Cane sugar or beet sugar is better (what my grandparents used). Any vegetable oil will break down into transfat when heat is applied. Avocado, Virgin Olive and Grapeseed oils are better for cooking, They have high heat indexes. Personally, I like to cook with bacon fat. Processed foods of any kind, IMHO, are bad for you. Pick up a power bar that says it is diabetic "friendly". One of the first ingredients is maltodextrose, which is a sugar and will increase your BGL. Low carb sweetners like Stevia are often packaged with maltodextrose, so, while they may be low carb, they are NOT diabetic friendly. That means they aren't very good for you. Raw stevia extract doesn't phase my blood sugar at all.