Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by the inability of the body to produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that regulates the level of sugar in the blood. High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the circulatory system and other parts of the body, so it is important to regulate the amount of carbohydrates and fat in a diabetic diet to minimize this damage. You can still eat some diabetic-friendly puddings.
Sugar-Free Puddings
The three types of carbohydrates are sugars, fiber and starches. A pudding that is labeled sugar-free may still have carbohydrates in it. If you use the carb-counting system, check the pudding label to add its carbohydrates to your tally. For example, tapioca pudding may be labeled sugar-free, but it will still have some carbohydrates because tapioca is a starch. These starches must be counted as carbohydrates. Subtract half of the fiber grams from the carbohydrate grams if the pudding contains 5 g or more of fiber.
Low or No Added Sugar Puddings
Low, sugar-free or no added sugar puddings are sweetened with artificial sweeteners, which generally have little or no impact on blood sugar levels. You can also sweeten pudding with fruit puree or decrease the recipe's amount of sugar by one-half instead of using artificial sweeteners. Adding vanilla, nutmeg or cinnamon can intensify the flavor of the pudding without raising the carbohydrate content.
Low-Fat or Nonfat Puddings
Low-fat and nonfat puddings tend to replace high-fat milk products, such as whole milk and cream, with their low-fat or skim fresh or evaporated counterparts. These low-fat substitutes still act as a thickening agent to solidify the pudding without changing the taste. Low-fat or nonfat puddings are heart-healthy and fit well into a diabetic diet.
Soy-Based
Soy products, such as tofu and soy milk, can also replace milk in a heart-healthy diabetic pudding recipe. Soy products will thicken and add fiber to the pudding. Soy-based puddings work well if you also have lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance occurs when there is a lack of lactase in the body, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, a form of sugar. You can also add peanut butter and cocoa powder to the pudding to enhance flavor.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Carbohydrates
- MayoClinic.com; Artificial Sweeteners: Understanding These and Other Sugar Substitutes; October 2010
- "Diabetic Gourmet Magazine": Orange Tapioca Pudding
- MayoClinic.com; Healthy Recipes: A Guide to Ingredient Substitutions; November 2010
- Foodily: Tofu Pudding Recipes
- MedlinePlus: Lactose Intolerance
