I was a diet ice tea drinker until I read your article 14 things to avoid on a diabetic diet. In it you stated that tea is ok, its the artificial sweeteners you need to watch. Why? Ive cut way back on my habit and have been developing headaches and dizziness. My doctor says it could be caffeine withdraw. I’ve also cut way back to bread and lunch meats. The doctor says to drink Gatorade for the enzymes and salt. Is this good for a diabetic?
Q: I was a diet ice tea drinker until I read your article 14 things to avoid on a diabetic diet. In it you stated that tea is ok, its the artificial sweeteners you need to watch. Why? Ive cut way back on my habit and have been developing headaches and dizziness. My doctor says it could be caffeine withdraw. I've also cut way back to bread and lunch meats. The doctor says to drink Gatorade for the enzymes and salt. Is this good for a diabetic?
I'm afraid you may have misinterpreted something in the article on 14 foods to avoid on a low-carbohydrate diet. Sugar-free iced tea is fine to drink in moderation because it will not raise blood sugar. However, some people get headaches or develop digestive trouble when they consume certain sugar substitutes. This includes both natural sweeteners like stevia and artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Although stevia, erythritol, and other natural sweeteners are generally considered healthier than artificial sweeteners, any sweeteners can be used in moderation if they don't cause side effects.
As far as your doctor's recommendation to drink Gatorade, this isn't a good way to get electrolytes because it also contains sugar. Although there are sugar-free electrolyte replacement beverages like Powerade Zero, it's better to add small amounts of salt to your food to ensure adequate sodium intake and to consume low-carb foods that are high in potassium and magnesium like avocado, fish, nuts, and Greek yogurt.
Answered By dLife Expert: Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian living in Southern California.
Disclaimer
The content of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material on the site (collectively, “Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for, and dLife does not provide, professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. dLife does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Reliance on any information provided by dLife, its employees and other contributors or visitors to this site is done solely at your own risk. Any information you submit to dLife or this site may be published on this site and in other dLife products. dLife retains all rights to all contributions including submitted questions and expert answers.