Desserts
Yeah, this one is tough. I know. My biggest downfall is anything chocolate. If you put a pan of brownies in front of me, I really could eat the whole thing.
This is when I am in most need of having a safe food. We all know I am going to have a bite of the brownies (notice I said bite, not pan). The trick is to have a small bite of the items you really want to eat. Then, if there’s something lower in carbs, have a little more of that to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Do you know how many Pinterest boards there are dedicated to Jell-O and Jell-O pudding desserts? I do, because I follow hundreds of them!
Using sugar-free Jell-O and pudding allows you to create and eat many fun desserts for each season and occasion. And, there are lots of flavors to choose from these days. Quite a few of these recipes will call for additional ingredients like cream cheese and Cool Whip in them. Believe it or not, those ingredients are very low in carbs.
Sugar-free Jell-O and pudding have been a lifesaver in my diabetes journey! Fresh fruits are also great for dessert as they are healthy and sweet but you do need to remember to count the carbs. Be sure to stick with fruits that are low on the glycemic index. Some of those would be strawberries, peaches, grapes, apples, and oranges. Those and a little Cool Whip can make an excellent dessert if you are a fruit lover.
Drinks
A quick word about drinks and a few hacks to help out.
Sodas
I think you already know this one but there is a lot of sugar in sodas. If you have to have a soda, find a diet flavor that you like.
Coffee Drinks
Skip the whipped cream and ask for sugar-free syrups. Most places have those now. They taste just as good and look just as pretty.
Alcohol
View cautiously. Many times alcohol can actually lower your blood sugar and can cause hyperglycemia. But then, drinks with a lot of fruit or juices in them tend to have a lot of carbs. So, you can see this can cause a sticky situation. If you feel you must have a social drink now and then, first we suggest you chat with your doctor for their recommendations. In addition, something like a rum and Diet Coke, a small glass of wine, or one beer might be the way to go. Moderation and safety are always the
If you feel you must have a social drink now and then, first we suggest you chat with your doctor for their recommendations. In addition, something like a rum and Diet Coke, a small glass of wine, or one beer might be the way to go. Moderation and safety are always the key. If you drink slowly, you can still be social, just make that one drink last a long time.
First the Carbs, Then the Fats
At the beginning, I was so consumed with counting the carbs, that I didn’t worry about fat or calories. In general, the lower the carbs, the lower the fat/calories. But you do have to watch out — especially if you are also trying to lose weight.
While cheeses and dips are low in carbs, the calories can easily creep up on you. Same thing with the cream cheese in those Jell-O desserts. As always, moderation is the key. Work with your doctor or nutritionist to be sure you are eating the right amount of calories as well as carbs.
Diabetes doesn’t mean the end of your foodie fantasies. It just means you have to plan ahead, eat smart, and make some substitutions now and then. If you find some great tips on this, we’d love to hear them.
