When one is diagnosed with diabetes, the first thought that many have is they must say goodbye to desserts and other sweet treats forever. However, just because you have been diagnosed with diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself once in awhile.
It is true that you must severely limit your sweet treats and, in most cases, it’s best to reserve sweets and other desserts for special occasions so you don’t miss out. However, with a little planning you can still have your favorite dessert every now and then while still managing your disease.
The Truth About Sugar
One of the biggest myths about diabetes is that it is caused by eating too much sugar. However, sugar has absolutely nothing to do with developing type 1 diabetes and the issue is even more complicated for those that develop type 2 diabetes.
One of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes is being overweight, but a diet that is high in calories that contribute to excessive weight gain can come from a variety of foods. However, research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association recommends that people limit their intake of these sweet beverages.
Any type of carbohydrate can raise blood sugar levels. However, these carbohydrates can come from multiple sources and the total amount of carbohydrates you eat affects blood sugar levels much more than simply the type. So what does this mean for you? Most experts today agree that diabetics can substitute small amounts of sure for other sources of carbohydrates while still keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
This doesn’t mean that you can eat sugar all the time or whenever you want. You must carefully plan when you are going to have that sweet treat and be sure you eliminate other sources of carbohydrates on the day that you choose to have your dessert.
How to Incorporate Desserts into a Diabetes Friendly Meal Plan
When you decide that you want to include a small dessert into your meal plan, you must carefully plan your meals for the day. Remember, you must eliminate one or more of your carbohydrates for the day in order to be able to enjoy that sweet treat.
Some common foods that you eat that contain carbohydrates are:
- Bread
- Crackers
- Rice
- Fruit
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Peas
- Juice
- Milk
- Cereal
- Yogurt
On average, a person should have 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates at meals. In order to include your favorite dessert, you must eliminate some of your sources of carbohydrates. Remember, serving sizes are important and if you have a hard time eliminating your favorite carbohydrate for the day try cutting back on how much of it you eat instead.
Sweet Recipes Diabetics Will Love
In addition to your favorite desserts, there are many types of sweet treats you can make that are more diabetic friendly. For example, you can create your own sherbet using buttermilk, blackberries and lime. By mixing these ingredients together and placing it in the freezer, you can easily make a diabetic friendly dessert that is both great tasting and good for you.
If you enjoy something a little sweet at breakfast time, why not mix it up a bit with a broiled grapefruit. Simply cut a grapefruit in half and lightly sprinkle it with brown sugar and cinnamon and broil it in your oven for five minutes. This treat is healthy and loaded with antioxidants and won’t drive your blood sugar through the roof when you eat it.
Just because you have been diagnosed with diabetes it doesn’t mean that you have to give up sweets for the rest of your life. You can still enjoy your favorite dessert on occasion. However, you must plan ahead and tailor your meal plan for the day in preparation for enjoying that divine dessert. With proper planning, you can be sure your blood sugar levels stay in a normal, healthy range while still enjoying the sweet taste of your favorite dessert.
Featured photo credit: Table of Sweets via picjumbo.com
