For many people, the best snack to consume with tea must be biscuits. People enjoy dipping a biscuit in a hot cup of tea. Tea and biscuits make a great combination. If you are also one of those people, just stop having biscuits often.
Biscuits contain refined flour (maida), sugar, oil, or butter. And, they pack extra calories. But there are some healthy options as well. Sugar-free, zero-calorie biscuits!! Sugar-free biscuits are widespread these days. Every person is choosing them to:
- become healthy
- lose weight
- keep a check on their daily calorie consumption.
These biscuits are famous among diabetics. They can enjoy biscuits without having sugars. And, they can keep their blood sugars within limits. So, are you prepared to replace biscuits with sugar-free biscuits? Wait, let us first have a look on:
- what is sugar-free
- its benefits or side effects
- which is a better option
- who can eat it and who should not?
What is Sugar-Free?
Sugar-free does not indicate “without sugar”. It implies artificial sweeteners. Sugar-free is 100 times sweeter in comparison to sugar. Also, it is very low in calories. And, this makes them common among diabetics. Sugar-free comprises less or no carbs.
And, this keeps blood glucose levels within desired limits. Different types of sweeteners come on the market. These include stevia, palm sugar, sucralose, saccharin, date sugar, aspartame, etc.
Having sugar-free foods certainly aid in lowering weight and blood glucose levels.
Also Read: Glycomet GP1 tablets uses.
Are Sugar-Free Biscuits Good for Diabetes?
Sugar-free biscuits are truly not as healthy as it states. “No sugar added” does not indicate that it won’t increase the blood sugar levels. It comprises refined flour (maida), artificial sweeteners, oil, salt, and preservatives. Maida is very high on the glycemic index scale. Maida:
- affects the blood sugar levels
- increases bad cholesterol
- increases the body weight.
Oil disturbs cholesterol and triglycerides levels. And, salt and sodium in biscuits affect blood pressure. Sugar-free intake over a longer run may lead to:
- bloating
- weight gain
- fluctuations in blood sugars.
Also, artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than normal sugar. And, this makes a person crave to eat more sweet and high-calorie food. It is perfectly ok to eat them once in a while but not regularly. Sugar-free biscuits do not comprise sugar. Also, they are rich in carbs that increase blood sugar levels.
Points to Remember while purchasing Biscuits
Every person buys a biscuit that is under most advertisements. Or, the ones that are sugar-free or zero calories or zero fat. But this is not just the correct way as it may mislead a person. Read on to learn how to opt for the best biscuit or cookies:
Nutritional Facts: Always keep a check on the nutrition information on the back of the packet. It helps a person decide which is a better option for him or her. In the constituent list, check what all biscuits are formed of.
Type of Flour: Avoid biscuits coming from refined flour. In its place, opt for the one made up of oats, millets, or multigrain flour
Avoid Sugar: Ensure that biscuits do not contain any sugar or honey in them. At times, to make their product healthy and sugar-free companies use some terms. These may include sucrose, malt, syrup, dextrin instead of sugar.
So, read the constituents very carefully. And, ensure biscuits do not contain any of these forms of sugar.
Total Amount of carbs: Check the number of total carbs present in the biscuit. Also, choose the one that contains the lowest amount of carbs in them. Sugar-free biscuits with high amounts of carbs might increase blood sugar levels.
Quantity and Type of Fat: Search for trans fats and saturated fats present in them. Aim to opt for the one that has zero trans-fat and the lowest saturated fats.
How many sugar-free biscuits are safe for a diabetic?
The following points are important for a diabetic to have sugar-free biscuits:
- Try not to have them regularly.
- If consuming every day with tea, avoid consuming more than 2 biscuits in a day.
- Avoid consuming them in mid-meals. Rather, consume any 1 seasonal fruit of choice. Having biscuits in mid-meals to lower long meal gaps and manage fluctuations in blood sugar levels can enhance the sugar levels. As they are rich in carbs.
- Replace biscuits with healthy tea snacks. These can be bhuna chana, roasted peanuts, roasted makhana, roasted chivda, cashews, pistachios, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.