How much honey a day can a diabetic have? (2023)

Is a teaspoon of honey a day good for diabetics?

Generally, there's no advantage to substituting honey for sugar in a diabetes eating plan. Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level.

Possible hypoglycemic impact. A small study from 2004 investigated honey and sugar's effects on blood glucose levels. The researcher found that a solution containing 75 g of honey raised blood sugar and insulin levels in people with and without type 2 diabetes within 30 minutes.

Given that a GI less than 55 is considered to be a low GI, therefore, by this standard, the average GI of honey at 61 means honey increases blood sugar levels relatively quickly.

It can increase your blood sugar level

Honey also has sugar and carbohydrates—that too in large amounts. So when you go overboard with honey, your blood sugar level tends to shoot up. If you are diabetic, you can see an abnormal rise in your blood sugar levels with can be dangerous.

One study from Turkish researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who ate 5-25 grams of honey daily for 4 months reduced their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is a measure of blood sugar control over recent months. But those who had more honey each day saw their A1c level rise.

Because honey can affect blood sugar, avoid it and other sweeteners until your diabetes is under control. Honey should be consumed in moderation. Speak with your healthcare provider before using it as an added sweetener.

Sucralose (Splenda), the Most Popular Sugar Substitute

This sweetener is excellent for people with type 2 diabetes.

Despite the health benefits that may be associated with honey, it's high in sugar — which can be detrimental to your health. In fact, studies show that high-sugar diets may be linked to obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, liver issues, and heart disease ( 23 , 24 ).

If you have high blood sugars before you go to sleep, the elevated level can persist until morning. A large dinner or a snack at bedtime can cause elevated blood sugar levels that last all night, as can too low a dose of insulin with your evening meal. Adjusting your medication or what and when you eat may help.

What drink lowers blood sugar?

Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk ( 20 , 21 ). Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best.

When your blood sugar level gets too high — known as hyperglycemia or high blood glucose — the quickest way to reduce it is to take fast-acting insulin. Exercising is another fast, effective way to lower blood sugar. In some cases, you should go to the hospital instead of handling it at home.

Honey is still a form of sugar and intake should be moderate. The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 100 calories a day from added sugars; men no more than 150 calories a day. This is a little over two tablespoons for women and three tablespoons for men.

“Honey should be treated like all added sugars, something to include in your diet carefully and kept to a minimum,” Keating says. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than nine teaspoons (36 grams) per day; women and children, no more than six teaspoons (24 grams) daily.

The recommendation for a healthy person, without weight problems, and who does not base his diet on an excessive consumption of sugars would be to take a maximum of one small spoon of honey a day. This is approximately 10 to 12 grams of honey.

Diabetics should avoid coke or any soft drinks as much as possible. Coke Zero is sugar-free. However, the sugar substitutes it contains may not necessarily be a healthier option for people looking to reduce their blood sugar levels.

Limit their intake of free sugars^a to less than 10% of total daily calorie (energy) intake. This is approximately 50 grams (12 teaspoons) of free sugars consumption per day based on a 2000-calorie diet.

Maple syrup is slightly lower in the glycemic index than honey. So, people with diabetes can eat it in moderation.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics?

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a healthy diabetes diet plan. Always look for peanut butter that contains only peanuts and maybe some salt. Avoid peanut butter that includes added sugars and hydrogenated oils.

Traditionally, honey is used in the treatment of eye diseases, bronchial asthma, throat infections, tuberculosis, thirst, hiccups, fatigue, dizziness, hepatitis, constipation, worm infestation, piles, eczema, healing of ulcers, and wounds and used as a nutritious supplement.

Interactions With Other Drugs:

Honey may interact with anticoagulant/antiplatelet medicines and might slow blood clotting. If honey is consumed with these medications, it might increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. Honey might interact with phenytoin and may increase the phenytoin absorbed by the body.

Try to go 10 to 12 hours each night without eating, Sheth advises. For instance, if you eat breakfast at 8:30 a.m. every morning, that means capping your nighttime meals and snacks between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. each night.