When you are diagnosed with diabetes, you may think that it's the end of all your favorite sweet treats, including German chocolate cake. In the past, people with diabetes were told to avoid all foods with sugar, but that is no longer the case. With a little planning and portion control, you can still enjoy a slice of your German chocolate cake without wreaking havoc on your diet or blood sugars.
German Chocolate Cake
Despite its name, German chocolate cake did not originate in Germany, but in the United States, and is named after its inventor Sam German. The classic German chocolate cake differs from a traditional chocolate cake because of the addition of sweet baking chocolate, pecans and coconut. It is a three-layer chocolate cake, with each layer separated by a sweet coconut and pecan icing.
Carbohydrates and Sugar
Carbohydrates in food raise blood sugars. Carbohydrates are found in a number of types of foods, including whole grains, beans, milk, yogurt, starchy vegetables, sugar and sweet desserts. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat a consistent amount of carbohydrates at each meal to aid in blood sugar control. To maximize your nutrition, most of your carbohydrates should come from foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and milk products. But it is acceptable to include sugar and sweet desserts as your carbohydrate choice. While certain types of carbohydrates, such as sugar, raise blood glucose levels faster than other carbohydrates, the total amount of carbohydrates you eat is more important than the type.
German Chocolate Cake Nutrition Information
German chocolate cake is high in both calories and carbohydrates. Making it a two-layer cake instead of three-layer cake can help reduce both your calorie and carbohydrate intake, without sacrificing your enjoyment. One slice of an 8- or 9-inch German chocolate cake, 1/12 of the cake, contains 395 calories, 20 g of total fat, 5 g of saturated fat, 363 mg of sodium, 54 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of protein.
Fitting in Your Slice
One slice of the two-layer German chocolate cake contains 54 g of carbohydrates. How much cake you eat depends on your other food choices at your meal and your meal carbohydrate needs. According to the American Diabetes Association, most diabetics need 45 to 60 g of carbohydrates at each meal. One slice of cake provides all of the carbohydrates you need for that meal. This means you have to skip any other carbs at your meal or cut yourself a smaller piece of cake to enjoy your special treat.
