Craving something sweet? We all do it. Just because you are diabetic doesn't mean you never crave something a little sweet now and then. The problem with sweets is the fat intake. Sweets are usually simply loaded with fat and calories. You can blow your fat intake and a good portion of your calorie intake for the day with one goodie. And just because you are diabetic doesn't mean you can never have another sweet either.
Although I have this recipe section on my site with a lot of goodies on it, I've never been a sweets eater myself. It gets cooked/baked for others for the most part without me as much as licking my fingers. I'm the kind of person that can eat one chocolate, or one section of a chocolate bar.. lol My mother on the other hand is a chocoholic, thank goodness she isn't diabetic. But.. once in a blue moon I do want something sweet and if you are anything like me, the more I deny myself at that point the stronger the craving gets.
When I was first diagnosed, while learning about healthy eating and losing a substantial amount of weight (over 70 lbs) I was scared to waiver from my diet but the cravings got worse. I craved pizza and I craved fish & chips, those kinds of things. So off I went to talk to my doctor who then informed me that a once in a blue moon cheat isn't going to kill me and I learned to just adjust my day. If I wanted something gooey or sweet or simply a piece of pizza I'd adjust the rest of the day's food intake with low fat meals and snacks only and make sure the next day was the same. Guess what? He was right, it didn't kill me and since I lost that weight within a year (by '92), I haven't put any weight back on. You should see my before and after pics.. lol
Anyway, on this page you will find some alternatives for those sweets cravings you may have. These aren't the "be all, end all" of sweets but it can help you curb those cravings some. You may not even like any of these but give them a shot now and then if you like.
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If you crave: Apple Pie
Then you might try: Core a cooking apple (about 6 ounces), and peel one third of the way. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. Cook in the microwave, covered, on medium-high (70% power) for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. |
If you crave: Chunky Gourmet Ice Cream (like Ben & Jerry's or Hagan Daas) at 240 to 370 calories, 14 to 26 grams fat for 1/2 cup
Then you may want to try:
Add in ONLY one of the following
1 reduced-fat mini chocolate bar, cut up |
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If You Crave: A Jelly-filled Donut at 290 calories, & 16 grams fat
Try This Instead: Spread 2 teaspoons raspberry jam on a split ladyfinger. |
If You Crave: Strawberry Shortcake at 420 calories, 21 grams fat for 3 1/4-inch by 3-inch piece
Try This Instead: Take a 1-ounce piece of angel food cake and cut into two thin slices. Place 2 sliced strawberries between the slices. Top with 1/4 cup light whipped topping and 1 sliced strawberry |
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If You Crave: Breaded-and-Fried Onion Rings at 290 calories, 19 grams fat for 10 large rings
Try This Instead: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a flat dish, combine the following to form a paste: 1 teaspoon plain bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder Dip 10 large sweet onion rings (each about 1/2-inch thick) into the mixture to coat edges. Arrange in a single layer in a shallow pan. Bake for about 12 minutes, turning once, until the edges are golden brown. |
If You Crave: Chocolate-coated ice-cream bar at 290 calories, 20 grams fat per 5-ounce bar
Try This Instead: Insert ice-cream stick into end of half a peeled banana. Roll in crumbs of one crushed reduced-fat chocolate wafer. Wrap and freeze. |
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If You Crave: Chinese fried rice at 605 calories, 12 grams fat per 2 cups
Try This Instead: Combine 1 cup cooked white rice, 1 cup steamed vegetables (frozen stir-fry variety works well), and a splash of soy sauce and Asian sesame oil; toss. |
If You Crave: A Milk shake: Prepared with gourmet ice cream (such as Häagen-Dazs) at 420 calories, 26 grams fat
Try This Instead: Blend 1 cup fat-free milk; half a banana, sliced; six strawberries; and four ice cubes. |
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If You Crave: An Ice-cream sandwich at 200 calories, 7 grams fat
Try This Instead: Spread two tablespoons low-fat ice cream between two reduced-fat chocolate wafers. Roll sides in 1 teaspoon chocolate sprinkles. Wrap and freeze. |
If You Crave: A Custard-Filled Éclair at 260 calories, 16 grams fat
Try This Instead: Split a ladyfinger; spread 1 tablespoon low-fat vanilla pudding on each half. |
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How to make Skinny Shakes
About 1/2 cup of skim or 2% milk Then whip it all together in a blender until smooth and start dropping ice cubes into the mixture, one or two at a time. Keep adding the ice cubes until your shake is as thick as desired. For variations, add fresh or frozen strawberries, chocolate syrup to taste (just a bit), crushed pineapple, or a fresh peach. The possibilities are endless. But always include the banana. It makes the shake smooth and creamy. |
A Tasty Fruit Treat:
1 medium Apple cut in half Cut a medium sized apple in half. Put the other half in a plastic bag in the fridge for another day. Cut out the core of the apple and toss it. Cut the remaining apple into small pieces and put it in a bowl. Add I tablespoon of low calorie vanilla yogurt. Sprinkle it with cinnamon (to taste). It's a healthy, quick snack. Try it on the kids too! |
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If you crave: Sliced-steak hero sandwich with 700 calories, 26 grams fat
Try this instead: Brush one medium-large portobello mushroom with balsamic vinegar. Roast in 425 degrees F. oven, top side down, about 10 minutes. Slice, then serve on a split hero roll. |
If You Crave: Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Frosting at 235 calories, 11 grams fat for 1/8 of a cake prepared from an 18-ounce cake mix
Try this instead: Take a 1-ounce piece of angel food cake and cut into two thin slices. Spread 1/4 cup of low-fat chocolate pudding between the slices. Sprinkle with some cocoa powder and garnish it all with 2 tablespoons light whipped topping. |
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If You Crave: Lemon Meringue Pie at 305 calories, 10 grams fat for 1/6 of an 8-inch pie
Try this instead: Spread 1 graham cracker square with 1 tablespoon lemon curd (you find this in the jelly aisle). sprinkle with confectioners sugar. |
If You Crave: Deli-style Potato Chips with 105 calories, 7 grams fat for 12 chips
Try this instead: On a microwave cooking rack, arrange 12 very thin, unpeeled potato slices in a circle. Sprinkle them lightly with salt. Cook in the microwave on "High" for 5 & a 1/2 to 6 and a 1/2 minutes until they're brown. Rotate rack halfway through cooking time. Let stand for one minute. Keep an eye on these. Time depends on how powerful your microwave is. |
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If You Crave: Four-cheese Pizza with 330 calories, 11 grams fat for 1/6 of an 12-inch pie
Try this instead: Use half of a 6 1/2-inch pita and top it with a 1/4 cup of chopped tomato and a 1/4 cup of shredded, light mozzarella cheese. Top with chopped fresh basil or oregano leaves, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese and a 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil. Bake to melt cheese. |
If You Crave: Buffalo wings Seven buffalo-wing pieces, served with celery sticks and a 1/4 cup of blue-cheese dressing is approx. 860 calories, 70 grams fat
Try this instead: Heat 1 teaspoon butter in small skillet; add 5 ounces chicken-breast tenders, cut into seven strips. Cook 5 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon cayenne-pepper sauce. Serve with celery sticks and 1/4 cup low-fat blue-cheese dressing. |
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If You Crave: Fast-food French fries with 450 calories, 22 grams fat per 5 ounces (large order of fries)
Try this instead: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss one unpeeled baking potato (about 5 ounces), cut into wedges, with 1 teaspoon of oil. Arrange in a single layer in a shallow pan. Bake for 25 minutes, turning once, until the potatoes are golden. |
If You Crave: Cherry cordials: Chocolate-covered maraschino cherries with liquid centers at about 165 calories, 6 grams fat per three pieces
Try this instead: Swirl bottom halves of three whole medium strawberries in melted chocolate (use half a semisweet chocolate square). |
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