Ice cream is a delightful sweet treat any time of year, whether you’re chowing down on a pint straight from the freezer or taking a cone from the neighborhood scoop shop.
Ice cream is typically thought to be off-limits for those with diabetes. There is a way to consume ice cream and get away with it, despite the fact that the majority of variations on the market are rich in sugar and can swiftly boost your blood sugar levels.
The secret is to pay attention to portion sizes, study nutrition labels, and make healthy decisions.
Living with diabetes or prediabetes requires careful monitoring of your diet. Blood sugar levels must be kept within normal ranges. Consequently, it is important to keep an eye on carbohydrate consumption.
About Ice Cream & Tips to Enjoy It
Diabetics are not restricted from eating anything, even ice cream or other high-fat treats. On the other hand, practically all of the food they eat benefits from portion management. Their lives are made more exciting and zealous for food by the occasional sweet treat and reasonable ice cream. While it is true that ice cream is not the healthiest dessert, it is nevertheless a potential delivery system for nutrients that support good health, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and natural antioxidants.
- Like sugar-free options, there are several approaches to consuming ice cream. Here are some ideas for how to sate your sweet craving without later suffering from high blood sugar.
- For the serving size (usually 1/2 cup), look at the Nutrition Facts Label.
- Avoid ice cream that has been blended with candy or cookie dough; the mix-ins add extra calories and carbohydrates.
- Measure out the serving into a small dish rather than eating it directly from the container.
- Do not forget to calculate the ice cream’s carbohydrate content. Replace a carb-containing food at your meal or snack with a dish of ice cream.
- You may learn more about the impact of ice cream on your blood sugar levels by checking it with a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) 1–2 hours after consuming it.
- After eating ice cream, you should engage in some sort of physical exercise to avoid a spike in your blood sugar.
What to Look for in Ice Cream?
Ice cream may be a staple of a balanced diabetic diet if you choose healthy products carefully and pay attention to portion size.
- Sugar-Free
The majority of sugar-free ice creams are prepared with milk, which naturally contains sugar lactose. It has, however, decreased sugar levels. It consequently does not cause a significant increase in blood sugar like table sugar.
- Fat and Protein
The majority of ice cream that is blood sugar-friendly has a reasonable quantity of protein and fat. It could aid in lowering the chance of a blood sugar increase.
- Low Carbs
A serve of ice cream contains around 15 grams per serving. As a result, modify your meal to account for the ice cream’s carbohydrates. Keto-compatible ice cream is an interesting choice.
Ice Cream Alternatives for Diabetes
We know all you are looking for is a gelato or low-fat-low-carb ice cream brand recommendation, however, we bring you alternate products that will not have you looking for labels all the time. Here you go!
- Banana Ice Cream
It is the ideal option for diabetics because ordinary ice cream contains unhealthy preservatives, high sugar additions, and a lot of butter fat. Banana ice cream, on the other hand, is a great healthy treat.
As opposed to ripe bananas, underripe bananas have a higher resistant starch content, making them a suitable dietary supplement. Due to the fact that it does not cause a blood sugar surge, this kind of carbohydrate is remarkable. Instead, it promotes digestion and lengthens the experience of being full. Just keep in mind to control the serving amount and avoid overeating.
- Frozen Greek Yoghurt
One of the world’s most delicious and healthy desserts would be this. Frozen yogurt employs cultured milk in place of the cream that is used in ice cream.
Frozen yogurt is therefore probiotic-rich and frequently has less fat than other types of yogurt. Protein, vitamin B12, and iodine are all present in sufficient amounts. Greek yogurt contains iodine, which is necessary for the body’s metabolism to be healthy and maintain a stable blood glucose level.
Greek yogurt transforms into the ideal post-workout food since it contains protein in every bite. It is also important to note that frozen yogurt has much fewer calories per serving than ice cream, at only 111 per cup. They are also suitable for persons who are lactose intolerant because they contain 2-4% milk fat.
In addition to lifestyle changes, incorporating GlucoBerry supplements may provide additional support in managing blood sugar levels. GlucoBerry, a natural supplement rich in antioxidants such as the Maqui Berry Extract, can aid in the regulation of blood sugar levels. However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating any supplement into your routine to ensure it aligns with your overall health goals and current medications.
