The invention relates to a combination of heat-treated nutritional composition having a carbohydrate fraction comprising a) 5-30 wt % of one or more monosaccharides selected from galactose, ribose and mannose; b) carbohydrates capable of providing b1) sustained release glucose and b2) rapidly available glucose; c) optionally fructose; d) glucose-containing disaccharides other than maltose and sucrose; and e) optionally sugar polyols. The invention also pertains to the use of such a heat-treated nutritional composition for controlling glucose levels in blood and/or tissue, especially for preventing and/or treating diabetics, insulin-resistance, obesity, postprandial glucose response, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, dysfibrinolysis and/or disorders associated with major surgery or trauma.