A few years ago, I was invited to give a talk at a local chapter of a diabetes organization. They had a sugar-free cake that they ate during the social part of the meeting. I let it pass. I did not want to embarrass anyone but a sugar-free cake is no better than eating pure glucose. The cake in the picture was made for a WomanInRed event.
The main ingredient in sugar-free cake is processed flour. Flour is processed starch which is a molecule made up of glucose molecules joined end-to-end. Those glucose molecules are released to the blood stream almost immediately after you eat sugar-free cake or white bread. Eating a piece of white bread raises your blood glucose as rapidly as eating the same amount of sugar. To your body, there is no difference between eating glucose, white bread, sugar-free cake etc. The more you eat of those foods, the more insulin you need.
Eating glucose or white bread raises your blood sugar and increases the need for insulin. Most of us are diabetic because we love carbs and sugar. One of the best things you can do to make your diabetes easier to control is to drastically reduce sugar and carb intake.
I don't have diabetes, but after being a "sugar lover" for as long as I can remember, I cut my sugar consumption by two-thirds last year - no more cookies, cake, or candy and very little bread and pasta. It was a good decision - I feel better, I've lost 10 lbs, and my stomach feels much better.
I have given up sugar and doing low carbs as well. I have lost right at 20 pounds now. I will treat myself maybe once a month but jump right back on the bandwagon. I feel so much better! We are back in Maui now and the difference between now and 4 months ago when I started on my new lifestyle is amazing! We walk a trail here near the house that is 4 miles round trip. Four months ago I couldn't do it without stopping and taking a rest. Now its easy! Thanks for all your posts!