This year, someone with diabetes will probably be sitting at your holiday table. After all, 9.3 percent of all U.S. adults have diabetes, and there’s about a 1 in 4 chance that grandma and grandpa are watching their blood sugar. So, when it comes to sweet treats, what exactly is diabetes-friendly?
According to Maria Rodriguez, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with the Mount Sinai Health System Diabetes Alliance, desserts should ideally contain no more than about 20 grams of carbs and 200 calories per serving. If they are high in protein and low in saturated fat, even better. How do you pull that off while keeping your whole family’s taste buds happy? Whip up one of these seven diabetes-friendly desserts.
[See: The Best Diets to Prevent and Manage Diabetes.]
1. “Everything” Dark Chocolate and Walnut Tartlets
With only 12 grams of carbs per serving, these tartlets take carb content low as it can possibly go. They’re ideal for virtually all dark chocolate lovers, be they vegan, gluten-free, paleo or, of course, diabetic.
Full recipe courtesy of kaleishafetters.com
2. Vegan Pumpkin & Coconut Mousse
This mousse is just as much vegetable as it is dessert. Plus, all of the ingredients — including pumpkin, coconut cream and agave nectar — boast a low glycemic load.
Full recipe courtesy of terraskitchen.com
[See: The 38 Easiest Diets to Follow: in Pictures.]
3. Healthy Peanut Butter Power Cookies
As if peanut butter weren’t great enough all on its own, old-fashioned oats, flaxseed and almond flour boost these cookies’ health factor even higher.
Full recipe courtesy of fannetasticfood.com
4. Apple Ginger Phyllo Nests
Coming in at only 50 calories per serving, these cute little nests are filled with wholesome ingredients like Greek yogurt, granny smith apples, tart cherries, ginger and vanilla.
Full recipe courtesy of appforhealth.com
5. Pumpkin Cranberry Harvest Parfait
How can whipped topping fit into a diabetes-friendly eating plan? By making it with cashew cream, coconut oil, fresh ginger and just a touch of honey. Your guests will be shocked!
Full recipe courtesy of betsysbest.com
[See: The 12 Best Diets for Your Heart.]
6. Festive Holiday Cranberry Greek Yogurt Bark
Seriously, what can’t you do with Greek yogurt? This recipe, packed with 5 grams of protein per serving, sits steady at a mere 60 calories and 6 grams of carbs. ‘Tis the season to get creative!
Full recipe courtesy of bistroMD.com
7. No-Bake Chocolate Brownies
Not only do these brownies contain zero added sugar (thanks to pitted dates!), they are loaded with protein and healthy unsaturated fatty acids.
Full recipe courtesy of youtube.com
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7 Diabetes-Friendly Holiday Desserts originally appeared on usnews.com
