GO FOR

Water
Water is the ideal choice to hydrate your body without worrying about affecting your blood sugar levels. Since water does not provide calories, it is also helpful for weight management. Think water is too plain? Simply add a squeeze of lemon or lime!

Less Sugar
Choose less sweet options and ask for less sugar (or even “sugar-free”) whenever possible. Be assured that your palate will soon adjust to accept the less sugar taste!

WATCH OUT FOR

Fruit Juice
Fruit juices may sound “healthy”, but don’t forget that they do provide calories and carbohydrates (fruit itself contains naturally-occurring sugars). This applies to both freshly squeezed juices and packaged juice products, even those with “no added sugar”. Therefore, you might be better off consuming fruit instead of drinking the juice. Consider this: a glass of commercial apple juice provides 100 kcal and 25 g of carbohydrates, while one small apple contains 79 kcal and 17 g of carbohydrates. Besides, precious dietary fiber is often removed during the juicing process.

Soft Drinks
Soft drinks often contain a high amount of added sugar, leading to a sharp rise in blood sugar levels. To give you an idea, regular carbonated drinks typically contain between 7 to 9 teaspoons of sugar per serving! Furthermore, soft drinks provide “empty calories”, which only contain calories without any beneficial nutrients.

Sip for thought

Consider a diabetes-specific formula the next time you’re longing for a milkshake or bubble tea. Such formulas are specially designed for people with diabetes to help manage blood sugar levels and, at the same time, provide complete and balanced nutrition to meet the needs of your body. They taste delicious too! Consult your dietitian to find out how you can incorporate a diabetes-specific formula into your meal plan.