In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow Ice Cream May Affect Your Blood Sugar LevelsCan You Eat Ice Cream If You Have Diabetes?Choosing the Best Ice Cream for DiabetesTips to Include Ice Cream in a Healthy Diabetes-Appropriate DietFAQs
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
How Ice Cream May Affect Your Blood Sugar Levels
Can You Eat Ice Cream If You Have Diabetes?
Choosing the Best Ice Cream for Diabetes
Tips to Include Ice Cream in a Healthy Diabetes-Appropriate Diet
FAQs
Ice cream is a delicious treat that many people like to enjoy after a meal, but if you have diabetes, you may wonder if you should avoid it. People with diabetes are advised to limit sweets like ice cream to help keepblood sugar levels in a healthy range. But cutting out all sweets usually isn’t feasible.
Diabetes is a very common condition in the United States. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, over 37 million people live with diabetes, and nearly 100 million Americans have prediabetes. While people with diabetes need to watch their sugar and carbohydrate intake, there is still a safe and healthy way to enjoy ice cream.
Pictured Recipe:Pink Lemonade Nice Cream
Eating carbohydrate-rich foods, like ice cream, can be challenging for people with diabetes because these foods can cause blood sugar spikes. Carbs are broken down into glucose, or sugar, in your body, and normally the hormone insulin keeps blood sugar levels healthy.
People with type 2 diabetes become “resistant” to their insulin’s effects. Over time, high blood sugar can cause damage to the body. According to theCDC, diabetes-related complications include heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease and vision problems.
Eating too many simple carbs and too much added sugar isn’t healthy for anyone. And it’s especially important for people with diabetes to focus on eatingcomplex carbohydratesthat include higher levels of fiber, vitamins and minerals. While foods with simple added sugars, like ice cream, can still be enjoyed occasionally, choosing them thoughtfully can help with blood sugar management.
Can People with Diabetes Consume Sugar?
If you have diabetes, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing ice cream. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have a stroke or develop heart disease than those without diabetes, per theCDC. Making healthy lifestyle changes, including eating in ways that help you maintain stable blood sugar levels, can help. Here’s what to consider:
What to Look For
Choose an ice cream lower in added sugar and carbs, since these impact blood sugar. Some brands sweeten their products with nonnutritive sweeteners, like erythritol, monk fruit or stevia. While these alternative sweeteners won’t raise your blood sugar levels like regular sugar does, they can cause digestive issues in some people—so keep that in mind. Another good idea is to choose ice cream with additions like nuts, which are rich in protein, fiber and healthy fats, all of which can slow down the absorption time andreduce blood sugar spikes.
Ourdiabetes-appropriate nutrition parametersfor desserts recommend sticking to a serving size with under 225 calories and no more than 2 grams of saturated fat, 360 milligrams of sodium and 30 grams of carbohydrates. However, since ice cream is higher in saturated fat, you can look for one with 3 grams or less per serving.
What to Limit
Limit ice cream flavors with extra sources of added sugar, such as caramel and marshmallows. But if salted caramel is one of your favorite flavors, stick to a small size.
The 5 Best Ice Cream Brands for Diabetes
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you need to focus on lower-carb and low-added-sugar foods, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up ice cream. Here are some dietitian-approved tips for including ice cream in a diabetes-appropriate diet:
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.
It’s important to remember that a healthy eating pattern is also an enjoyable eating pattern. Fish says, “Cutting out all desserts (including ice cream) could lead to actually craving more desserts and possibly bingeing.” If you love ice cream, it’s OK to enjoy a bowl every now and then. Eat adiet that is good for diabetesand follow other recommendations from your doctor, like getting enough exercise and sleep.
Can You Eat Chocolate If You Have Diabetes?
Frequently Asked QuestionsSticking to a ½-cup portion size and eating it soon after a meal is a smart way of including ice cream in your diet.Look for ice cream with fewer calories, less saturated fat and carbs, and no or low added sugars.Having an occasional ice cream sandwich is OK if you have diabetes. However, check the nutrition labels to make sure you choose a healthier option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sticking to a ½-cup portion size and eating it soon after a meal is a smart way of including ice cream in your diet.
Look for ice cream with fewer calories, less saturated fat and carbs, and no or low added sugars.
Having an occasional ice cream sandwich is OK if you have diabetes. However, check the nutrition labels to make sure you choose a healthier option.
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