Can People With Diabetes Eat Switch Candy Bars? Tips for Choosing Sweet Treats With Diabetes

Is Switch a Candy Bar That's Safe for People With Diabetes?

Candy is a common treat that many people enjoy eating. However, for those with diabetes, candy can raise blood sugar levels and should be eaten in moderation. One candy bar that some people with diabetes may wonder about is Switch, a chocolate bar made by Nestl. Here's a detailed look at whether Switch can be safely eaten by people with diabetes.

What is Switch?

Switch is a chocolate bar made by Nestl. It contains chocolate, sugar, milk, cocoa butter, and artificial flavors. The bar is coated with a hard sugar shell and has a creamy chocolate filling inside. Switch comes in several flavors like milk chocolate, dark chocolate, mint, and caramel.

Each Switch bar contains around 220 calories, 24g of carbohydrates, 3g of protein, 12g of fat, and 18g of sugar. It's considered a chocolate candy bar similar to Milky Way or Snickers.

Can People With Diabetes Eat Switch?

People with diabetes need to watch their carbohydrate and sugar intake closely. Consuming too many carbs or too much sugar causes blood sugar levels to spike. While Switch does contain carbs and sugar, people with diabetes can work it into their diet in moderation.

The key is controlling portion sizes and not overdoing it. One fun sized Switch bar has 13g of carbs and 9g of sugar. This is a reasonable carb count for a small treat. However, eating multiple bars or full sized bars takes carb and sugar consumption too high.

Switch also contains fat and protein, which helps slow down the rate at which sugar enters the bloodstream. This helps prevent spikes and crashes in blood glucose.

Tips for Choosing Switch With Diabetes

If you want to enjoy Switch as an occasional treat with diabetes, here are some tips:

• Stick to fun size or mini bars - they have smaller serving sizes.
• Pair it with protein like nuts to help control blood sugar response.
• Check your blood sugar before and after eating to see the impact.
• Balance carb intake from Switch by reducing other carbs at the meal.
• Only consume Switch bars once in awhile as a special treat.

Other Candy Options for People With Diabetes

While Switch can be suitable in moderation, there are other great candy options for people with diabetes to consider as well:

• Jelly beans - Generic jelly beans have about 8g carbs per 10 beans. Look for low glycemic varieties too.
• Mini chocolate chips - A tbsp serving of mini chocolate chips has 15g carbs. Measure portions carefully.
• Skittles - Around 15 regular skittles has 15g carbs. Control portions to keep intake in check.
• Starburst - 2 regular starburst candies have 15g carbs. Consume them occasionally as a treat.
• Reese's Miniatures - With 3g carbs each, mini Reese's allow you to enjoy more pieces.

Focusing on miniature or individually wrapped candies allows better portion control for diabetes management.

What About Sugar-Free Candy With Diabetes?

Sugar-free candies use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. Options like sugar-free chocolates, gum, and gummy bears won't affect blood sugar levels. However, there are some drawbacks of sugar-free candy to consider:

• Sugar alcohols like malitol can cause GI discomfort like gas or diarrhea.
• Artificial sweeteners are much more intensely sweet than sugar.
• Research on their health effects is mixed, with some studies linking them to problems.
• Sugar-free candy offers no nutrition and cannot be eaten freely.

Sugar-free candy may be an occasional alternative for people with diabetes. But they should not become an everyday habit.

Other Tips for Eating Candy With Diabetes

If you plan to integrate candy into your diet, here are some other tips that can help:

• Always account for candy carbohydrates in your meal plan.
• Test blood sugar before and 2 hours after eating candy to understand effects.
• Pair candy with protein, fat, or fiber to help control blood sugar response.
• Spread out carb intake evenly throughout the day.
• Don't eat candy if blood glucose is already elevated.
• Stick to a regular carbohydrate intake goal each day.

The Bottom Line

People with diabetes can eat occasional small amounts of candy like Switch in moderation. Focus on controlling portion sizes, balancing carbs/sugar, and limiting frequency of consumption. Mini candy bars or pieces are a good option. Pair candy with protein and monitor blood sugar levels for safer consumption.

Diabetes requires careful carb counting and smart food choices. But you don't have to eliminate sweets altogether. Make candy an occasional treat, select options with less sugar, and control portions for the best results.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.