Which Chocolates Are Best for Diabetics?

If you love chocolate but need to keep your blood sugar in check, the good news is that you don't have to give it up entirely. The key is choosing the right kind - ones that have no added sugar, are low in nett carbs and are made with quality ingredients that won't cause a blood sugar spike.

Here is everything you need to know about choosing the best chocolate for diabetics in South Africa.

✔ No added sugar - avoid chocolates that contain sucrose, glucose, fructose or any high-GI sweetener

✔ Low nett carbs - the fewer nett carbs per serving, the lower the blood sugar impact

✔ Powdered maltitol, not maltitol syrup - powdered maltitol has a GI of around 35, while maltitol syrup has a GI of around 52 - almost as high as regular sugar

✔ No artificial sweeteners - aspartame, saccharin and acesulfame-K are best avoided

✔ Short, recognisable ingredients list - the fewer additives the better

Maltitol is the most suitable sugar alcohol for chocolate because it closely mimics the taste, texture and mouthfeel of regular sugar without the blood sugar spike. Other sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol cause a cooling sensation on the palate and crystallise over time. Stevia has a distinctive aftertaste that most people find unpleasant in chocolate.

Powdered maltitol has a GI of approximately 35 - significantly lower than regular sugar (GI 65) or maltitol syrup (GI 52). Read more: Why We Use Powdered Maltitol and Not Maltitol Syrup in Our Chocolates.

At Caring Candies we have been making no added sugar chocolate for diabetics since 2003. All our chocolates are made with powdered maltitol - never maltitol syrup - and diabetics have been enjoying them safely for over 20 years.

✔ Premium 50g chocolate bars - available in milk and white chocolate varieties

✔ Little LuvBites white chocolate hearts - available in a range of flavours

✔ EVRY1 30g chocolate bars - budget-friendly, only 1-3g nett carbs each

✔ Bulk melting and compound chocolate - for baking and moulding at home

All Kosher and Halaal certified, made in Cape Town and delivered nationwide.

Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or more) is lower in sugar than milk chocolate and has a lower GI. However, most commercially available dark chocolate still contains significant amounts of sugar. If you are diabetic, no added sugar chocolate made with powdered maltitol is a safer and more consistent choice than relying on high-cocoa dark chocolate.

Even with no added sugar chocolate, moderation is important. We recommend limiting consumption to around 25-30g per sitting. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar before and after eating maltitol-sweetened products to understand your personal response.

Please note: Always consult your doctor or dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have a medical condition or are on medication.

Shop: caringcandies.com/collections/chocolates