If you’re diabetic, you must compromise your indulgence in sweet delights. The intake of sugary delights or foods rich in carbohydrates can increase blood sugar levels. An increase in blood sugar can have several health implications.
If you are unaware of what diabetes is, let us brief you first. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects how the body processes glucose, a type of sugar that serves as a primary source of energy. This lifestyle disease hampers the inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or the body's resistance to insulin's action (Type 2 diabetes). When the balance of insulin is disrupted, blood sugar levels can become abnormally high, leading to various health complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and eye problems.
To bring the blood sugar level under control, apart from medications, it is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. The platter may be full of nutrient-dense, high-fibre foods that have a minimal impact on blood sugar, such as whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Besides, consumption of sugary foods and beverages, as well as highly processed and refined carbohydrates, should be limited to prevent rapid fluctuations in blood sugar.
However, what do you do if you’re craving sweets as a diabetic? No need to worry, as we have planned a list of desserts and sweets that are prepared without sugar and are diabetic-friendly. Take a look at some of them:
- Chocolate Mousse
This dessert is one of the most common and can be made in a few minutes. First, start by whisking chilled low-fat fresh cream, vanilla essence, whipped cream, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix all the ingredients well, along with a small amount of stevia. Set the mousse in a shot glass, top it with berries, and enjoy.
- Banana Peanut Butter Sorbet
To make this delicious sorbet, take a blender and make a smooth paste of banana, low-fat fresh cream or yoghurt, peanut butter, honey or stevia, and vanilla essence. Make a smooth paste, freeze to perfection, and gulp it in.
- Oat Chocolate Sundae
This delightful, sweet treat can be made by blending in overnight soaked oats, almond milk, dates, unsweetened cocoa powder, and dark chocolate shavings. Make a thick, smooth paste, transfer it to moulds, and top it with nuts and dry fruits.
- Baked Apples
Apples are highly recommended to diabetics as pectic, a type of soluble fibre that slows down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. To make this dessert, make a layer of granola and top it with a layer of apples tossed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a small amount of peanut butter. Bake this delight and dig in.
- Berry Parfait
This is a simple breakfast sweet treat that can be prepared by layering fresh mixed berries, sugar-free yoghurt, and a sprinkle of crushed nuts.
- Cranberry Energy Balls
This is a high-energy ball made from dry-roasted rolled oats and mixed with melted peanut butter, dried and chopped cranberries, roasted and crushed almonds, peanuts, and walnuts.
- Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seeds are loaded with soluble fibre, which can help slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and stabilise blood sugar levels after meals. Chia seed pudding can be made with unsweetened almond milk, vanilla essence, and a sugar substitute like honey or stevia. Let it sit in the refrigerator until it thickens, and then top it with fresh berries.