Can people with diabetes, or those who watch their blood sugar, eat these sweets? — Smart Sweets CANDIES with Stevia, Pineapple-Green Pear Jelly Flavor 90 g Sugar-Free Di&Di

The sweets contain no added sugar or fructose, which makes them an interesting option for people who limit their sugar intake. However, this does not automatically make them safe for people with diabetes or insulin resistance.

Maltitol is a sugar alcohol with a glycaemic index of around 35 (for comparison, sugar is around 65). It is partly absorbed and does affect blood glucose, although to a lesser extent than ordinary sugar. People with diabetes should take this into account when counting carbohydrates.

Stevia has practically no effect on the glycaemic response and is a well-studied sweetener in the context of diabetes, but in this product it is a secondary component rather than the main one.

The product can therefore be seen as a gentler alternative to ordinary sweets, but it is not specialised diabetic food. Before eating it regularly with diabetes, prediabetes or other conditions that require blood sugar control, it is advisable to consult a doctor or dietitian. The product is not intended to treat or prevent any disease.