A balanced diet is the key to being healthy and people who have been diagnosed with diabetes have to take extra special care of what they put into their mouths but it does not mean that you have to give up the good things as there are many diabetic recipes that are both delicious and easy!
There are a number of recipes that have been designed to especially suit a diabetic menu and like everything in life should be taken in moderation but it does give you the opportunity to enjoy desserts and treats just like everyone else and the best part of it all is that it is guilt free and made specifically for you.
Nutrition, Diabetics, and Sugar
When you were first diagnosed the first thing you probably thought was “no more sugar” but luckily thanks to other diabetics and nutritionists, there are recipes that are safe and just for you so you can follow the recipes and enjoy the desserts without having to feel any sort of misery at all.
While you may have a specific meal plan that you need to follow, you can slip these easy diabetic-friendly recipes in without feeling guilty! Take a look and we can guarantee that you’ll have sorted that sweet-tooth craving in no time!
5 Easy Diabetic Dessert Recipes
Mocha Ricotta Tiramisu
Instead of using Mascarpone cheese which is high in fat replace it with a light and creamy mixture of unsweetened Ricotta cheese and yoghurt.
Ricotta cheese is much lower in fat and calories than Mascarpone and by adding yoghurt to the Ricotta it makes the mixture creamier and decreases the fat content even further.
Instead of dark chocolate you can dust a teaspoon of cocoa but dark chocolate is a good source of copper which is a mineral that helps absorb iron. Dark chocolate also contains iron which gives you double the benefit.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 finger biscuits halved
- 1 teaspoon of espresso powder
- cup of boiling water
- 2 tablespoons of coffee liqueur or brandy
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 cup of low fat Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup of plain low fat yoghurt
- ¼ cup of confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 ounce of semi sweet dark grated chocolate
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Break each of the finger biscuits into 3 pieces then divide evenly among four 8 ounce glass tumblers
2. Place the coffee in a glass measuring cup and add the boiling water. Add the liqueur or brandy and 1 teaspoon of sugar, stirring to dissolve. Pour evenly over the finger biscuits and leave it to soak whilst you prepare the topping.
3. Beat the Ricotta with the yoghurt, confectioner’s sugar and the vanilla extract until it is smooth and creamy. Pile it on top of the finger biscuits.
4. Sprinkle the top of each dessert with the grated chocolate. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. (Serves 4)
Source: perfectitaliano.com
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
Calories: 242
Calories from fat: 41
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 42mg
Sodium: 162mg
Carbs: 36g
Sugars: 29g
Protein: 13g
Fiber: 1g
This recipe is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin and vitamin A.
Five Star Cookies
This recipe makes 16 cookies, takes 10 mins to prep and 10 mins to cook using healthy barley flakes which are slightly crispier than oatmeal and it can be found in most health stores.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons Hazelnuts, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup dried chopped Apricots
- ¼ cup pitted dried dates, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- cup Barley flakes
- cup whole wheat flour
- teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons Canola oil
- 4 tablespoons apple juice
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Mix chopped Hazelnuts, dates, Apricots and sunflower seeds together in a bowl.
2. Mix Canola oil and apple juice together and pour over the dry mixture. Stirring until the dry mixture is slightly moist
3. Drop the batter by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet coated in cooking spray. Using the back of a fork dipped in flour, gently flatten each ball and neaten edges with your finger
4. Bake until golden brown for 10 minutes, transfer to a wire rack to cool.
These cookies can be kept in an airtight container for 4 days.
Source: rd.com
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
Calories: 61
Fat: 3g
Saturated fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 41mg
Carbs: 9g
Protein: 1g
Fiber: 1g
Strawberry Banana Delight
This guilt- free mousse takes 15 mins to prepare and serves 4.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pack Strawberry sugar –free gelatine
- 1 cup boiling water
- 6 ice cubes
- 2 medium ripe bananas cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons whipped topping
- 4 fresh strawberries
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water, cool for 10 minutes. Add enough water to ice- cubes to measure 1 cup. Place gelatine and ice mixture into a blender. Cover and process for 1 min until cubes are dissolved. Add bananas and process until blended.
2. Pour into 4 dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 30 mins or until set.
3. Garnish with 1 tablespoon of whipped topping and a strawberry.
Source: recipes101.com
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
Calories: 78
Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 48mg
Carbs: 16g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Diabetic exchange: 1 fruit
Angel Food Cake
This dessert is virtually fat free, made with egg whites only and with baking forms a golden crust. It can be served with creamy low fat yogurt and berries. It takes 15 mins to prep, 35 mins to cook and serves 12.
The cake is high in sugar so a person with diabetes should eat it in moderation or substitute sugar for a sweetner.
INGREDIENTS
Cake
- 1 cup sifted flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 8 large egg whites at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Garnish
- 8 ounce strawberries cut into quarters
- 8 ounce raspberries
- 8 ounce blueberries
- 1 container sugar free light vanilla yogurt
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and sift flour and 1/3 cup sugar onto a large plate, set aside
2. Place egg whites and cream of tartar into a large bowl, whisk until frothy. Combine cup of sugar and salt, add to egg whites in a slow and steady stream. Add vanilla extract and whip until stiff peaks are formed.
3. Sift flour mixture into egg whites and fold in gently with a large spoon until blended.
4. Spoon mixture into a greased 10 inch tube pan, smoothing the top. Bake until golden brown for 35 minutes until cake springs back when touched in the center.
5. Invert cake onto a wire rack until cooled upside down. Slide a knife around side of pan until cake is loosened, invert onto serving plate.
6. Before serving mix berries and spoon into the hollow of center of the cake and serve each slice with a drop of vanilla yogurt.
Source: deliciouslyorganic.net
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
Calories: 133
Calories from fat: 2g
Fat: 0g
Saturated fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 96mg
Carbs: 29g
Sugars: 17g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g
Maple Walnut Roasted Apples
For a dose of protein and good fat this recipe takes 15 mins to prepare, 30 mins to cook and serves 4.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup Maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons apple cider or apple juice
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 2 large apples, halved
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- 1 cup reduced fat ice- cream or low fat vanilla frozen yogurt
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Coat an 8 inch square baking dish with non stick spray
2. Combine maple syrup, apple cider and butter into saucepan, bring to simmer stirring. Remove from heat.
3. Wash and dry apple halves with the skin on, remove cores. Place apples cut side up into baking dish. Pour maple syrup mixture over apples. Cover with foil. Bake for 20 mins.
4. Baste apples with maple syrup mixture. Sprinkle with walnuts. Return to oven and bake uncovered, until apples are tender and glazed for 10 to 20 mins basting once or twice. Slightly cool then place apple half on each dessert dish, drizzle with syrup. Serve with a scoop vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Source: noblepig.com
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
Calories: 207
Fat: 6g
Saturated fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 29mg
Carbs: 38g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Featured Image Source: Thinkstock/Jovanmandic