No-bake milk tart and three other diabetic-friendly treats to try

If you are looking for diabetic-friendly recipes, you’ve come to the right place.

Africa’s death rates from Covid-19 infections are significantly higher in patients with diabetes, according to a preliminary analysis which the World Health Organization (WHO) but having diabetes does not mean you cannot enjoy a treat every now and then.

“Many believe that excess sugar consumption is the main cause of diabetes, however the relationship between diabetes and sugar is still a very complicated one,” explains Christine Rice, registered private practicing dietician.

Type 1 diabetes is a rare form of diabetes, which has been linked to family history and is therefore hereditary. Excess sugar consumption will not cause this type of diabetes but can worsen the symptoms. Type 2 diabetes, which is more common, can be brought on by lifestyle choices and diet.    

Although the logical thought is that the consumption of excess sugar must cause type 2 diabetes, it is much more complex. A high-sugar diet has been linked to an increase incidence of type 2 diabetes due to the connection between high sugar intake and obesity.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition conducted a meta-analysis which suggested that there is a relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, the link between sugar consumption and type 2 diabetes can be both direct and indirect – sugar sweetened drinks are linked directly as a cause, while high sugar-consumption which can cause obesity, one of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes, being linked indirectly.

Other causes of type 2 diabetes include family history, a personal history of heart disease and even depression. 

“Changes to diet and lifestyle can help to manage type 2 diabetes, and even ward off the condition as well,” suggests Rice. “When making small changes to what we eat, how we live and include exercise into our daily routine, we can create a healthy environment for our bodies to thrive.”

Here are four diabetic-friendly recipes to help keep those blood sugar levels under control for those suffering from prediabetes, diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Diabetic=friendly recipes

Sugar-free banana muffins

Ingredients

• 1½ cups Flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup Canderel Xylitol
• 3 bananas mashed
• 1 egg whipped
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 175℃ and prep your muffin pan for nonstick. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Then stir in the Canderel Xylitol.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mashed bananas, whipped egg, and the oil. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Add the dry ingredients from the first bowl to the mixing bowl and gently mix. Then stir in the egg. Do not over mix the ingredients when combining the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Gently stir in the wet ingredients (banana mixture) with the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl until smooth.
4. Bake your banana muffins for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Pecan crescent cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoon coconut flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup softened butter
• ⅔ cup Canderel Xylitol
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, pecans, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, combine butter, Canderel Xylitol, egg and vanilla extract. Add almond flour mixture and beat until dough forms. Roll dough into ¾-inch balls, then shape into crescents.
3. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake at 165°C for 15-18 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Not only are they delicious, but with 4g total carbs per serving, you can indulge guilt-free! You can also top with a glaze or powdered Swerve sweetener.

Zero added sugar lemonade

Ingredients

• ½ cup Canderel Xylitol
• 1 cup lemon juice (bottled lemon juice may have sugar added to it) You will need 4-6 lemons juiced.
• Ice
• 2L water/sparkling water
• Optional – lime juice (3-4 tablespoons), mint sprigs and/or sliced lemons for garnish.

Method

1. Start by squeezing the juice out of your lemons.
2. Transfer the juice to a large pitcher. If adding lime juice to the recipe, do so now.
3. In another pitcher, the one you will serve or store your beverage in, place the amount of ice that you desire.
4. Pour the lemon juice over the ice and fill the pitcher with water, add Canderel Xylitol and stir until nicely mixed in. Garnish with lemons/mint if desired.

No-Bake Milk Tart Recipe

Ingredients

• 200g gluten-free biscuits (unsweetened)
• 50g unsalted butter
• 1.2L milk
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 100g corn flour
• 100g Canderel Xylitol
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Grease a 23cm pie dish.
2. Crush the gluten-free biscuits to a fine crumb, add 50g melted butter and mix together. Press the biscuit mixture evenly into the pie dish. Place in fridge to cool whilst preparing the filling.
3. Place the milk, cinnamon and 50g butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove saucepan from the heat.
4. In a separate bowl, place the eggs, corn flour, Canderel Xylitol and vanilla. Whisk well until no lumps remain. Mix a little of the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture beating well. Pour this into the rest of the milk mixture. Return to the heat and bring back to the boil while whisking. Continue until the filling has thickened.

Pour into prepared biscuit base. Leave to cool. Refrigerate until set and ready to serve. Sprinkle cinnamon over the milk tart just before serving.

Compiled by Farrah Saville