Fruit Desserts for Diabetics

© All rights reserved

Thanks for all the nice feedback on my "low-carb smoothie recipes" hub. This time, let's talk about something a bit heavier than smoothies; fruit desserts. Fruits contain sugar, but they are also filled with soluble fiber, which helps slow down the process of sugar absorption into the bloodstream. In addition, a study by UCLA found that the combination of a high-fiber and low-fat diet can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin. Eating healthy fruit desserts thus can be a win-win tactic for people with diabetes. You can get your sweets and improve your health at the same time.

It is possible to be a healthy diabetic if you eat "smart" carbs and keep your body weight under control. Some people may think once they develop type 2 diabetes, they either have to extensively rely on medication or eat like an abstemious hermit. That is only partly correct. You should eat in moderation like a hermit, but it doesn't mean you can't have any goodies at all. Many diabetics who have made slight modifications for a healthier lifestyle can control their blood sugar with minimal doses of diabetic medicines. And some, although regular check-ups with a doctor are still needed, don't have to take any medications at all. These fruit dessert recipes will give you some basic ideas of how you can prepare delicious and diabetic-friendly goodies with healthy ingredients.

Apple skin is rich in fiber, but it might be a bit too odd to make apple crisp with unpeeled apples. Adding oatmeal to this dessert is a good way to make up for all that fiber you have to peel off. Almonds are also highly beneficial for diabetics. They may not directly assist in blood-sugar control but they do promote a healthy heart. Heart disease, as you probably know, is one of the most common diabetes complications.

Most apple crisp recipes have much more sugar than this, but since this is diabetic apple crisp, we have to limit the sugar to only 2 teaspoons. If your doctor suggested that you should be very strict with the consumption of refined sugar, you may use a sugar substitute instead. Splenda or Sweet'N Low are good for baking since high heat does not affect their sweetness, though they usually make the flavor come out a bit artificial. If you don't have that much of a sweet craving, you may make your apple crisp with no added sugar or sugar substitute at all. It will still be delicious.

Ingredients (for 5 - 6 servings)

- 4 baking apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices

- 1 cup uncooked oatmeal

- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

- 1/4 cup roasted almonds, chopped

- 2 tsps. brown sugar (or 1/4 tsp. sugar substitute)

- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

- 1/4 tsp. ginger

- 1/3 cup low-fat margarine

- low-fat whipped cream (optional)

- non-stick cooking spray

Preparation: Arrange apple slices in a sprayed baking pan. Mix oatmeal, flour, almonds, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger together. Put the dry mixture on top of the apple slices. Melt margarine and pour it over the dry mixture. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven for about 30 - 35 minutes or until the topping turns crispy. Top with low-fat whipped cream and serve.

This healthy fruit dessert is a real treat. Stuffed strawberries look especially gorgeous when they are lined up on a party tray, next to colorful arrays of other fresh fruits. For those of you who are crazy about Twinkies and filled donuts, I suggest you give these stuffed strawberries a go. You'll still be able to indulge yourself with the rich creamy stuffing, yet also cut back immensely on fat and carbs. And let me tell you one diabetes etiquette tip: don't eat them all by yourself. The tastier they are, the more you should share with others.

Ingredients

- 20 large fresh strawberries

- 3 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened

- 1 tbsp. skim milk

- 1 tbsp. powdered sugar (or 1 pkt. sugar substitute)

- 1 tsp. almond extract

Preparation: Cut off the stem of each strawberry, forming a balanced base for the strawberry to stand on. Insert the tip of a small paring knife into the pointed end of each strawberry and carefully slice it into 4 wedges without cutting through the base. Put cream cheese, milk, sugar and almond extract into a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stuff about a teaspoon of the mixture into each strawberry. If you're planning to make a lot of stuffed strawberries for a party, an icing bag and piping tip (cake decoration tools) might come in handy for the stuffing process. If you're just going to make a few, however, a normal teaspoon will be practical enough.

This is an easy way to make sorbet without an ice cream maker. Some people might want to add a bit of sugar to this recipe, but I usually don't. Pineapples already have their natural sweetness. Plus, it's just more diabetic-friendly this way. If you add a teaspoon of coconut and rum extract to this recipe, what you'll get is a yummy "pina colada sorbet."

Ingredients (for 1 - 2 servings)

- 1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen

- 1/2 cup frozen, fat-free, non-dairy whipped topping

Preparation: Process pineapple in a blender until mushy (not liquefied), then transfer to a bowl. Fold in the frozen whipped topping. Serve immediately.