Holidays can be tough for people with diabetes when it comes to dessert. Whether it is pie on Thanksgiving or cookies during a Christmas party, sweets are everywhere. Holidays are a special time to spend with friends and family, and enjoying treats is part of the experience.
If you have diabetes or prediabetes and are watching your blood sugar, portion size is one of the most important aspects of choosing a dessert. Most people with diabetes can enjoy a small serving of the 7 desserts below now and again. If you’re unsure if the dessert is right for you, consult your health professional.
Then, for more tips on managing blood sugar, check out the Best Morning Eating Habits To Reduce Blood Sugar.
These brownies do contain 1 tablespoon of sugar each. Opt for half a brownie, which will cut it down to 1½ teaspoons of sugar, and keep those optional walnuts in the batter, as the fat can help slow down the absorption of the granulated sugar.
Get our recipe for Fudge Brownies.
These apple turnovers provide 200 calories, 8 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, and 32 grams carbohydrates. Remember, portions matter when it comes to blood sugar control, so take half for a reasonable 16 grams of carbs with this treat.
Get our recipe for Apple Turnovers.
Fruit can be a helpful part of your meal when you’re trying to watch your blood sugar. These poached pears are served with syrup made with sugar, so opt for half a pear and no syrup instead. That way you can still get the sweetness from the fruit, and you can keep the dollop of whipped cream for an added treat as well!
Get our recipe for Chai Poached Pears.
Cake pops are made small, so they’re already served in controlled portions, which is great for when you’re watching your blood sugar. Plus, they’re made with peanut butter protein, which helps slow down the absorption of sugar into the blood.
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Get our recipe for Lemon Cake Pops.
These cookies are made with Purecane, which is a zero-calorie, zero-carb sweetener made from the Reb-M molecule of the stevia leaf. Purecane is appropriate for people with diabetes, but can also be enjoyed by your friends and family as well.
Get our recipe for Shortcake Drop Cookies.
These cupcakes provide 237 calories, 15 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein. Again, portions are what is key here, so try sticking to just one as a post-dinner treat.
Get our recipe for Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
This chocolate pudding provides 310 calories, 19 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, and 29 grams of sugar. The amount of sugar is equivalent to around two slices of bread (or two carb equivalents). Enjoy half a serving to bring the sugar grams down to less than 15 grams, which is reasonable for a dessert.
Get our recipe for Chocolate Pudding.
At the end of the day, you don’t need to totally avoid dessert if you’re trying to watch your blood sugar (although this depends on what your doctor and dietitian suggest). What is helpful is finding ways to still enjoy your favorite treats, but in a way that can help you stay on track with your consumption of sugar and carbohydrates. While sticking to zero-sugar desserts is an option, you can also try these desserts from our list with smaller portion sizes.
Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN
Toby Amidor is an award winning dietitian and Wall Street Journal best-selling cookbook author who believes healthy and wholesome can also be appetizing and delicious. Read more about Toby
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