Diabetics in long-term care. Effect of sweetness on dietary intake.

This study reported on the dietary intake of the institutionalized diabetics consuming low-kilocalorie sweeteners or fructose. The dietary intake was comparable to that for nondiabetics and consistent with the data from NHANES II. Nutrient intakes for diabetics met 100% of the RDA when either sweetener was used. Because of the increase in carbohydrates from fructose, the percentage of calories from fat approximated more closely the 30% recommended for diabetic adults. When fructose diets were used, there was a decrease in sucrose intake, which may help keep serum glucose and insulin responses within a normal range. The additional energy from fructose probably had little negative effect on the institutionalized diabetic population (which was not obese) and may have provided energy for weight maintenance. The use of calorie-dense sweeteners with the general population of diabetics who tend to be overweight requires further study.