Many of us – even those who have diabetes or live with someone who has diabetes, are under the impression that as long as you leave sugar out of your diet, your blood glucose levels will be fine and your diabetes will stay under control.

This is partially true. If you have diabetes sugar isn’t a good thing to pour into your body on a regular basis – especially. On the other hand, if you are eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and doing other things to keep your body as healthy as possible, a bit of sugar here and there will not push you into an extreme situation.

For instance, if you eat a lot of whole foods, lean meats, good fruits and vegetables and keep your diet balanced; if you take your insulin or other medicine and you do other things to stay healthy a little sugar here and there won’t hurt. You could have a small serving of ice cream or slice of pie or cake (pie is better due to less carbs).

One of the big leaps forward when it comes to food for individuals with diabetes is the variety and quality of sugar free sodas, juices and desserts. There used to be vanilla or chocolate pints of ice cream that tasted like frozen chalk with saccharin in it. Then there were hard candies made wit saccharin and wrapped in individual wrappers.

These days, Hershey’s, Dove, Russell Stover, Sees and other candy makers are creating tasty sugar free candy for individuals with diabetes. Add to that, sugar-free pie, sugar free and low-carb ice cream, cereal and a tremendous variety of other products that help people with diabetes have fun, sweet choices for sweets, treats and desserts that will not make the situation worse.

So if you happen to have diabetes and have some cravings for a little sweet dessert or snack here or there remember that it’s not the sugar every once in a while, it’s the entire diet and lifestyle. And a nice choice of snacks and desserts not just for people who have diabetes but for people who would like to stay healthy in general.