While there are some extra things to consider, ice cream can be included in a healthy meal pattern even if you have diabetes. It's best to eat ice cream in moderation and to choose an option with lower saturated fat, lower carbs and no or low added sugar.
The following are the best brands and flavors for those who have diabetes. Blue Bunny Ice Cream: This brand offers vanilla and chocolate options. Both contain 20 grams (g) of carbohydrates per ½-cup serving. Breyers Creamy Vanilla: This contains minimal fat and 17 g of total carbohydrates per ½ cup.
It is true that ice cream contains carbohydrates and can therefore have an impact on blood sugar. However, eating ice cream in moderate amounts may not necessarily cause a spike in blood sugar levels. One small scoop of ice cream once every 3 weeks should be a good treat for anyone managing diabetes.
Choose a smaller portion size.
It's OK to indulge in some ice cream from time to time, but be mindful of how much you're eating. A small scoop (about ½ cup) is generally a serving size for diabetics.
Despite what many naysayers will tell you, people with diabetes CAN (and do) eat ice cream. Sure, ice cream can't compete with, say, a salad when it comes to nutrition. That's OK — there's room in your eating plan to eat ice cream and other frozen treats if you so choose.
There's a myth about chocolate and diabetes. But you can eat chocolate, just in moderation and not too often. Try not to eat a lot in one go as it affects your blood sugar levels. If you snack on chocolate regularly it may start to increase your cholesterol levels and make it more difficult to manage your weight.
Yogurt is rich in nutrients and can be a healthy snack for people with diabetes. Greek and Icelandic yogurts offer the fewest carbohydrate, but other types of yogurt can still be okay if you're watching your blood sugar.
Your blood sugar stays normal
It is not so that a regular scoop of ice-cream could increase your blood sugar levels to some haywire. Eating ice cream in the night could increase your blood sugar levels, but can also keep it regulated if you have problems of low blood sugar.
Cheese can be included as part of a healthy, balanced diet if you have diabetes. However, people with diabetes should opt for cheeses that are low in saturated fat and sodium while high in protein. If you have diabetes, combine higher-GI foods with cheese to help regulate blood sugar and prevent spiking.
Target blood sugar levels differ for everyone, but generally speaking: if you monitor yourself at home – a normal target is 4-7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5-9mmol/l two hours after a meal. if you're tested every few months – a normal target is below 48mmol/mol (or 6.5% on the older measurement scale)
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
Can people with diabetes eat cakes? Yes, you can. Just think about your portion sizes and how often you have them – you could also try eating your desserts with some fruit, such as berries, to make them more filling and nutritious.
Try to eat more of the following: oats, pasta, rice (particularly basmati or brown varieties), wholemeal, granary and rye breads, wholegrain cereals (e.g. Shredded Wheat, Weetabix, Porridge, Branflakes), wholegrain crackers, fruit, vegetables and salad, beans and pulses e.g. lentils, butter beans, kidney beans.
Generally speaking, yes, it's OK to eat honey if you have diabetes. But you should consume it in moderation. Although honey has a lower glycemic index (GI) than table sugar, it still contains sugar. And any type of sugar will raise your blood glucose levels.
The Bottom Line
While there are some extra things to consider, ice cream can be included in a healthy meal pattern even if you have diabetes. It's best to eat ice cream in moderation and to choose an option with lower saturated fat, lower carbs and no or low added sugar.
A person with diabetes should include a variety of fresh, whole foods in their diet, such as nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized eating plan.
Diabetics must avoid all kinds of processed, preserved, canned foods, soft drinks, cola's, fruit juices, instant products, refined cereals products like maida, suji, biscuits, white bread. Simple sugars like sweets, sugar, glucose, artifical sweetners, High fructose corn syrup. Tubers like potato, tapioca.