For most people, satisfying a sweet tooth can be as simple as picking a favorite treat. For people with diabetes, choosing a sweet treat can be more complicated, but experts say candy can still fit into a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
“The occasional piece of candy can absolutely fit into a healthy, balanced lifestyle for someone living with diabetes,” said Sarah Hormachea, a diabetes care and education specialist.
When a person eats or drinks carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. In people with diabetes, the body can’t effectively manage glucose, making it important to keep blood glucose levels within a healthy target range.
Candy contains carbohydrates, primarily from added sugar, and can cause glucose spikes. That doesn’t mean candy can’t be part of a diet, but people with diabetes need to be mindful of how it fits into their overall eating plan.
“The biggest risk of consuming excessive amounts of candy is that it can displace more nourishing foods that support energy and metabolic health, including foods rich in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals,” Hormachea said.
When candy replaces nutrient-rich carbohydrates such as starchy vegetables, beans, lentils, fruits, whole grains, milk and yogurt, glucose management can become more difficult.
Toby Smithson, a senior manager of nutrition and wellness at the American Diabetes Association, said paying attention to how often you eat candy and how much you eat — particularly the carbohydrates in a serving — is key.
What Type of Candy Is Best?
Not all candy is created equal. The amount and type — whether it contains nuts, chocolate, protein or other sources of fat — can affect how quickly the body digests and absorbs it.
Hard candies and candies without nuts or chocolate are digested and absorbed quickly, often raising blood glucose levels within about 15 minutes. Because of this rapid effect, some candies can be used to treat low blood sugar.
Candies that contain chocolate, nuts or other sources of fat digest more slowly. They may not raise blood glucose as quickly, Smithson said, but they can still have a “significant impact” on blood glucose levels.
“If you’re going to have candy, I’d rather see something that contains some protein or fat alongside the sugar,” Hormachea said. She said a peanut butter cup or Snickers is a better choice than sugar-based candies such as Smarties, Life Savers, Pixy Stix or Jolly Ranchers.
Are There Substitutes for Candy?
Alternatives to traditional candy include sugar-free options and fruit, which contains carbohydrates but also provides fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Still, experts caution that sugar-free doesn’t necessarily mean better. Some options still contain carbohydrates, and other ingredients may cause discomfort after eating.
“Many use sugar alcohols like sorbitol, which can cause bloating, gas or diarrhea when consumed in larger amounts,” Hormachea said, adding that some sugar alcohols may pose health risks. “I’d much rather someone enjoy a favorite candy occasionally and in a small portion, or choose something sweet that brings more nutritional value to the table, like fruit, nuts or a combination of fruit with dark chocolate or cocoa.”
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