chocolate is a good choice for diabetics, as it has antioxidants and also a possible mood-boosting effect. Dark chocolate can be gluten and soy-free which is often considered important.

Dark chocolate contains less sugar and has fewer calories than milk chocolate, so diabetics can more easily indulge in a small amount. Finally, Chocolate with high cocoa solids can be higher in fiber, which has been said to aid in weight loss, and can possibly reduce your blood sugar. This, in turn, could help fight off Type 2 diabetes as some research shows but again there are several factors to consider.

Diabetic Friendly Chocolates from Santa Barbara Chocolate

Santa Barbara Chocolate’s
100% Cacao Organic Unsweetened Chocolate Chips and Sugar-Free Stevia Chocolate Chips are perfect for those looking for a sugar-free, diabetic-friendly treat made from extra fine quality cacao beans.

Our sugar-free chocolate chips use stevia, a natural sweetener, to provide a premium tasting experience without the negative health effects of sugar.

Final Word – Enjoy Chocolate But Be Smart

Ask any doctor, and they will be against depriving yourself entirely of fun like chocolate, especially since there are likely some health benefits associated with its consumption. The key for diabetics is to consume it in moderation. Plus, understand that not all chocolate is the same; dark chocolate is considered healthier and better in most cases but some are misleading so read the label.

You will also want to consider your lifestyle choices like exercise and diet before indulging in chocolate. Make sure to consult with your doctor before incorporating chocolate into your regular diet.

FAQs

What Chocolates Can Diabetics Eat?

Diabetics can likely eat unsweetened dark chocolate. Dark chocolate offers all the benefits of the chocolate diet without the possible negative health effects of lots of sugar. While dark chocolate still has some carbohydrates and fats, the lower glycemic index means it is less likely to cause insulin spikes.

Most sugar sensitive individuals can generally eat around 20 grams to 30 grams of dark chocolate a day after a meal. However, when in doubt, it is best to consult with your doctor.

What Is Diabetes-Friendly Chocolate?

The answer is, that it depends. The best sugar substitute is stevia over maltitol. Stevia has no calories and zero sugar impact. Maltitol has a glycemic index of 52, compared to 60 for sugar. Maltitol contains half the amount of calories as sugar and has a lower glycemic index than sugar. However, beware of products containing high amounts of sugar substitutes, as they may still contain carbohydrates and saturated fats that could cause issues – again read the label.

Dark chocolate is likely best for diabetics because it contains the least sugar and generally no milk. Dark chocolate could have the lowest glycemic index (some 100% types as low as 23), which means it maynot cause a spike in blood glucose. It’s best to choose chocolate with the lowest glycemic index to help manage your blood sugar levels. You should be aware that some types of chocolate can cause a spike in blood sugar, and so it is down to reading the label and monitoring your blood glucose (some of our customers tell us the coconut sugar chocolate is great for them even though they have diabetes).

Sugar-free chocolate sweetened with sorbitol or fructose inplace of sugar is often found in Europe. Artificial sweeteners could have adverse effects on diabetics, which is why you may want to opt for the unsweetened type. It may take time to adjust to the bitter taste of sugar-free chocolate, but it’s worth the effort.

When To Consult Your Doctor?

If you are struggling to eat chocolates or other sweets in moderation or need help with controlling weight or blood sugar, it’s time to consult with a professional. You might want to ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian if possible, or a DCES (diabetes care and education specialist), who will help create a healthier diet plan.

Most people with diabetes will find that diet and exercise are key to maintaining good health allowing for chocolate consumption in moderation.

Can I Gain Weight Eating Dark Chocolate?

Chocolate is high in calories, with around 140 calories per ounce, which is twice the calories compared to an ounce of bread (60 calories). Cheese has 110 calories per ounce, and 2 large apples around 140 calories. So, as you can see, chocolate might not help you lose weight. However, eating it in moderation might be helpful in maintaining a healthy weight. There are a few reasons for this which include:

• Chocolate has insoluble fiber which in some research is directly linked with lowering weight.
• Chocolate consumption could have a positive effect on mood resulting in eating less like stress eating.
• Chocolate may help to reduce ghrelin (a hunger hormone), which means you feel less hungry and consequently consume less food.

Chocolate and diabetes | Diabetes UK

There’s a myth about chocolate and diabetes. But you can eat chocolate, just in moderation and not too often.  

Try not to eat a lot in one go as it affects your blood sugar levels. If you snack on chocolate regularly it may start to increase your cholesterol levels and make it more difficult to manage your weight. 

When you have diabetes it’s important to make  healthier food choices  and be smart with the snacks you choose. This means swapping things like crisps, biscuits, ice cream and chocolate for yoghurts, unsalted nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.  

This will help to manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of long-term complications. 

Chocolate and your health 

Chocolate is a treat food so will be high in energy, sugar and saturated fat, even in small portion sizes. If we eat these foods frequently and in large amounts this could lead to unintentional weight gain making it more difficult to manage our blood sugar, blood cholesterol and blood pressure.    

If your personal health goal is towards achieving or maintaining a healthier weight, it’s important to check in on how much and how often we’re eating high fat, high sugar foods like chocolate. 

The added sugar is chocolate counts as ‘free sugars’ which we all need to keep an eye on whether we are at risk of diabetes or live with diabetes. On average chocolate confectionary contains 50g sugar per 100g.  

We should all limit our free sugar intake to 30g, equal to 7 cubes or 7 tsp of sugar, for children over 11 and adults. This is especially important for people living with diabetes, who are at higher risk of dental problems. 

The adult reference intake for saturated fat is less than 20g per day. You can check how much chocolate treat add up to this daily limit by checking your food labels.  

Chocolate tends to be put in a prime position in shops and put on special offer, which increases our temptation even more.  

The government has introduced restrictions to help tackle the obesity crisis, for example by banning unhealthy snacks such as crisps and chocolate from near checkouts, where people are likely to impulse buy.  And NHS England has been asking retailers in hospitals to cap the portion size of chocolate bars sold on site to less than 250 calories.

Typical nutritional content of popular chocolate treats 

We’ve made the table below so you can see how some popular brands compare for carbs, sugar, saturated fat and calories.

 Enjoying chocolate as a special treat 

As a nation we really enjoy our chocolate, perhaps more occasionally than as a special rare treat.  The most recent data from 2019 showed we are spending seven times more on chocolate since surveys began. 

To enjoy chocolate in moderation, try to rethink your portion sizes. it’s not an everyday food but can be a nice way to celebrate.  

Celebrating with others and sharing the treat will help you from eating more than you planned.  

Sometimes we reach for treat foods like chocolate when we feel low or need comforting, it’s important to think about what may be driving this feeling. 

Take a look at our articles on emotional eating, and other ways to bond with family members.

That said, celebrations such as Easter and Christmas only come once a year, so don’t worry about the odd one or two indulgences as these will not affect your long-term diabetes management.

Can I eat ‘diabetic’ chocolate? 

We do not recommend ‘diabetic’ chocolate. Diabetic chocolate is just as high in fat and calories as ordinary chocolate, it can still raise blood sugar levels and is often more expensive than regular chocolate.  
To say food is a diabetic food is now against the law. This is because there isn’t any evidence that these foods offer you a special benefit over eating healthy. These foods can also sometimes have a laxative effect. 

Children and chocolate 

Birthday parties and festive celebrations such as Easter and Christmas are a fun time for children. Having diabetes doesn’t stop them from being part of the fun. 

The same government healthy eating guidelines apply, that all children limit their daily free sugar intake to:

• 19g, equal to 5 cubes or 5tsp of sugar, for children aged 4 to 7 
• 24g, equal to 6 cubes or 6tsp of sugar, for children aged 7 to 10 

Remember if you or your child carb counts, check the chocolate label so that you can calculate how many carbs have been eaten and adjust insulin doses accordingly.

How to enjoy chocolate as part of a healthy, balanced diet 

• Instead of ‘diabetic’ chocolate, try choosing good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa is best). It has a stronger taste than milk chocolate, so you are likely to eat a bit less. 
• Decide how much you are going to eat and put the rest of the chocolate away, out of reach. This should help prevent you from having ‘just one more piece’ and eating more than you planned to. 
• Read the labels for carb content to help adjust your insulin levels. 
• A low calorie hot chocolate drink, made with water will be lower in sugar, saturated fat and calories. 
• Think about other non-food gifts that can be enjoyed just as much as chocolate. 

Take-away hot chocolate  

Hot chocolate drinks can be delicious enjoyed on a chilly evening or during a long walk with friends, but they’re also high in sugar. 

Here’s how some of our favourite takeaway options add up:

	Carbs per portion	Sugars per portion	Saturated fat per portion	Calories per portion
Costa black forest hot chocolate and cream (medium, 455ml)	27g	23g (high)	11. 3g (high)	301
Starbucks classic hot chocolate with whipped cream (grande, 473ml)	29g	28g (high)	9.4g (high)	284
Café Nero milk choc chip hot chocolate (grande, 454ml)	70g	64g (high)	4.8g (medium)	414
Pret popcorn bar hot chocolate (415ml)	51g	50g (high)	13.3g (high)	444

 Healthier drink swap ideas 

Check out our high street menu guide for alternatives on the menu which have less free sugars, or are lower in calories. 

All drinks are made with semi skimmed milk.  

• Skipping on the whipped cream or switching from whole milk to a skimmed milk could reduce the total fat and energy content. 
• Ask if they have sugar free version of their usual syrups, or a dust of cinnamon or cocoa powder would have less free sugars too. 
• If swapping for plant-based milk, check it’s a fortified and unsweetened version to reduce free sugar intake.  
• Note that rice milk and oat milk are slightly higher in carbohydrate compared to cow’s milk. You may need to account for this if you adjust your insulin if you’re having a large serving size.  

Hot chocolate at home 

Try choosing cocoa powder and granulated sweetener to reduce the sugar of your hot chocolate at home, or choose lower sugar versions from supermarkets. 

Your top chocolate tips 

Noel: “If you crave chocolate, buy a quality bar with a high cocoa content, break it into squares and store it in your fridge or freezer. Then when you really want an occasional treat, help yourself to a square. Because it’s cold, it takes longer to melt in your mouth.” 

Ella: “Do remember to count the carbs – most packages have info on the back.”

Rachel: “Don’t wrap your child up in cotton wool – let them carry on as normal and just have eyes in the back of your head for signs of a high or low as the little monsters don’t always tell you if they’re too busy having fun. ” 

Our favourite Chocolate recipes  

• Microwave mug: Chocolate, banana and almond cups 
• Chocolate, almond and berry cake
• Chocolate brownies
• Chocolate orange soufflé

Is it possible to eat chocolate with diabetes

September 15, 2022 9:47

For patients with diabetes, there are a number of dietary restrictions. Banned products containing easily digestible carbohydrates, namely:

• sweet;
• white flour pastries;
• alcohol, carbonated drinks and juices;
• fatty foods;
• processed foods and trans-unsaturated fats.

Eating foods with a high glycemic index leads to a spike in blood glucose levels, which instructs the pancreas to produce insulin. But the essence of the disease is precisely that this hormone in the body is not enough. Therefore, it is so important to control the caloric content and glycemic index of dishes, exclude sugar, include useful components (fiber, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) in the diet, and also monitor the time of eating.

For full recommendations on what can and cannot be done individually, everyone should consult a doctor. And we have found information for you about the most, perhaps, your favorite dessert, without which it is most difficult to do when dieting.

People with type 1 diabetes have very low or no insulin levels in the blood. In patients with type 2 diabetes, insulin deficiency occurs, although the concentration of the hormone is usually normal, and sometimes elevated – the tissues are insensitive to its action. Can you eat chocolate if you have type 2 diabetes? And does the type of diabetes affect this possibility? The unequivocal answer to the question is yes, with proper observance of the norms of consumption per day, chocolate can be eaten by diabetics of both groups. 10-20 grams per day of dark chocolate are safely acceptable from 85-99% content of cocoa beans, in which sugar is present in a minimal amount or absent at all. Do not be discouraged, because this amount is up to 1/5 of a chocolate bar!

This is not at all small, and having accustomed yourself to this norm, you will receive benefit and pleasure without feeling infringed: the same dosage is recommended for healthy people without any restrictions!

Manufacturers also produce chocolate with fructose for diabetics – not the most useful type of sugar, but insulin is not needed for its absorption. Therefore, doctors allowed products with fructose in a diabetic diet, as this is the “lesser of evils” and is recommended to be consumed in the same dosage as dark chocolate.

Factory “Konfael” is constantly working to expand the range for people with diabetes. We recommend diversifying the diet of delicacies from “Konfael” with the help of interesting chocolate products from the catalog such as:

Dark chocolate with sesame without sugar

This package with an interesting flavor combination can be divided into 5 days. We recommend ordering a similar dark chocolate with other healthy ingredients to enjoy new tastes daily!

Bitter chocolate with bran

Bran – fiber, so necessary for diabetes. And real sugar-free chocolate is a source of antioxidants and a good mood!

We hope that we have answered the question “Is it possible to eat chocolate with diabetes” by offering high-quality and interesting options! You can order Confael products with fast delivery in Moscow and shipment to every region of Russia on the official website of the factory at competitive prices from the manufacturer!

Chocolate for diabetes: yes or no?

Such a disease as diabetes mellitus requires complex treatment, including dietary adjustments. In order to prevent possible problems and exacerbations of the disease, certain foods must be excluded. Otherwise, the patient’s blood sugar will rise, which can be fatal. First of all, it concerns sweets, including chocolate. Is it really necessary to completely abandon it?

Chocolate in diabetes: is it possible or not?

Doctors have different opinions – someone believes that the product can be consumed in small quantities, someone advises to completely exclude it from the diet. In fact, chocolate can be useful for diabetes, but only in a certain amount. In addition, it is important to choose a quality product with a maximum cocoa content. You will have to abandon the use of milk chocolate, as well as options with various additives.

Benefits of chocolate for diabetes:

• The body’s sensitivity to the substance insulin increases;
• Strengthening the heart and blood vessels;
• Pressure regulation;
• Enrichment of the body with such a mineral as iron;
• Reduce bad cholesterol;
• Positive effect on the nervous system;
• Eliminates the effects of stress.

In addition to all the listed properties, dark chocolate rejuvenates, helps fight inflammation and prevents dangerous diseases.

Chocolate also has negative sides:

• It provokes the appearance of excess weight;
• Food allergy;
• Increased sugar level;
• Addiction to sweets.

Can diabetics eat chocolate? Yes, you can, but only bitter chocolate. And the more cocoa, the better. Doctors recommend choosing a special chocolate for diabetics. Choose the option without fillers and additives, they are completely useless and, moreover, can provoke a deterioration in your condition.

The whole secret is that the product activates insulin functions, which is very useful for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Sweetness helps to stabilize the level of glucose in the body.

Chocolate for diabetes: how much?

As we said above, black and milk variants are prohibited, only bitter dark chocolate can be consumed. It contains minimal sugar and has a low glycemic index. You can consume no more than 20 grams of the product per day.

Doctors recommend choosing a special chocolate for diabetics. Today, in every supermarket you can find a stand with such products, it is intended for those who have high glucose levels. Instead of sugar in chocolate for diabetics, sorbitol and xylitol, fructose, and other sweeteners are used. The safest natural sweeteners are stevia and fructose. The label should say that the sweet is diabetic and does not contain sugar. The amount of cocoa should be at least 70%, the higher the better.

If we talk about the calorie content of chocolate for diabetics, it is just as high and amounts to about 500 calories per 100 grams of product. Pay attention to such an indicator as bread units. They should be no more than 4.5.

Another difference of the product is that vegetable fats are not used in its production.

After using it, it is recommended to measure the level of sugar and monitor the changes in indicators.