created: 30.09.2004
last modified: 30.09.2004
In order to support a diet that fits the needs of a diabetic, the usage of specific diabetes or diet food products is not always necessary but recommendable. Before choosing one of these products one should be familiar with what to demand from such a product.
Special diabetic food products are hard to find in the average German super market. So - called "Reformhäuser" (Bio - mini - markets) usually have the bigger variety. The products are labelled "speziell für Diabetiker" (=especially for diabetics) or "für Diabetiker geeignet" (=suitable for diabetics). Unlike "normal" products they contain sweeteners or artificial substitutes instead of sugar. Although it's not compulsory, many of those products also offer information about the bread units included. Inspecting the list of ingredients is additional control. Contrary to other than products with natural sugar, like for example lemonade or chocolate, the usage of artificial sweeteners has the advantage of a less quickly rising blood glucose level after the consumption.
What needs to be taken account of, is the fact that artificial sweeteners have a different nutrition value. They may taste sweet but contain no energy. On the list of ingredients they are noted down as saccharine or "Cyclamat". Another advantage of sweeteners is that they are cooking and baking resistant, that means their sweet taste doesn't get lost while preparing a meal. Sugar exchange substances are also artificial, but they contain as many calories as conventional sugar. Sugar exchange substances are "Sorbit", "Fructose", "Isomalt" and "Xylit". The companies PEA and FRANKONIA advertise using fructose instead of conventional sugar. It is sweeter than normal sugar and also has little impact on the blood glucose level. Information about ingredients and food value make it easier to calculate the bread units.
Diet Food
Diabetic food is hardly available and most of the times extremely expensive. Many diabetics alternatively make use of diet products. For many products a "dietetic" alternative is available. In Germany the manufacturers advertise with the label "DIÄT", which may mislead the customer. Only a few pay attention to the fact that not everything labelled "diet", really offers a product with less calories. According to the German Diet Regulation every food product that serves the purpose of a special form of diet is a so - called "diet product". This doesn't only count for calorie - reduced products but also for products with a low sodium level or without gluten. These products need to be marked and need to have a minimum amount of minerals, trace elements and vitamins. Before you buy something you should take a close look at the packing.
Shopping tip: When looking through the supermarket shelves you can find sweets with a label that shows a small "tooth-man" with an umbrella. These are tooth friendly sweets that use sugar substitutes only, which makes them also suitable for diabetics.
Fake "light products"
The term "light" sounds like little fat or sugar, which is misleading as well. The term "light" is not protected or defined in terms of food laws. So the label "light" can be found almost everywhere, decaffeinated coffee, alcohol - free, or only slightly carbonated beverages can all have the label "light". They don't make you any "lighter". Only products that have fat and sugar substituted by sweeteners, water or emulsifiers, have a positive effect on the energy level.
Bottom Line
Don't buy things without checking, but study the packing and the list of ingredients thoroughly. Pay attention what this product is labelled! If something is unclear, let the staff people give you advice.
