Sugar-free sweets: Healthy choice or clever label?

Walk into any Mumbai mithai shop and you may find a counter labelled "sugar‑free." For a person living with diabetes sugar‑free can look like a guilt‑free invitation. Does sugar‑free automatically mean diabetes‑friendly? Sugar‑free does not always mean diabetes‑friendly.“Sugar‑free" describes sugar content; "sugar‑free" does not mean carbohydrate‑free, calorie‑free or healthy. Many sugar‑free mithais, chocolates, biscuits and desserts still contain flour, starch, milk solids, ghee, cream or considerable saturated fat. These ingredients can raise blood glucose add calories and make weight management more difficult.Sweetness may come from sweeteners such as stevia, sucralose or aspartame. Sugar‑free sweets usually have direct effect on blood glucose when consumed within approved limits. Other sugar‑free sweets contain sugar alcohols, called polyols, including maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol and erythritol.Polyols generally cause a glucose rise than ordinary sugar but "smaller" does not mean "zero." Maltitol, commonly used in sugar‑free chocolate can still produce a glucose response. Larger amounts of polyols may also cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea.The American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Standards of Care states that non‑nutritive sweeteners may replace sugar‑sweetened products in moderation and for the term provided the substitution actually reduces total carbohydrate and calorie intake. Sugar‑free sweets are tools but sugar‑free sweets do not convert sweets into health foods.Before buying ignore the promise, on the front and study the nutrition panel on the back. Check serving size, total carbohydrate, calories, saturated fat and the ingredient list. Compare sugar‑free sweets values with the version. Remember that a small stated serving can make almost any product appear harmless.People using mealtime insulin may require guidance because different polyols are absorbed differently. Sugar‑free sweets must never be used to treat hypoglycaemia; absorbed glucose is required.An occasional small portion of sugar‑free sweets can fit into a diabetes plan. For snacking whole fruit, nuts, seeds or unsweetened curd usually provide better nutrition and greater fullness.Sugar‑free is a label, not a licence. Read the carbs respect the portion.Removing sugar does not remove consequences; the whole sweet still counts for glucose, weight and long‑term heart health too.Dr Altamash Shaikh, Consultant Endocrinologist, Saifee Hospital, MumbaiGet the latest movie news, reviews, and celebrity updates. Download the TOI App.