Delicious Diabetic Sweets

Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDE

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Valentine’s Day is usually associated with sweets, whether gifted from a loved one, a parent, a friend, a co-worker, or just a little something you buy yourself. But if you’re one of the millions of Americans who are trying to eat less sugar, enjoying a box full of chocolates might not be on the agenda.

Luckily, there are a many simple, homemade diabetic sweets that are carb controlled and delicious! Here’s a few recipes to enjoy with your sweetheart, your family, or simply after a long day of work.

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies -Serves 12

The smell of cinnamon can help you relax for a night of love or self-care, and may be one of those foods that lower blood sugar instantly! A recent study showed that cinnamon powder (Cinnamomum cassia), taken over a 40-day period, reduced mean fasting serum glucose by 18-29 percent, triglycerides by 23-30 percent, LDL cholesterol by 7-27 percent and total cholesterol by 12-26 percent.

4 Ingredients:
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
1.5 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
1.5 Tablespoon of chia seeds

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a large fork, mash bananas in a bowl. Add bananas to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries, serves 2

Studies suggest that flavonoids, found in the cocoa plant, may be helpful in slowing the progression to type 2 diabetes by improving endothelial function, improving glucose metabolism, and lowering oxidative stress. The darker the chocolate, the more flavonoids it typically has!

2 ingredients:
2.65 ounces of 85% Dark Chocolate (I love Alter Eco Organic Dark Chocolate, Black Out)
2 cups fruit of your choice (strawberries are a classic but you can use pineapple, oranges, cantaloupe – your pick, just cut them into 2 bite pieces)

Warm the chocolate in the microwave in 15 second increments until chocolate is melted. Dip fruit into the mix and place it on a parchment paper. Place in fridge for 30 minutes- 1 hour to let set. Enjoy!

Homemade Raspberry Lemon No Sugar Added Sorbet

While honey is sweet and contains carbohydrates, it may be a better substitute for sugar if used in a small quantity. A study shown that honey decreases fasting blood sugar levels. Honey contains antioxidants and has a low glycemic index which allows for a lower blood sugar rise response.

3 ingredients:
6 ounces Raspberries, hulled and halfed
1.5 tablespoons honey
Juice from ½ a lemon

Place the raspberries in a blender and puree until very smooth. Whisk in the honey and lemon juice. Cover and chill the mixture overnight.

Dates with Peanut Butter, serves 2

A positive association was shown in a study looking at nut butter consumption and the risk of women with type 2 diabetes. The study found that women who consumed a portion (2 teaspoons) nut butter more frequently had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Nuts can be calorically dense though and need to be properly portioned. This delicious diabetic sweet is also tasty with a teaspoon of crushed pistachios on top.

2 ingredients:
2 dates
4 teaspoons of peanut butter

Take two dates, depit them. Fill each date with 2 teaspoons of peanut or almond butter of your choice.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse, serves 2

The soluble fiber content of avocados can help keep blood sugar levels steady. It also helps to regulate blood cholesterol levels which may be elevated in individuals susceptible to diabetes. Paired with the flavonoids founds in the cocoa powder and you have a delicious diabetic-friendly dessert!

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
1.5 tablespoons honey
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Small pinch of salt
2 Tablespoons almond milk

Directions:
Remove the avocado put and scoop the flesh out of the avocado. Blend until smooth. Add honey, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt and milk; and blend again.

Chill mixture in a bowl for at least 4 hours before serving.

Originally published on GreenBlender.

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