Practical Strategies to Help Reduce Added Sugars Consumption to Support Glycemic and Weight Management Goals

Abstract

Overconsumption of added sugars is a key contributor to the growing obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes pandemics. The nutrition therapy guidance of the American Diabetes Association recognizes that using low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) to reduce consumption of added sugars can reduce low–nutrient-density sources of calories and carbohydrate to beneficially affect glycemia, weight, and cardiometabolic health. This article provides information for primary care providers, diabetes care and education specialists, and other diabetes clinicians on the safety of LNCS and summarizes research evidence on the role of LNCS in glycemic and weight management. It also provides practical strategies for counseling individuals about how to integrate LNCS into their healthy eating pattern.

Type 2 Diabetes and Dietary Carbohydrate Intake of Adolescents and Young Adults: What Is the Impact of Different Choices?

“…The growing pandemic of obesity and T2D has led to the implementation of efforts to promote healthier eating habits and to contrast the overconsumption of added sugars [90,91]. In this context, low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) have gained a role in maintaining a sweet taste without adding extra energy, as occurs with foods and drinks containing added (or caloric) sugars [90].…”

“…Recently, some authors have suggested that LCSs reduce energy intake and may promote weight loss when substituted for caloric sugars (such as sucrose) [91,93]. As a consequence, LCSs could be a strategy to consider to lower the prevalence of obesity and T2D [91,94].…”

“…Recently, some authors have suggested that LCSs reduce energy intake and may promote weight loss when substituted for caloric sugars (such as sucrose) [91,93]. As a consequence, LCSs could be a strategy to consider to lower the prevalence of obesity and T2D [91,94]. Moreover, these authors suggested that LCSs do not adversely affect glycemic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose or postprandial glucose levels) or insulin regulation in individuals with T2D [91].…”

“…As a consequence, LCSs could be a strategy to consider to lower the prevalence of obesity and T2D [91,94]. Moreover, these authors suggested that LCSs do not adversely affect glycemic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose or postprandial glucose levels) or insulin regulation in individuals with T2D [91]. In a trial involving 641 normal-weight children, the replacement of sugar-sweetened beverages with LCS-added beverages for 18 months significantly reduced weight gain and body fat gain [95].…”

Use of sucralose in foods heated during manufacturing does not pose a risk to human health

“…Not all low/no calorie sweeteners are as stable as sucralose in foods, 22 meaning sucralose can be used to replace sugar in some applications where other sweeteners cannot. In general, low-calorie sweeteners approved for use have been recognized as a way to help reduce carbohydrate intake, important, for example, in diabetes meal planning 23,24 and to help reduce caloric intake, which can aid in weight management strategies. [25][26][27] In addition, sucralose is used already in many food applications.…”