Diabetics and people trying to eat healthier have been urged to avoid one label on food packaging that may be illegal
For those recently diagnosed with diabetes or simply attempting to adopt a healthier lifestyle, navigating which brands, labels and foods to trust can prove bewildering. Experts at Diabetes UK have shed light on this matter, warning everyone to steer clear of products marked as ‘diabetic food’.
They revealed: “To say food is a ‘diabetic food’ is now against the law. This is because there isn’t any evidence that these foods offer you a special benefit over eating healthily.
“They can also often contain just as much fat and calories as similar products, and can still affect your blood glucose level. These foods can also sometimes have a laxative effect.”
Branding products as ‘diabetic food’ is banned in the UK as it’s been considered misleading owing to the absence of scientific proof that it delivers any advantages to diabetics, whilst also confusing those newly diagnosed, persuading them that they need these products in their diet.
This restriction also applies to descriptions such as ‘suitable for diabetics’. Beyond the confusion generated by these labels, the foods were typically pricier than their regular equivalents.
Rather than seeking out ‘diabetic’ food labels, Diabetes UK suggested making several substitutions initially, such as choosing healthier carbohydrates like wholemeal grains, fruit and plain yoghurt.
The experts advised cutting back on a number of items including:
- Salt
- Foods low in fibre like white bread
- Red meat
- Processed meat
- Free sugar
- Alcohol
- Supplements
Free sugars are sugars added to foods by manufacturers or by you during preparation, such as adding sugars to your morning coffee. Some straightforward ways to ditch free sugars is in your beverages by switching sugary fizzy drinks, energy drinks and fruit juices with water, plain milk or tea and coffee without sugar.
Low or zero-calorie sweeteners can also be a useful alternative for those attempting to reduce their sugar consumption for weight management purposes too.
The experts added: “There’s no evidence that mineral and vitamin supplements help you manage your diabetes. So, unless you’ve been told to take something by your healthcare team, like folic acid for pregnancy, you don’t need to take supplements.
“It’s better to get your essential nutrients by eating a mixture of different foods. This is because some supplements can affect your medications or make some diabetes complications worse, like kidney disease.”