Best Desserts for Diabetes? Low Carb Ice Cream Is an Option!

When it comes to managing your blood sugars, it can be helpful to incorporate lower sugar varieties of the foods you like. Low carb ice cream may use artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and/or fiber to lower the total carbohydrate of the product. These products may have less of an impact on your blood sugar response.

However, and that’s a big HOWEVER, you do not NEED to rely on low carb and keto products to manage your blood sugar. I am a huge proponent for incorporating fun foods that you truly enjoy. These low carb dessert products are not for everyone. Some people don’t enjoy the taste. Some people have digestive issues after consuming too much sugar alcohols or added fiber. 

If you want to enjoy the ice cream that you really like, there are ways to enjoy it without sending your blood sugar soaring. And that also includes any of your other favorite desserts and fun foods. Ice cream in general can contain a decent amount of sugar, but it also contains protein and fat that may have lessen the impact on your blood sugar.

Protein, fat, and fiber can really help reduce the spike of your blood sugar after a meal. If you enjoy a balanced meal prior to the dessert, your blood sugar will likely be ok. You could even lower the carbohydrate of that meal and use your dessert option as your carbohydrate choice. For example, maybe you have salmon with roasted broccoli and a side salad. Then afterwards, you enjoy that ice cream of slice of cake that you’ve been craving. The protein in the salmon and the fiber in the broccoli and salad will help lessen the effect of the sugar in the dessert. 

Low Carb Ice Cream Brands to Try

So I’ve gotten down from my soap box about how you can enjoy all foods and still manage your blood sugars. But if you want to know about some brands that are lower in carbohydrate, I’ve got you. I went over to my local Wegmans and grabbed up a bunch of options to taste test and give you my honest feedback. 

Cado Avocado Frozen Dessert 

Ok, this one technically isn’t “low carb” like the others. But dang, for a dairy free option, this stuff is delicious. Because it’s not “low carb” it does not contain any artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, or added fiber, so this can be a decent option for anyone looking to avoid those ingredients. For a 1/2 cup serving, it has 18 grams of carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 12 g sugar. A regular ice cream may be around 30 grams of carbohydrate and 20+ grams of sugar per serving. 

Enlightened French Ice Cream “Keto Friendly”

This was another that I enjoyed and I think it was mostly because of the swirl of peanut butter and the chunks of brownie.  Enlightened has options that are considered “keto friendly”, and others that are “light ice cream” which we’ll talk about next. For a 1/2 cup serving, it is 13 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fiber, 1 grams sugar, and 9 grams of sugar alcohol.

Nick’s Swedish-Style Light Ice Cream

I had high hopes for Nick’s but I did find it to have more of an artificial taste than some of the others. It’s not bad though. For a 2/3 cup serving, it is 25 grams of carbohydrate, 9 grams of fiber, <1 gram sugar, and 6 grams of sugar alcohol.

Kind Frozen Plant Based Treat Bar

I just snapped a photo of the box while I was at the store because I have bought these many times and enjoyed them thoroughly. They remind me of those ice cream snickers bars. They are quite tasty! Each bar is 16 grams of carbohydrate, 7 grams of fiber, 8 grams sugar, and 0 grams of sugar alcohol.

There are many low carb dessert options out there and is certainly not limited to this list. Find what you enjoy, and if you’d rather have the regular carb option, that’s ok too. Regardless of the dessert option, try to incorporate fun foods after a balanced meal and be mindful of the portion. You can manage your blood sugars and still enjoy the foods you love. 

More on Blood Sugar Management

Check out more of our blogs for diabetes:

Best Protein Bars for Diabetes? Our Favorites and How to Choose!