Diabetes is a chronic condition that can sometimes feel quite limiting when it comes to planning out what you want to eat daily. When you have a sweet tooth, your options may feel even more limiting. The added sugar in many treats on the market can cause spikes in blood glucose levels. This is something that you want to avoid when it comes to managing your diabetes. The good news is that you can still enjoy a few homemade recipes, including brownies. We look closer at five great brownie recipes appropriate for people with diabetes.
Can You Eat Brownies If You Have Diabetes?
Diabetes management often includes several lifestyle changes that reduce exposure to sugar and carbohydrates. This helps reduce the amount of glucose that circulates in your body, especially in cases where your cells become resistant to insulin.
Whether you can have a brownie as a diabetic depends on the severity of your condition, as well as the specific brownie that you want to eat. When you consume too much sugar, your blood glucose levels can rise too much. This can lead to a complication known as hyperglycemia, which can be dangerous in some cases.
This does not mean treats are out of the question. Over the last few years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of sugar substitutes on the market. Some of these substitutes may even provide benefits regarding diabetes management. For example, stevia, which is actually much sweeter than regular sugar, could even help lower blood glucose levels.
Best Brownie Recipes That Are Okay For Diabetics
There’s nothing better than a batch of homemade brownies. Preparing homemade baked goods is a great option for diabetics. It gives you control over the ingredients you add to these food items and helps ensure you do not experience a spike in your glucose levels.
We will share a selection of five brownie recipes you can enjoy as a diabetic.
Quick Single Serving Brownie
If you want to prepare a healthy brownie that won’t push up your glucose levels like store-bought alternatives, then this one is a great option. It is a brownie that allows you to create a single serving—and you can even prepare it in the microwave. You also only need a couple of ingredients, and the recipe is perfectly suited for vegans.
Here’s a list of the ingredients you will need to prepare these brownies:
- A quarter cup of applesauce, unsweetened
- A quarter teaspoon of baking powder
- About three tablespoons of cocoa powder, unsweetened
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A tablespoon of maple syrup
To prepare this brownie, you need only mix everything together. If you want to prepare it in the microwave, mix your ingredients in a cup or bowl. Start your brownie mixture on a one-minute timer. Once your microwave reaches the one-minute mark, the next step is to continue cooking in intervals of about 30 seconds. Check every 30 seconds until the brownie is properly cooked.
You can also bake the brownie in the oven. Set your oven’s temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the mixture for 20 to 30 minutes.
If you do not want to use maple syrup, consider sweetening the recipe with dark chocolate or a small amount of honey.
Sweet Potato And Avocado Brownies
This one may seem a bit strange at first, but you won’t believe how tasty it is. The great thing about this recipe is that it allows you to get your sweet fix while also providing you with a nutritious treat. This is due to the presence of both avocado and sweet potato in the batter.
Let’s start with the wet ingredients:
- About a quarter cup of date paste
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A cup of sweet potato, cooked and pureed
- Half a cup of avocado puree
- Half a cup of applesauce, unsweetened
- Two eggs, large
You’ll also need a couple of dry ingredients:
- Half a cup of whole-wheat flour
- One teaspoon of baking soda
- Half a cup of cocoa powder
- A pinch of salt
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the wet ingredients in a food processor, then add the dry ingredients. You can add some walnuts for a crunchy texture and to add some extra nutrition to the brownies. Pulse the mixture in your food processor, then spread it out in a nine-inch by nine-inch pan. Bake for 25 minutes until there is no batter left on a toothpick you stick into the center of the cake.
Peanut Butter Brownies
This recipe uses peanut butter to add extra protein to the brownies. Compared to other recipes, you do need a couple of more ingredients, but they turn out great.
Here’s the ingredients you need:
- One-third cup of cocoa powder
- One stick of unsalted butter
- Two eggs, large
- Two extra egg yolks, large
- Half a cup of coconut flour
- Half a cup of peanut butter
- Half a cup of boiling water
- About a quarter cup of coconut oil
- Two teaspoons of vanilla extract
- A cup of xylitol or another sweetener you prefer
- One and a quarter cups of almond flour
- A few pieces of unsweetened chocolate
You can prepare this batch in a 9 x 13-inch pan. Before you add the batter, add foil to the pan.
Start with the cocoa powder and boiling water, then add the chocolate pieces and wait for them to melt. Now, add oil and butter, eggs, the vanilla extract, and the sweetener. Finish up with the almond flour and leftover ingredients, except peanut butter. Add the peanut butter on top of the batter and swirl it in. Bake for about 20 minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
Many people think that they cannot enjoy a sweet treat now and then when they have diabetes. While store-bought treats are often filled with added sugars, making some baked goods at home is a great way to spoil yourself. Start with these five brownie recipes that satisfy your sweet cravings.