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    Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?

    By Mayo Clinic Staff
    July 03, 2025

    I have diabetes, and I'm wondering if I can substitute honey for sugar in my diet?

    Generally, there's no advantage to substituting honey for sugar in a diabetes eating plan. Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level.

    Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar, so you might use a smaller amount of honey for sugar in some recipes. But honey actually has slightly more carbohydrates and more calories a teaspoon than does granulated sugar. So any calories and carbohydrates you save will be minimal.

    If you prefer the taste of honey, go ahead and use it. But only use honey in moderation. Be sure to count the carbohydrates in honey as part of your diabetes eating plan.

    1. Get to know carbs. American Diabetes Association. https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/understanding-carbs/get-to-know-carbs. Accessed May 13, 2021.
    2. Facilitating behavior change and well-being to improve health outcomes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes — 2021. Diabetes Care. 2021; doi:10.2337/dc21-S005.
    3. Nutrient data for 19335, sugars, granulated. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/746784/nutrients. Accessed May 14, 2021.
    4. Nutrient data for 19296, honey. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169640/nutrients. Accessed May 14, 2021.

    FAQ-20058487

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