Can People With Diabetes Eat Candy? Here's What Experts Say

Having diabetes doesn't mean giving up candy for good. Experts say the type, the portion, and the timing all play a role in whether a sweet treat can fit into your day.

If you have diabetis, it’s not necessarily bad to eat candy. This is according to medical experts who say it all depends on how much candy you eat, the type of candy, and when you eat them.

Why Amount and Frequency Matter

"The occasional piece of candy can absolutely fit into a healthy, balanced lifestyle for someone living with diabetes," said Sarah Hormachea, a diabetes care and education specialist.

Because candy gets most of its carbohydrates from added sugar, which the body turns into glucose, it can cause a spike in blood sugar. This is why, for Toby Smithson of the American Diabetes Association, how often you eat candy, how much you eat, and how many carbs are in a serving are what matter.

For Hormachea, the more important risk of candy intake involves the displacement of other more important nutrients. When you eat too much candy, this leaves less room for foods with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for energy and metabolic health.

The USDA limits added sugar intake to no more than 10 percent of daily calories. The American Heart Association recommends lower, at 6 percent, which for a 2,000-calorie diet translates to 30 grams of added sugar, about the amount found in most standard-sized candy bars.

Not All Candy Is Equal

The type of candy also matters because this determines how quickly it travels to the bloodstream. Hard candies and those without nuts or chocolate absorb faster, taking about 15 minutes to raise blood glucose levels.

Meanwhile, candies with chocolate, nuts, or other fats break down slower, though according to Smithson, they can still have a significant effect. Hormachea recommends candy with some protein or fat, such as peanut butter cups or Snickers instead of sugar-based candies like Smarties, Life Savers, Pixy Stix, or Jolly Ranchers.

Sugar-Free Isn't Always Safer

It’s also important to be wary of candies labeled sugar-free because this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safer. Hormachea says many of these products use sugar alcohols like sorbitol, which can cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea when ingested in large amounts.

Everyday Health adds that some sugar-free sweets still have flour or starches, and sugar alcohols such as xylitol and erythritol may increase blood sugar in some people, so it’s best to check nutrition labels.

When to Eat Candy

As for when to eat candy, Rainie Robinson, a clinical nutrition director, suggests eating it after meals, as a dessert instead of as a snack between meals. This is because you tend to be fuller after a meal so this encourages you to eat less candy.

Robinson also suggests eating small portions of candy and avoiding over-indulging. If you find that the menu has a sweet dessert you love, you can skip starches like rice, pasta, or potatoes during dinner so you can enjoy that sweet treat and balance things out.

To be safe, you can also check your blood sugar level first before having candy. According to Diane Norwood, a dietitian and diabetes educator, if you find that your blood sugar level is already over your target, skip the candy. If not, you can have that candy, but Norwood suggests checking your blood sugar level again two hours later to see how that candy affected it.

When Candy Is Used as Treatment

It’s not uncommon for people with diabetes to carry candy with them for medical purposes. This is because some people with diabetes take insulin, which may cause blood sugar levels to drop too low, requiring a fast-acting sugar treatment. This is where candy comes in, particularly those made entirely of sugar, like jelly beans and gummy bears, which work well for this purpose.

The American Diabetes Association recommends the "15/15 rule," which means taking about 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, rechecking after 15 minutes, and repeating if levels are still low.

Because every person's blood sugar responds differently, it is still best for people with diabetes to consult with their doctor first for more guided advice concerning candy intake.