Invert Sugar Within A Diabetes-Friendly Diet

Invert sugar is a liquid sugar that contains glucose and fructose. It is used by manufacturers as an added sweetener because it gives a smooth mouth feel to candies and frostings. It also retains moisture content, improves browning and extends shelf life. Glucose and fructose are sugars that are absorbed into the blood stream and raise your blood sugar, or blood glucose, level. If you have diabetes, you can include invert sugar in your diet, but it needs to be counted as part of your recommended carbohydrate intake.

About Invert Sugar

Invert sugar is created when a sugar syrup is combined with a small amount of acid – such as cream of tartar or lemon juice – and heated. In manufacturing, the enzyme invertase may be combined with the simple sugar instead of an acid. This process breaks down the disaccharide sucrose into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose. If you have made jam or jelly with granulated sugar, invert sugar was produced when it combined with acid in the fruit and was heated.

Nutrition Facts

Foods Containing Glucose or Fructose

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One tablespoon of invert sugar contains 58 calories and 14.6 grams of carbohydrate in the form of sugar. It does not contain any fat, protein, fiber or cholesterol. It is not a significant source of any vitamins or minerals. On ingredient lists it will usually be identified as invert sugar 1. Other names include inversol, nulomoline, trimoline and colorose. The USDA’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, DGAC, recommends limiting foods that contain invert sugar, along with other forms of added sugar, because they contribute excess calories but are low in essential nutrients.

Food Sources

Invert sugar is present naturally in honey and pure maple syrup 1. It is also used as a sweetener in candies, frosting, beverages, biscuits and baked desserts. The DGAC recommends including these foods only infrequently and in very small portions. Fit them into your daily calorie and carbohydrate intake only after your requirements for essential nutrients have been met. Liquid invert sugar can be ordered online or purchased at cake-decorating supply shops. Like other forms of sugar, invert sugar will raise your blood glucose level 1. Count it into your carbohydrate allotment.

Meal Planning

Sources of Sucrose Sugar

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If you use liquid invert sugar, count each tablespoon as one carbohydrate choice in your meal plan. For counting carbohydrates, each tablespoon contains 15 grams of carbohydrates. For processed foods that contain added invert sugar, read the nutrition facts panel. Check the recommended serving size and count the total carbohydrates per serving in your carbohydrate allotment for the meal. Every 15 grams of total carbohydrate counts as one serving of a carbohydrate food.