Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Diabetes-Friendly Desserts for the Summer

Try these tasty diabetes-friendly dessert recipes this summer.

Summer is the perfect time to savor relaxing meals with friends and family, and watching your blood sugar shouldn't necessarily mean that you have to skip dessert. Whether you're craving something cool and creamy or fresh and fruity, these easy, diabetes-friendly desserts can fit deliciously into your healthy eating plan.

Each recipe serves four, so share these treats with the whole family!

Vanilla Latte Granita

If you're looking for a refreshingly sweet treat that will also put a pep in your step, look no further than this simple recipe.

Stir 3 ½ tablespoons of granulated Splenda sweetener, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ cup of 1% milk into 1 ½ cups of strong brewed coffee (if you'd prefer to skip the caffeine, opt for decaffeinated coffee). Pour the mixture into a pie plate and freeze for 1 hour. Remove from the freezer and scrape up the ice crystals. Return the pie plate to the freezer and repeat every 30 minutes until the mixture is completely frozen. Divide your icy treat into four bowls or glasses and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

21 calories, 0 g fat (0 g sat), 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 2 g sugars, 1 g protein, 18 mg sodium, 2 mg cholesterol

Diabetic Exchanges:

None

Fruit Pizza

This creative treat puts a fun twist on a family favorite and amps up the flavor with fresh, juicy watermelon. It's actually a great option for breakfast, too!

Whisk 3 tablespoons of part-skim ricotta cheese with 3 tablespoons of whipped cream cheese. Cut four 1-inch-thick slices of watermelon (approximately 10-ounces per slice, depending on the size of your melon) and arrange on 4 separate plates. Spread the cheese mixture over the watermelon slices. Top each slice with ¼ cup of sliced strawberries and 1 teaspoon of toasted almonds.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

152 calories, 5 g fat (2 g sat), 26 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 23 g sugars, 4 g protein, 35 mg sodium, 11 mg cholesterol

Diabetic Exchanges:

1.5 fruit, 1 fat

Raspberry Orange Sundaes

Sweet orange marmalade and tart raspberries are the perfect combination, and together, they bring balance to a rich, creamy dessert.

Place 2 cups of fresh raspberries and 1 tablespoon of low-sugar marmalade in a medium microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 45 seconds. Stir well. Scoop ½ cup of ice cream into 4 small bowls. Top each scoop with a quarter of the raspberry sauce mixture.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

156 calories, 4 g fat (2 g sat), 27 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 18 g sugars, 4 g protein, 50 mg sodium, 36 mg cholesterol

Diabetic Exchanges:

0.5 fruit, 1 other carbs, 1 fat

Banana Chip Frozen Yogurt

Bananas are naturally sweet and creamy, so they form the perfect base for this frozen confection. Cinnamon adds a little spice, and the chocolate chips give it texture.

Blend 4 sliced, frozen bananas and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Stir in 4 teaspoons of miniature chocolate chips. Divide among 4 serving bowls and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

123 calories, 1 g fat (1 g sat), 30 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 16 g sugars, 1 g protein, 2 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol

Diabetic Exchanges:

2 fruit

Roast Plums

There's so much wonderful fruit to take advantage of over the summer, and while plums are juicy and delicious right off the tree, this simple recipe shows off their versatility (just wait until you smell them baking!).

Slice 4 plums in half and discard the stones. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the plum halves on the baking sheet. Dot each half with ¼ teaspoon unsalted butter and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon brown sugar. Bake in a 375° F oven for 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

93 calories, 2 g fat (1 g sat), 18 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 16 g sugars, 1 g protein, 1 mg sodium, 5 mg cholesterol

Diabetic Exchanges:

1 fruit

Peanut Butter S'mores

Salty and sweet, creamy and fluffy, this combo is destined to be a family favorite—especially when you add the satisfying crunch of graham cracker into the mix.

Place 4 graham cracker squares (2½ inches each) on a microwave-safe plate. Place 1 marshmallow on top of each graham cracker and microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Spread 4 additional graham cracker squares with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter each. Place on top of the melted marshmallows to form a sandwich. (To make frozen s'mores: cool the completed treats for 10 minutes, cover the plate with plastic wrap, and freeze for a ½ hour.)

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

146 calories, 7 g fat (1 g sat), 19 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 8 g sugars, 4 g protein, 70 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol

Diabetic Exchanges:

1 other carbs, 1 fat

With these seasonal, diabetes-friendly desserts, you can feel good about satisfying your sweet tooth!

By Karen Ansel, MS, RDN

Sources:

Glycemic.com, Diabetic Exchange List

USDA, Food Composition Database

These articles are not a substitute for medical advice, and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or medication regime.