Making lifestyle changes–especially dietary–is a big component of any diabetes treatment plan. Your diet should be devoid of empty calories, trans and saturated fats, and most importantly, refined sugar. Because there is sugar in most sodas and drinks, people with diabetes are often advised to stick with water.
There are, however, some other options that you can indulge in with a few modifications when you are craving something with a little bit of taste.
1. Have chocolate milk
Low-fat milk and cocoa are not particularly problematic for those with diabetes. Reduced-fat chocolate milk is rich in calcium, protein, and tasty. Unfortunately, ready chocolate milk options contain too much sugar. The upside is that you only need low-fat milk, cocoa powder, and stevia or a sugar-free sweetener of your choice to make your own, diabetes-friendly chocolate milk.
2. Have yourself a cup of sweet tea
Do not go to Starbucks or buy ready, iced sweet tea because they are packed with sugar. However, if you steep your tea with pureed fruit, like blueberries or raspberries, your tea will have a natural sweetness and a fruity flavor. You may also add a little of your choice of sugar-free sweetener or even a drop or two of all-natural agave nectar, which is safest sweetener option after stevia as it has minimal impact on the blood sugar.
3. Sip some chai latte
Once again, you cannot have one at your typical coffee shop because they are often made with too much sugar, but you can your own diabetes-friendly one that is still zesty and creamy. Use low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk to steep your chai, add cinnamon, and add some sweetener if you like you chai latte sweet.
4. Enjoy a glass of lemonade
While you should avoid ready lemonade with added sugar, there is nothing wrong with making some old-fashioned, homemade lemonade with sugar-free sweetener instead of sugar.
5. Have guilt-free hot chocolate
Who doesn’t love hot chocolate? Just like chocolate milk, though, hot chocolate options that are widely available are filled with sugar. However, you can prepare your own hot chocolate with just a couple of squares of dark chocolate, 1 cup of low-fat milk, and a little bit of vanilla in a saucepan.
6. Make smoothies
Most stores and chains sell sugar-packed smoothies unless they are health store. So it is best to make your own smoothies with using some low-fat milk or unsweetened milk, ice, and fresh fruits like strawberries and banana. You can also go for greener versions and prepare green apple, spinach, and kale smoothies for additional health benefits.
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