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What is a "free food"?
"Free foods" are foods that can be eaten freely without affecting diabetes control or weight, those with less than 20 calories and 5 grams carbohydrate per serving. Examples include diet soft drinks, sugar-free gelatin dessert, sugar-free ice pops, sugarless gum and sugar-free syrup.
Sugar-free does not mean carbohydrate-free. Compare the total carbohydrate content of a sugar-free food with that of the standard product. If there is a big difference in carbohydrate content between the two foods, you may want to buy the sugar-free food. If there is little difference in the total grams of carbohydrate between the two foods, choose the one you want based on price and taste. Make sure to read the label carefully to make the best choice.
"No sugar added" foods do not have any form of sugar added during processing or packaging, and do not contain high-sugar ingredients. But remember, they may still be high in carbohydrate, so you have to check the label. Fat-free foods can be higher in carbohydrates and contain almost the same calories as the foods they replace. Fat-free cookies are a good example. Fat-free foods are not necessarily a better choice than the standard product, so read your labels carefully.
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- What can I do if I overeat over the holidays?
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- Diabetes 101
Diabetes 101