Hey mama to bee! Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes does not have to be the end-all, be-all when it comes to enjoying sweets. In fact, a lot of my patients often end up craving sweets and wonder what desserts for gestational diabetes look like, or if there are any. The good news is that you can have sweets, and I’m going to help you navigate what sweet desserts can fit, including some delightful Desserts for gestational diabetes!
Proteins Role
Usually, when you have sweet desserts, they are often a bedtime snack, and those bedtime snacks should be higher in protein. Protein at night can help stabilize blood sugar levels, which can aid in controlling fasting blood sugar numbers. With the dessert ideas for gestational diabetes listed below, it’s essential to choose a protein source to pair with the sweet snacks. My suggestion would be to get at least 10 grams of protein in before the bedtime snack. That could look like a protein shake, a Greek yogurt, or even just some cheese! The biggest part is making sure there are few carbs with the protein, so you can add the carbs in with your dessert.
Explore a variety of delicious Desserts for gestational diabetes that not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also maintain your blood sugar levels.
Dessert options
- Mini ice creams – any of the mini ice creams, such as Blue Bunny mini, Magnum mini, or Toll House mini cookie sandwiches – will provide you with between 15-30 grams of carbs.
- Making pudding with instant pudding mix (such as CorePower) or purchasing regular-sized pudding packs and pairing them with protein helps keep you under 30g of carbs. The sugar-free options are only 10g of carbs!
- Fro-yo bars such as Clio or Yasso are lower in carbs and higher in protein, so adding protein could be optional in this case.
- Tru Fru is a quick bedtime snack that is low in carbs and pairs nicely with a Greek yogurt to bump up the protein. The fiber inside this snack is an added bonus!
- Quest cookies are a complete cookie, offering a balanced combination of carbs and protein.
- Noosa cheesecake bites, have two bites served with a Core Power shake are the ultimate sweet tooth combo.
- Ice pops paired with a clear protein is a refreshing option, especially during warmer days. Outshine is made with real fruit for a little added fiber bonus, and regular ice pops are usually under 20 grams of carbs.
Enjoy the Sweets!
You don’t have to be afraid of eating carbs or sweets with gestational diabetes. There are plenty of options for desserts for gestational diabetes; often, it comes down to portion control and pairing with protein. When in doubt, you can always check a nutrition facts label or refer to this blog for help. Don’t overthink it, you got this!