Once people find out that they have been diagnosed with diabetes, they first assume this means going on a strict diet that includes no sugar whatsoever. This, however, is not true. In fact everyone, including diabetics, need sugar because it's the sugar the feeds the cells which provides us the energy. The simple difference between diabetics and non-diabetics is how their bodies process the sugar. When you understand how your body processes the sugar you eat, you will be able to choose a diabetic diet that is a perfect fit for your taste.

Generally, when a person eats food, the pancreas immediately starts producing enough insulin to handle the amount of sugar that is consumed. The insulin is vital and is needed because it provides an entry way for the sugar to enter the body's cells. Once the sugar is in the cells, it then produces enough energy for the body to function.

In diabetics though, the sugar or glucose does not get into the cells or muscles as it should. This is why diabetics often find themselves very tired. A diabetic person's body will handle the sugar differently depending on which type of diabetes they have, type 1 and type 2. We'll examine both types and see just how their bodies process the glucose.

Type 1 diabetics have it really hard. Their pancreas basically has stopped functioning or hardly functions at all and thus, it can no longer produce the insulin the body needs. Without insulin, the sugar has no way to get into the cells and continues filtering throughout the rest of the body, causing great harm to the other organs. This is why type 1 diabetics have to take insulin shots. The insulin shots do the job that the pancreas used to do and thus keep your body in good condition.

In a type 2 diabetic the pancreas produces enough insulin that the body needs, however, the insulin can not open the bodies calls so the sugar can get in. The sugar then start building up and the pancreas kicks in and starts producing more and more insulin and eventually burns out. Once it burns out, the person then advances to a type 1 diabetic and will be dependent on insulin shots to process the sugar.

What is a known fact is that all diabetics need to watch the amount of sugar in the foods they eat. The only difference is how their bodies handle the sugar. Type 1 diabetics can no longer process the sugar and need insulin shots to replace the function of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetics still have the chance at improving their health by watching the amount of sugar they consume on a daily basis.

So, it is vital that type 2 diabetics start managing their sugar intake so they can maintain a healthy body and lifestyle. One of the best ways to get your sugar intake down is to go on a diet, and this is where the term 'diabetic diet' came from. But do not let the term 'diet' scare you, you will not have to stop eating the food you love and you will not have to eat bland cardboard tasting foods. You can simply watch the amount of food you consume and try and substitute your foods with brands that have less sugar. One great example is jelly. Regular jelly has around 16 grams carbohydrates, which turns into sugar, and a reduced sugar jelly has around 6 grams carbohydrates. Just by switching to a jelly that contains less sugar, you will then be consuming less sugar and will be making your pancreas work less as well.

Yes, you need sugar in your daily eating lifestyle because that sugar provides the energy that your cells need in order to function. However, in a diabetic diet, you need to watch how much sugar you consume. One easy way to do this is read labels and choose a reduced sugar item that will still provide that same great taste but with less carbs. So, you can still enjoy eating your toast and jam in the morning with the same great taste only with fewer carbohydrates, which turns into sugar, and make less work for your pancreas.