Can Diabetics Eat Honey?
If you are a diabetic and in love with everything sweet, you don’t really have to give up on your sweet cravings just yet. There is hope for you! People who have diabetes are often told to steer clear of foods that are high on sugar content. But substituting regular or refined sugar with Honey is an alternate they can opt for (in consultation with the doctor of course).
Can Sugar Patients/Diabetics eat Honey?
We would not say that if you are suffering from diabetes you should consume honey without restriction or without doctor’s consultation. Anything taken in excess can run you the risk of falling sick and especially if you are a diabetic, you have to be extra careful of what you eat as it can drastically effect your blood sugar levels.
Honey is a natural sweetener and considered to be a healthier alternative to regular sugar. No doubt, owing to the lesser amount of carbohydrates found in honey, its impact on the one’s blood sugar levels is slightly better than that of sugar. Also, honey is easy to digest compared to sugar and works well in keeping the metabolism levels high. This difference arises because honey is broken down in the body by the enzymes already present in honey. In the case of sugar, you may require enzymes from your body itself. Note that honey should be taken by diabetics after consultation with their doctors.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs due inability of the pancreas to produce or sufficiently utilize insulin. There are four most common forms of diabetes that people suffer from. They are:
- Type 1 diabetes—a form of diabetes where the pancreas produces little or no amount of insulin
- Type 2 diabetes—a chronic type of diabetes that affects the way the body processes blood sugar or glucose
- Prediabetes—a condition in which the blood sugar levels are high but not high enough as in the case of type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes—it is a condition that usually affects pregnant women
Consumption of honey depends upon the type of diabetes one is suffering from. The diet of diabetic people is supposed to be a strict one and controlled in terms of sugar and carbohydrates. No wonder, 'Can a Diabetic Eat Honey?' is among the most frequently asked questions by diabetic people. Each diabetic person’s body react differently to different food groups and so the consumption of honey totally depends upon the amount of sugar and carbohydrates their body would require on a daily basis to be able to function properly and normally. Honey, in comparison to table or white sugar, requires lower level of insulin and does not raise the blood sugar levels as rapidly as in the case of consumption of white sugar. Including honey in moderation and keeping a tab of your blood sugar levels before and after consumption of honey will help you realize how much honey is good for your health.
Therefore, before embarking on any diet or inclusion of any form of sweetener in your diet, taking suggestions & advice on the same from your doctor is very important. He would be the best person to advice you on the kind and amount of sugar you would be required to consume on a daily basis to keep yourself fit and healthy.
Before jumping to any conclusion to eternal question of 'Can Diabetics eat Honey?', we need to first understand what honey is, it’s source of production and what makes it a healthy alternative to table sugar.
What is Honey?
ature’s sweetest gift to mankind, honey is a product made from flower nectar in combination with the enzymes secreted by the bees. It is supersaturated solution of sugar, minerals, vitamins and enzymes and is mainly composed of fructose and glucose. Rich in antioxidants, amino acids and anti-microbial properties; honey in its rawest form is considered to be a super-food and can be utilized for treating various problems.
What makes using honey in diabetes better than using refined sugar?
Honey vs Sugar, is a debate that never seems to end. Mankind is known to have been consuming honey for thousands of years now. It is revered for its natural medicinal properties and therefore included in various kinds of treatments. But is that a reason enough to consider honey to be a better and healthier alternative to sugar? Let’s find out…
Honey is denser than sugar and contains about 68 calories and 17.2 gm of carbohydrate per tablespoon. It is higher in fructose than glucose and because of which, one tends to consume lesser amount of it in comparison to sugar. Precisely the reason why one ends up adding lesser amount of it in their tea or dessert (in comparison to sugar) that too without sacrificing the joys of tasting something sweet.
Refined or normal sugar on the other hand is a combination of glucose and fructose which combine together to form sucrose. It is also devoid of any vitamins or minerals and is also high in carbohydrate levels. Therefore, sugar is considered to be unhealthy and a major source of empty calories’’ in the body.
How does Honey Help You Stay Healthy?
Honey is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products introduced to humankind since ancient times. Honey is used not only as a nutritional product but also as an alternative treatment for clinical conditions ranging from wound healing to other treatments. The honey has been reported to exert antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory & antiproliferative.
It is to be noted that it is not sugar but the high level of carbohydrates consumed through sugar or other food items that turn out to be cause of worry in people with diabetics. Therefore, to keep their blood sugar levels in control, diabetic people are advised to go low on sugary stuff and limit their consumption of food items that are high on carbohydrates. Also, it is recommended that if you are a diabetic, your carbohydrate intake should range somewhere between 45gms-60gms per meal per day. Anything more than that can be a cause of discomfort.
If sugar and carbohydrates are the main enemies of health of a diabetic person, is honey for diabetic patient a good option, is the question we try to answer through this article.
Listed below are few recipes that will not only help keep your sugar levels in-check but also alleviate your mood if you find it hard to fight away those sweet cravings.
Effective Ways to Use Honey if you’re a Diabetic:
Note: We recommend use of Dabur Honey as it comes packed with essential vitamins and minerals that support a healthy lifestyle.
*Do consult your doctor before trying any of these recipes as they might not be suitable for people suffering with high levels of blood sugar.
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Honey & Yogurt
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
Method:
- Mix the ingredients well
- Have this mixture first thing in the morning on an empty stomach
- Repeat this every day for a month, and witness the gradual drop in your blood sugar levels
suitable for people suffering with high levels of blood sugar.
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Honey & Cinnamon
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 250 ml boiling water
Method:
- Take a tick of cinnamon (1/2 inch) and grind it into a fine powder
- Now, add the previously grounded cinnamon to a glass of boiling water
- Stir till the spice has completely dissolved in the water
- Cover the glass with a lid and keep it aside for about half an hour
- Now, add honey to the liquid mix & stir well
- Drink this concoction every morning on an empty stomach for two weeks for better results
suitable for people suffering with high levels of blood sugar.
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Honey, Basil, Neem & Turmeric
This mixture may taste a little bitter but the health benefits it comes packed with can help you stabilize your blood sugar levels.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 3 tablespoons dried basil powder
- 3 tablespoons dried neem powder
- 3 tablespoons turmeric powder
Method:
- Mix everything together in a bowl
- Transfer the mixture to a glass jar & store it in a cool and dry place (you can store this mixture for up to a week)
- In the morning, take a tablespoon of this mixture and mix a teaspoon of honey to it (for better taste) and consume it on an empty stomach
- Repeat this process religiously for a month for desired results
suitable for people suffering with high levels of blood sugar.
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Honey, Ginger & Lemon Tea
Honey and ginger tea with a dash of lemon sounds like a perfect morning, doesn’t it? But did you know drinking this tea on a regular basis can regularize your blood sugar levels while keeping you feeling fresh and energized all day long?
Ingredients:
- 2-inch ginger
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1/2 teaspoon tea leaves
- 4 cups water
Method:
- In a pan, add ginger, tea leaves and water
- Let the mix simmer on low flame simmer for 5 to 10 minutes
- Now, remove the pan from the heat and add lemon juice to it and stir well
- Add honey to the mix before serving and enjoy
You can also try using Ginger and Honey by Dabur for this recipe.
suitable for people suffering with high levels of blood sugar.
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Honey with Green Tea
Green Tea and Honey makes for a refreshing and healthy tea option anytime of the day.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 tsp Honey
Method:
- Boil water in a pan
- Put the green tea bag and let it seep in water for 2-3 minutes
- Stir in a teaspoon of Honey
- Drink hot
The consumption of honey can be beneficial and is a good alternative than conventional sugar, which helps you to stay fit* & healthy. The same may be preferred in diabetics too over conventional sugar. However, the same needs to be consumed as per doctors advise.
Grab a bottle of Dabur Honey today!
