Eating healthy meals is essential when you have diabetes. Maintaining normal blood glucose levels decreases your risk of many health complications. But giving up on sugar may not be necessary, says the American Diabetes Association. Depriving yourself of foods such as cakes and cookies isn't required, as long as you eat small servings and save the treats for special occasions. The trick is to substitute sweets for other carb-containing foods to maintain normal glucose levels.
Cookie Recipe #1 - Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
This recipe from the University of Illinois Extension makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies each with 55 calories and 1/2 a starch exchange. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of reduced-fat margarine, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of sucralose, 1 egg and 1 tsp. of vanilla extract. Add 1 1/4 cup of rolled oats, 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp. each of cinnamon, ginger and baking powder. Mix in 1/3 cup of raisins. Spray baking sheet and drop heaping teaspoons of dough about 1 or 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes.
Cookie Recipe #2 - Whole Wheat Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
These whole-wheat cinnamon sugar cookies from the South Dakota Department of Health each contain 72 calories, 1 starch and 1/2 fat exchange. Blend together in a large bowl 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp. each of salt, soda and nutmeg, 1 tsp. of baking powder, 1/2 cup of margarine, 3 tbsp of milk, 1 tbsp of lemon peel and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Add 2 cups of whole-wheat flour and chill for one hour. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness on floured surface and cut into shapes. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp of sugar combined with 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Cake Recipe #1 - Applesauce Oatmeal Coffee Cake
This cake comes from the American Diabetes Association and has 24 servings at 164 calories each. Beat together 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of canola oil, 2 cups of unsweetened applesauce and 1 cup of skim milk. Add 3 cups of old-fashioned oats, 1 1/2 cup of unbleached flour, 1 cup of whole-wheat flour, 1 cup of brown sugar or sugar substitute, 1 tbsp of baking powder, 1 tsp. of allspice and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon. Pour into a sprayed 9 inch by 13 inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes or until done.
Cake Recipe #2 - Havana Banana Cake
This recipe, from the American Diabetes Association's The Big Book of Diabetic Desserts, contains 2 1/2 carb exchanges and 1 fat exchange. Pour 2 tbsp of butter-flavored vegetable oil in an 8 inch round sprayed pan. Sprinkle in 2 tbsp of brown sugar and layer thin slices of a banana. Whisk together 1 large egg, 1 tsp. of rum extract, 2 tbsp of canola oil, 1/2 cup of low-fat buttermilk and 1/2 cup of ripe mashed banana. Add 1 cup of all purpose flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp. of baking soda, 1 tsp of baking powder and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon. Pour mixture into pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 or 35 minutes or until done.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Sugar and Desserts
- University of Illinois Extension: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- South Dakota Department of Health: Whole Wheat Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
- American Diabetes Association: Applesauce Oatmeal Coffee Cake
- American Diabetes Association: The Big Book of Diabetic Desserts; Havana Banana Cake
