Top 5 Holiday Treats

Top 5 Holiday Treats

Don’t let diabetes get in the way of seasonal treats. Many traditional holiday foods can be prepared with minor substitutions to be much more manageable for diabetics. Our favorite holiday treats are:

1. Ginger Snaps.
Make these healthier by substituting a no-calorie sweetener for the sugar, and whole wheat or flax flour for at least half of the white flour. Depending on the recipe and degree of the modifications, cookies can end up being around 60 calories with only around 7 grams of carbohydrates each-- not bad for a cookie!

2. Apple Cider
Either make your own, or buy from the store. Apple cider is mainly a mixture of apples (watch your carbohydrate levels) and spices. Try to avoid mass produced bottles and caramel ciders, as they often have added sugar.

3. Pumpkin Cookies
Use any standard pumpkin cookie recipe, but reduce the amounts of fat (butter, flour, sugar) and substitute with unsweetened applesauce. Make these cookies even better by substituting sugar and flour for healthier versions.

4. Zucchini Bread
Bake using egg whites only, wheat flour, and a sugar substitute. Most zucchini bread recipes include carrots and zucchini; applesauce may also be added to add moisture and reduce other fats. Zucchini bread is a very tasty alternative to traditional sweets, and lower in carbohydrates. It is still fairly high in fat levels and calories, so do limit how much is eaten.

5. Bread Pudding
Swap whole milk for skim, and use an artificial sweetener. Use spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to add flavor. Eat in moderation – this recipe, even modified, is still very high in carbohydrates.



http://www.food.com/recipe/yummy-low-carb-gingersnaps-diabetic-friendly-105002
http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/diabetic-recipes/Spiced-Apple-Cider/r3857.html
http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/holiday-meal-planning/making-sugar-count-during-the-holidays.html
http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/recipes/Diabetic__Bread__Pudding.htm