Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
Why are products like Crystal Light drinks and AquaCal drinks not safe for people with diabetes? They contain no sugar, yet they are on the list of banned drinks for people with diabetes.Answer
The makers of Crystal Light list the nutrition facts for this beverage on their website. They indicate Crystal Light contains 0 grams of carbohydrate per serving and is a "free" exchange food. In addition, the AquaCal website lists the nutrition facts for their beverage. They also indicate AquaCal contains 0 grams of carbohydrate per serving. Both beverages indicate they do contain non-nutritive or artificial sweeteners. You should talk with your doctor about whether you should avoid those sweeteners.I am not aware of any list that "bans" these beverages. Crystal Light is considered appropriate and safe for people with diabetes. They also exhibit at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association - I don't think they'd be allowed in unless ADA felt they offered an appropriate service/product for people with diabetes. I am not familiar with AquaCal, but if it does not contain sugar and is sweetened with an artificial sweetener, it is probably okay to use. I would only be wary of products that contain sugar alcohols, due to their caloric content and potential for GI side effects.
