Endocrinology-Diabetes Questions Endocrinology-Diabetes

Can diabetics eat brown sugar?

I am a 55 year old female and I have diabetes. Can diabetics eat brown sugar?

10 Answers

Not recommended.
It is not recommended because like white sugars, it will raise the blood sugars.

Ali A. Achira, MD
Granular brown sugar has about half the calories of granular white sugar. In general, diabetics should avoid all forms of sugar.
NO. Brown sugar is still sugar & provides the same calories & elevation of BS as white sugar. Sugar is sugar whether white (refined) or brown (unrefined or malted). Artificial sweeteners are safe & most are tasty. Stick with them & avoid any form of sugar.
Brown sugar, no. Coconut sugar, yes. Sucanate, yes, but still in moderation and in the accompaniment of fiber and fat.
Sugar is still sugar regardless of the form that it presents itself. As a whole, diabetics should not be eating sugar whether that is brown sugar in this case.
While brown sugar may seem like an alternative to white table sugar, it is actually made by adding molasses to table sugar making the two of them minimally different. Artificial sweeteners may seem tempting to use as well but they often stimulate your body to desire sweets making them not a good alternative. If you are looking for a possible sweet substitute then honey would be an option though a diabetic patient should minimize its use as well. I hope this is helpful.
Like other forms of sugar, brown sugar consumption should be reduced to a minimum for diabetics. However, if you do use any sugar at all, brown sugar is a slightly healthier option.
To maintain best blood sugar regulation, diabetics should avoid brown sugar.
Despite slight differences in taste, brown and white sugar have a very similar nutrient profile and effect on blood sugar levels. Therefore, brown sugar does not provide any benefits to people with diabetes.