If you have diabetes, you probably know you should avoid sweets, sugar, and processed foods. But what if the most dangerous food for diabetics is something that doesn't even taste sweet?
Surprisingly, one of the most harmful ingredients for blood sugar is found in many so-called “diabetic-friendly” or “sugar-free” products. That ingredient is maltodextrin—and it's worse than sugar for diabetics.
Let’s understand why.
Maltodextrin is a white, powdery substance made from corn, rice, or potato starch. It’s used in many packaged foods to improve texture, thickness, or shelf life. While it might look harmless, it has a hidden danger.
Maltodextrin has a glycemic index (GI) of 110.
That’s even higher than glucose, which has a GI of 100. Table sugar (sucrose) has a GI of just 65 in comparison.
So, what does this mean?
It means maltodextrin can spike your blood sugar faster and higher than regular sugar—making it extremely risky for people with diabetes.
You might be wondering, is maltodextrin bad for diabetics?
The answer is a strong yes—and here’s why:
It causes a rapid spike in blood sugar
It increases insulin levels quickly
It contributes to insulin resistance, a root cause of type 2 diabetes
It hides in foods that are labeled “sugar-free” or “healthy”
If you’re eating something that claims to be sugar-free but it contains maltodextrin, you’re unknowingly harming your blood sugar control. It’s a perfect example of something that’s sugar-free but harmful for diabetics.
You’ll find maltodextrin in more places than you might expect:
Protein powders (even those labeled diabetic-friendly)
Baby food products
Diet shakes and energy bars
Sugar-free sweeteners
Processed snacks
It doesn’t always show up as “sugar” on the label, but it works just like one. That’s why it’s considered one of the foods diabetics should avoid.
Besides maltodextrin, there are several high glycemic foods to avoid if you’re managing diabetes:
White bread and white rice
Sugary breakfast cereals
Corn syrup
Dextrose
Instant noodles
Sweetened drinks
All of these foods raise blood sugar quickly and can make diabetes harder to manage.
To stay safe, try following a diabetic diet chart to avoid foods that cause blood sugar spikes.
Here’s the good news—there are plenty of safe and healthy alternatives available. You don’t need to depend on protein powders filled with hidden sugars.
Brands like Diabexy offer a wide range of diabetic-friendly products made with low glycemic ingredients, including:
Diabetic atta (flour)
Biscuits with natural sweetness
Breakfast options high in protein and fiber
Sugar-free sweeteners that don’t spike blood sugar
If you include these in your daily diet, you can meet your nutritional needs without harming your sugar levels.
For example, 100 grams of Diabexy Nutralite Flour gives you up to 40 grams of protein with a very low glycemic load. That’s the kind of smart swap that supports your health goals.
Maltodextrin might be marketed as safe—but for someone with diabetes, it’s one of the most dangerous hidden ingredients in everyday food. It raises blood sugar more than sugar itself and increases insulin resistance over time.
So next time you pick up a “sugar-free” product, take a few extra seconds to check the label. If you see maltodextrin, think twice.
Choosing foods with a low glycemic load is one of the best things you can do to manage diabetes naturally. And with better awareness, you can protect your health in the long run.
Visit www.diabexy.com or order Diabexy products online on Amazon and Flipkart to take the first step toward a pain-free, healthier life