5 tricks for getting your sugar fix the safe way

Though we all crave a sugar fix once in a while, there's a way for people with diabetes to do it safely and in a healthy way. Here are five ways to make sure you don't go overboard.

Manufacturers usually just add more sugar to these, and research shows that most people will eat more of them than they would the regular version.

In some cases, manufacturers use sugar alcohols as sweetening agents in sugar-free products, which can cause intestinal gas and diarrhea.

• People with diabetes may have decreased motility in their gastrointestinal tract as it is, and these foods could make their digestive troubles worse.
• Also, sugar alcohols contain calories, so though they may be sugar-free, they're not calorie-free and can raise blood sugar.

Enjoy a small portion of a reduced-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt instead.

• Ice cream sandwiches work as well. Low-fat ice cream sandwiches are lower in carbohydrates, fat and calories than most chocolate treats.
• Just avoid ice cream bars covered in a chocolate coating because the coating tends to be made from tropical oils, which are high in saturated fat.
• When it comes to a frozen fudge bar or a candy bar, the former is the much better choice if you're watching your waistline.

• To satisfy a chocolate craving, dole out five or six of the semi-sweet chips used to make chocolate-chip cookies.

Dark chocolate is extremely rich in antioxidants that protect your heart as well as the rest of your body from cell-damaging free radicals.

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate devoid of any nutritional benefits. Even if an ingredient label doesn't list "sugar," that doesn't mean there isn't any.

Manufacturers use more kinds of sugar than you can shake a stick at, and it's worth familiarizing yourself with some of them so you're not fooled into thinking an item is better for you than it is.

Look for any of these:

• Amazake
• Brown sugar
• Carob powder
• Corn syrup
• Dextrose
• Evaporated cane juice
• Fructose
• Fruit juice concentrate
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Honey
• Maltose

To get a sense of how much sugar you're really eating, check the nutrition label for "Sugars," listed in grams. Every four grams is equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar. Experts suggest we limit our sugar intake to just 48 grams (12 teaspoons) a day from all food sources.

Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you can't ever get your sugar fix. It does mean you have to be more careful about how you do it. These five tricks can help you keep your health in mind when you indulge in sweets.