Appointments at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment

Diabetes foods Can I substitute honey for sugar

Products and services

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

Answer From M. Regina Castro, M.D.

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.

With M. Regina Castro, M.D.   There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information.

If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Subscribe!

Thank you for subscribing

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

Diabetes and fasting: Can I fast during Ramadan?Vegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?

ShareTweet Sept. 15, 2021 Show references 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.

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. 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. 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. See more Expert Answers

Products and Services

Book: The Mayo Clinic Diabetes DietBook: The Essential Diabetes Book

See also

Medication-free hypertension controlA1C testAfter a flood, are food and medicines safe to use?Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?Alpha blockersAmputation and diabetesAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsAngiotensin II receptor blockersAnxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar?Bariatric surgeryBeta blockersBeta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?Blood glucose metersBlood glucose monitorsBlood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?Blood pressure chartBlood pressure cuff: Does size matter?Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern?Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather?Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?Blood pressure tip: Get more potassiumBlood pressure tip: Get off the couchBlood pressure tip: Know alcohol limitsBlood pressure tip: Stress out no moreBlood pressure tip: Watch the caffeineBlood pressure tip: Watch your weightBlood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasonsBlood sugar testing: Why, when and howBone and joint problems associated with diabetesPancreas transplant animationCaffeine and hypertensionCalcium channel blockersCalcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?Central-acting agentsChoosing blood pressure medicationsCOVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?DiabetesDiabetes and dental careDiabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditionsDiabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugarDiabetes and fasting: Can I fast during Ramadan?Diabetes and foot careDiabetes and Heat10 ways to avoid diabetes complicationsDiabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating planDiabetes and liverDiabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugarDiabetes: Eating outDiabetes nutrition: SweetsDiabetes symptomsDiabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?Using insulinDiabetic GastroparesisDiureticsDiuretics: A cause of low potassium?Do you know your blood pressure?Erectile dysfunction and diabetesHigh blood pressure and exerciseExercise and chronic diseaseFatigueFree blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?Frequent urinationHome blood pressure monitoringGlucose tolerance testGlycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?HemochromatosisHigh blood pressure (hypertension)High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?High blood pressure and sexHigh blood pressure: Can you prevent it?High blood pressure dangersWhat is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.Hypertension FAQsHypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?Insulin and weight gainIsolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?Kidney disease FAQsL-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressureMenopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?Infographic: Pancreas Kidney TransplantPancreas transplantPulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do?Reading food labelsResperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure?Blood sugar testingStress and high blood pressureThe dawn phenomenon: What can you do?Unexplained weight lossVasodilatorsVegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?How diabetes affects your blood sugarHow to measure blood pressure using a manual monitorHow to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitorWhat is blood pressure?Can having vitamin D deficiency cause high blood pressure?Weight Loss Surgery OptionsWhat's your high blood pressure risk?White coat hypertensionWrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?Show more related content

Advertisement

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book

Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info

Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058487 Home Diabetes foods Can I substitute honey for sugar

Mayo Clinic Footer

Legal Conditions and Terms

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies

Advertising

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.Advertising and sponsorship policyAdvertising and sponsorship opportunities

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.