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?

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

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.

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.

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