CHOCOLATES FOR DIABETICSWe are often asked the question “Do you sell chocolates for diabetics?”
The answer is no. In short, the reason is that Diabetes UK does not recommend the use of so called “diabetic foods”.
The following is abridged from the Diabetes UK Diet Information Services Statement of July 2002 which is a joint statement with the Food Standards Agency.
"Diabetic foods” were popular in the 1960’s when diabetics were recommended to eat a sugar free, low carbohydrate diet. The idea of “sugar free” foods became appealing and many manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon when they saw there was a market to exploit.
By the 1980’s scientific studies showed that it was not beneficial for diabetics to have a diet low in carbohydrates. The associated fat high content of such a diet could exacerbate the long-term complications of diabetes, particularly heart disease.
Therefore, the U.K. and many other countries issued guidelines recommending that fat restriction and energy regulation should be the primary dietary objectives. Total avoidance of sugar is now unnecessary.
Like the rest of the population, people with diabetes are encouraged to eat a diet low in fat, sugar and salt, with plenty of fruit, vegetables and meals based on starchy carbohydrate foods like bread and potatoes.
Nowadays, ordinary cakes and biscuits can be consumed as part of a balanced diet without being detrimental to diabetes control. There is no single food that must be excluded from the diet of people with diabetes.
The continued existence of special “diabetic” foods creates a number of problems. Labelling a product “diabetic” gives it a stamp of approval which some people with diabetes find hard to ignore – they may even believe it to be beneficial or essential.
As these foods can cost more than their conventional counterparts, this is really conning diabetics.
The main concern is that promoting a range of confectionery goods as “diabetic” completely undermines dietary education in diabetes care. Consequently… Diabetes UK wants to see their removal from the shelves”.
Click to see the Diabetes UK website:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk
