Are chocolate deserts with maple syrup / dates much healthier than sugar and suitable for diabetics?

[feellikeahugefailure]

Stuff like this uses maple and dates, is this much healthier than sugar?

Is apparently a bit better as they contain some vitamins and all of these use less sugar than traditional recipes. But are they okish as a treat for diabetics?

[BIWI]

I doubt it very much - it's all still sugar, I'm afraid.

[MaggieMcVitie]

My son is Type 1 diabetic. We find that natural sugars such as maple syrup/honey/dates have less of an impact on his blood sugar levels than refined sugar. His BS levels seem to rise less sharply. As a general rule we try to avoid refined sugar and processed food as much as possible...although within reason! He still has the occasional treat.

[MaggieMcVitie]

Sorry, posted too soon...he stil has the occasional treat but as a rule, I'll cook my own cakes and biscuits using maple syrup or honey or dates in flapjack to sweeten. May be different for Type 2 diabetics though.

[TheDropBear]

My dad has type 2 and avoids stuff like this. He also has to manage his carbs as they raise blood sugar.