A new research study has found that giving people with type 2 diabetes the freedom to include sugar in their daily meal plan had no negative impact on either dietary habits or metabolic control.

In an 8-month study, 48 patients were given either a conventional meal plan with no concentrated sweets or one permitting as much as 10% of their total energy as added sugars or sweets. Those in the sugar group actually ate less carbohydrate and less starch than those in the conventional group. They did not consume more calories (from fat or sugar) and, in fact, tended to take in fewer calories overall. Weight remained stable, and there was no sign that eating more sugar had a negative effect on glucose control or on the individuals' perceived quality of life.