What is a good alternative to sweets (candy)

[xjay1234]

I was recently found out I had Diabetes type 2 - as my glucose blood sugar levels were 5.1mmol.

I have since then really cut out a lot of sugars especially the use or sprinkling sugar in my oats or cereal - now I eat without any sugar at all. I don't even enjoy when I am eating my oats or cereal now I just bare it - but over time soon the taste buds will man up.

However sometimes I can not help but want something sweet on the tongue.

Apart from high juice (I even curbed that so that the ratio of juice to water is 1:10 so it tastes fresh) and Dairy free yogurt. What is a good alternative to sweets?

Would grapes be a good alternative for somebody that needs to watch their sugar levels?

[Times Roman]

Mate,

At this point, I'd think you would look at your recent acquisition of Type II diabetes would be a wake up call. It would seem, amongst other things, that your desire for the "sweet" flavor has gotten you into a whole shit load of trouble (hence the Type II), and it would seem clear to me it is now time to distance yourself from this type flavor. You need to reboot your whole system, and get off this kick for sweets. True, you could go the artificial sweetener route, but then you would not have addressed this addiction you have. Instead, it sounds like you need to reeducate your tastebuds into enjoying other things besides the sweet flavor. It's like being an alchoholic and deciding that you are giving up booze, just not beer. You would probably be better off getting off the sweet kick altogether.

This struggle is just like the struggle you experience the first two weeks on the Atkins diet. You really crave the carbs, and then, after a couple of weeks, not so much. the carb craving goes away, and I'm going to suggest the same phenomenom is taking place here, except we are talking sweets, not carbs.

This is what I would do. Sweets/carbs/lousy diet got you in this pickle, now it's time to find a way out.

Sorry, just my .02'
---Roman

I was recently found out I had Diabetes type 2 - as my glucose blood sugar levels were 5.1mmol.

I have since then really cut out a lot of sugars especially the use or sprinkling sugar in my oats or cereal - now I eat without any sugar at all. I don't even enjoy when I am eating my oats or cereal now I just bare it - but over time soon the taste buds will man up.

However sometimes I can not help but want something sweet on the tongue.

Apart from high juice (I even curbed that so that the ratio of juice to water is 1:10 so it tastes fresh) and Dairy free yogurt. What is a good alternative to sweets?

Would grapes be a good alternative for somebody that needs to watch their sugar levels?

[tarmyg]

Type-2 Diabetes is completely reversible if one controls the diet. This is not a question about sugars it's a question about carbohydrates in general. This is one study that proves my point PLOS ONE: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial of the Postprandial Effects of Three Different Diets in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

A short 30-day test of a low-carb diet will, most likely, control your Diabetes and get you off any related medications but only you can test this obviously.

Thanks
~T

[Icy]

really the only thing that can replace sweets really is artificial sweeteners and diet soda, but that's switching one vice to another. it's like what Times Roman said you need to rethink your entire diet

[almostgone]

You could always use cinnamon on your oats. Cinnamon shouldn't aggravate your type 2 diabetes and actually may help. Of course, run this by your Dr./nutritionist.
Notice that I italicized "may" because I have read/seen a few contradictory studies.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778087

[kronik420]

keep fruit to a minimum.. and type 2 diabetes is not reversible at all... some people can control it with diet and exercise, but cannot reverse it...

[tarmyg]

keep fruit to a minimum.. and type 2 diabetes is not reversible at all... some people can control it with diet and exercise, but cannot reverse it...

Perhaps we have a definition problem here but afaik (And the studies I am looking at) you can completely reset your body in this regard and not have this problem anymore. By this I do NOT mean you can all of a sudden start popping a bag of candy each day.

~T

[hellomycognomen]

Best thing you can do to help with this is lower your bf percentage. There are countless examples of obese people who starting working out, eating better, and bam type II diabetes gone.
Only artificial sweeteners can mimic sweet candy taste. Candy can be as addictive as crack.

[xjay1234]

Best thing you can do to help with this is lower your bf percentage. There are countless examples of obese people who starting working out, eating better, and bam type II diabetes gone.
Only artificial sweeteners can mimic sweet candy taste. Candy can be as addictive as crack.

Yes but I am not overweight or obese - but yes I hear exactly what you are saying - but I picked up some Karela today that is the one! Is the best way to get the BF% down is by doing cardio exercises alone?

[xjay1234]

Perhaps we have a definition problem here but afaik (And the studies I am looking at) you can completely reset your body in this regard and not have this problem anymore. By this I do NOT mean you can all of a sudden start popping a bag of candy each day.

~T

There are conflicting opinion in general - but there are people who had a high sugar level and with lifestyle change BOOM back down to normal - however they are still classed as Diabetic because if they don't maintain their diet they can go right back to Type 2 for real.

[xjay1234]

keep fruit to a minimum.. and type 2 diabetes is not reversible at all... some people can control it with diet and exercise, but cannot reverse it...

With Type 2 you can reverse and get your sugar level to normal but again as I said to the other user you must maintain diet and lifestyle otherwise you will go back.

But even when you do get your level back to normal - you are still classed as diabetic - cos yes once you have it you can get it again.

It is like having a cold sore - some people have it ONCE then it never comes back ever again - some people have the virus in their system but for them they have been blessed to never have an out break.

Not the best example I know hahaha

[xjay1234]

You could always use cinnamon on your oats. Cinnamon shouldn't aggravate your type 2 diabetes and actually may help. Of course, run this by your Dr./nutritionist.
Notice that I italicized "may" because I have read/seen a few contradictory studies.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778087

I think Cinnamon would be fine - but I will research into that

Good idea!

[xjay1234]

Mate,

At this point, I'd think you would look at your recent acquisition of Type II diabetes would be a wake up call. It would seem, amongst other things, that your desire for the "sweet" flavor has gotten you into a whole shit load of trouble (hence the Type II), and it would seem clear to me it is now time to distance yourself from this type flavor. You need to reboot your whole system, and get off this kick for sweets. True, you could go the artificial sweetener route, but then you would not have addressed this addiction you have. Instead, it sounds like you need to reeducate your tastebuds into enjoying other things besides the sweet flavor. It's like being an alchoholic and deciding that you are giving up booze, just not beer. You would probably be better off getting off the sweet kick altogether.

This struggle is just like the struggle you experience the first two weeks on the Atkins diet. You really crave the carbs, and then, after a couple of weeks, not so much. the carb craving goes away, and I'm going to suggest the same phenomenom is taking place here, except we are talking sweets, not carbs.

This is what I would do. Sweets/carbs/lousy diet got you in this pickle, now it's time to find a way out.

Sorry, just my .02'
---Roman

Yes it has woke me up - I have not used any sugar at all only sugar I have ate has been via Kiwi Fruit (eating with the skin) and high juice ratio that is it - of course they say there is sugar even in whole wheat bread. But I have cut down DRAMATICALLY now and I am more cautious then ever of what I am eating. Going to be eating that Karela vegetable as well.

But I can see how I slowly will adapt.

But unless it is a diabetic thing - but do you ever sometimes feel you need to have some sugar to give yourself a lil energy?

Protein Wheys that has sugar as well aspartame - sweeteners the lot - unless you get a special type.

Why reason why I got this Type 2 is cos I was heavy handed with the sugar in my cereal and also cos of the slight passion for sweets - imagine this eating a small pack of Haribos then going to your routine night run? LOL

But of course need to cut out that crazed sugar which I have and I am doing - but just sometimes think I must at least have a small taste so I can enjoy a LIL but sometimes like you say have to do what you have to do....

[hellomycognomen]

Yes but I am not overweight or obese - but yes I hear exactly what you are saying - but I picked up some Karela today that is the one! Is the best way to get the BF% down is by doing cardio exercises alone?

IMO the best way to lower bf% is clean calorie restricted diet. Incorporating strength based training will be superior to steady state cardio. If you want to perform some sort of "cardio" routine I would either go with HIIT type (plyometrics) training or sprints.

But you also have to consider what your goals are and what you want your body to look like. Do you want distance runner legs or sprinter legs?

[xjay1234]

IMO the best way to lower bf% is clean calorie restricted diet. Incorporating strength based training will be superior to steady state cardio. If you want to perform some sort of "cardio" routine I would either go with HIIT type (plyometrics) training or sprints.

But you also have to consider what your goals are and what you want your body to look like. Do you want distance runner legs or sprinter legs?

Nobody wants long distance legs lol

[hellomycognomen]

Nobody wants long distance legs lol

Haha, you would be surprised man.

[Times Roman]

Yes it has woke me up - I have not used any sugar at all only sugar I have ate has been via Kiwi Fruit (eating with the skin) and high juice ratio that is it - of course they say there is sugar even in whole wheat bread. But I have cut down DRAMATICALLY now and I am more cautious then ever of what I am eating. Going to be eating that Karela vegetable as well.

But I can see how I slowly will adapt.

But unless it is a diabetic thing - but do you ever sometimes feel you need to have some sugar to give yourself a lil energy?

Protein Wheys that has sugar as well aspartame - sweeteners the lot - unless you get a special type.

Why reason why I got this Type 2 is cos I was heavy handed with the sugar in my cereal and also cos of the slight passion for sweets - imagine this eating a small pack of Haribos then going to your routine night run? LOL

But of course need to cut out that crazed sugar which I have and I am doing - but just sometimes think I must at least have a small taste so I can enjoy a LIL but sometimes like you say have to do what you have to do....

Mate,

One last comment. All Carbs really are just sugar. That whole wheat bread you seem to think isn't sugar? Well, it's really just pure sugar. It only takes a few seconds to convert whole wheat bread into sugar. Doubt my word? put 1/4 slice of whole wheat bread into your mouth. Slowly chew the bread, but do not swallow. Within ten seconds or so, you will notice the flavor has picked up a "sweetness" to it. This is the enzymes in your mouth converting the simple carb in the bread into, you got it, sugar.

I think you need to educate yourself as to what really sugar is. Get comfortable with a foods glycemic value, and avoid the lower values commonly found in bread, pasta, and even fruit.

Until you know this cold, your "guest" (type 2), will stay permanently.

Here is the build up of carbs and starches

cellulose > starch > complex carbs > simple carbs > sugar

good luck!
---Roman

[psyBorg]

5.1 mmol/L.. is that after an 8 hours fast?
pre-diabetic range I thought was above 6.0mmol fasted, and diagnosis of diabetes is above 6.9mmol. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your blood glucose is in the normal range 4.0-5.9.

With that said, the more you like sweets, the better it indicates IMO that it's about time to go cold turkey