A healthy controlled-carbohydrate diet is important for managing your diabetes and blood sugar levels. Foods containing carbohydrates constitute your main concern with diabetes because of how these foods influence your blood sugar levels. Most desserts contain large amounts of carbohydrates, especially in the form of sugar, but people with diabetes do not have to say goodbye to desserts forever. Choosing desserts with a lower carbohydrate content or planning ahead by reducing your carbohydrate intake at your main meal are good strategies to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Using Splenda, a sugar substitute, is also a good way to prepare desserts that have a sweet taste, but fewer carbohydrates.
Apple Crumble
Apple crumbles are a good way to get more fruit into your diet. You first need to wash a few apples, then core and dice them. Put them at the bottom of a Pyrex dish. Most recipes require you to add sugar to the fruit, but fruits contain their own sugar so there is no need to do so. You can use a little bit of Splenda if you like. For the crumble, mix large oat flakes with butter and Splenda until you get a crumbly mixture. Add ground flax seeds for extra fiber. Spread on top of the diced apple and bake in the oven for about 30 to 40 minutes. Each serving, containing the equivalent of an apple, 1/4 cup of oat flakes, 2 tsp. butter and 1/2 tbsp. of flax seeds provide 250 calories, 36.1 g of carbohydrates and 6.8 g of fiber.
Dark Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
If you want to serve an elegant dessert for a special occasion or any day of the week, try chocolate-dipped strawberries. Choose a good quality dark chocolate, with at least 70 percent cocoa but preferably 85 percent cocoa. Melt it in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. If you find the dark chocolate too bitter, add a little Splenda until you get the right level of sweetness for you. Dip your previously washed strawberries one by one and place them on parchment paper to allow the chocolate to set on the strawberries. A serving of 10 strawberries dipped in the equivalent of four squares of dark chocolate provides 258 calories, 23.2 g of carbohydrates and 8.4 g of fiber.
Fruit Smoothie
A smoothie is a healthy way to treat yourself to some extra servings of fruits and calcium. Good combinations of fruits for a smoothie include 1/2 cup of raspberries and half a banana, a small pear and 1/2 cup strawberries, or 1/2 grapefruit and 1/2 cup blueberries. Be creative and try different combinations. Mix in a blender the fruits of your choice plus about 1/2 cup plain yogurt and 1/2 cup milk. You can change the ratio of yogurt and milk to get your preferred consistency. The fruits will sweeten your smoothie, but if you need a bit more sweetness, use Splenda. A serving of fruit smoothie contains 209 calories, 33.1 g of carbohydrates and 5.5 g of fiber.
Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa
A hot cocoa is a good way to end a meal, but most hot cocoa mixes come loaded with sugar. Prepare your own sugar-free hot cocoa for a more natural and healthier treat. You can prepare your hot cocoa by mixing 1 cup of low-fat milk with 1 tbsp. of cocoa and sweetening to your taste with Splenda. Add cinnamon, nutmeg or ground ginger if desired. Heat about a minute or two in the microwave and your sugar-free hot cocoa is ready. With only 117 calories, 15.4 g of carbohydrates and 1.8 g of sugar, you can enjoy this dessert beverage without worrying about your blood sugar levels.
