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Sugar-Free Desserts for Diabetics

The meal is over and everyone is talking about the final course--dessert. You might think there are two options for a diabetic. You could skip dessert even though it is well known that you have a sweet tooth. Or you could eat the cheesecake and completely blow your diet, much to the chagrin of your doctor. But there is a third option. Have a scrumptious dessert without ruining your diet by just putting a little forethought into the course.

  1. Fruit Salad

    • Fruit salad is a refreshing dessert on a warm summer evening, but some diabetics avoid fruit because of the high sugar content. Total avoidance is not the answer; diabetics simply need to limit the amount of high-glycemic fruits. For example, pineapple and watermelon each have a high glycemic index, so consider making a fruit salad with some pears and berries. Also, citrus such as oranges are high in vitamin C, which can be beneficial for combating diabetes complications.

    Sugar-Free Pudding

    • Bill Cosby would be so happy to know that diabetics can eat pudding, too. It does have to be sugar-free, but the good news is that you can top it with a spoonful of fat-free whipped topping. Moderation is an important factor when it comes to eating dessert so even though you are having a healthier, sugar-free version, there's no need to polish off three servings in one sitting.

    Ice Cream

    • The days of buying just any treat from the ice cream man might be over, but there are plenty of frozen treats that diabetics can safely eat. Look for labels that say "sugar-free and all-natural ingredients." And part of the joy of ice cream is the toppings. Consider drizzling liquified fruit over the ice cream and adding some chopped nuts as a finishing touch.

    Homemade Cookies, Brownies, and Cakes

    • For those who enjoy baking but need to alter the recipes to match the diabetic lifestyle, Splenda and Stevia are a few of the most popular sugar alternatives. Also, wheat flour can make after-dinner goodies even healthier. Another substitute that can be used is skim milk, which offers the benefits of calcium and vitamin D without the high fat content.

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