" I have type 2 diabetes.  I've been told to watch my blood sugar, so I only eat sugar-free desserts when I want something sweet. It's better than the regular versions, right?"

     Yes...and no.  A key component in dietary management of diabetes is to focus on the total number of carbohydrates in the foods that you eat.  Sugar is just one type of carbohydrate.  Unlike complex carbohydrates and fiber, sugar is readily broken down by the body to be used as energy or stored as fat.  When we have diabetes, our body isn't as efficient in bringing our blood sugar levels back to normal after a high carbohydrate meal.  Foods and beverages that are high in sugar are naturally high in carbohydrates.  Some foods that are low in sugar, such as rice, are high total carbohydrates.  However, all carbohydrates, regardless if they have sugar or not, will still raise your blood sugar/ blood glucose levels.  

     Portion size is another thing to keep in mind.  A food may be "sugar-free" or have a "low carb" version, but if we have 2-3 times the recommended serving, it can easily add up to a high carbohydrate food.  When sugar is removed from desserts, it is replaced with an artificial sweetener and other chemicals to mimic the taste of the original product. These chemicals don't satisfy our taste buds, which usually causes us to eat more! Thus we're actually taking in more carbohydrates with these sugar-free products. 

     Some people like to deduct fiber or sugar alcohols from the total number of carbohydrates.  Non-starchy vegetables are the original "low-carb" foods, so it you're getting most of your carbohydrates from these foods, there's little need to focus on this "net carb" number.  If you're eating foods that have sugar alcohols in them, such as sugar-free chocolate, the total carbohydrate amount is still greater than the sugar alcohol content.  Keep in mind that regular consumption of sugar alcohols can cause indigestion and laxative effects in some individuals.  

  Remember:  just because something is "sugar free" doesn't mean that it is "carbohydrate-free" or "calorie-free".   All desserts should be considered "sometimes foods", meaning you don't want to eat them every single day.  Limit your consumption of "sugar-free" desserts just like you would their higher sugar counterparts.