Dessert is something that many seniors grew up with, while others began to appreciate a little ‘after-dinner indulgence’ in their later years. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a sweet treat, but if your aging loved one has diabetes or another medical condition that requires a low sugar diet, you may be looking for healthy, nutritious dessert ideas that provide the same great taste as their favourite cakes and cookies.
Here are four low sugar dessert ideas that are perfect for enjoying in the summer months. While these desserts are lower in sugar than most treats, they are still desserts, so we encourage moderation (particularly in diabetic seniors). If you have additional ideas to share with the Living Assistance Services community, please let us know in the comments on Facebook!
Chocolate almond cups
At first glance, you’d never know that this recipe contains zero added refined sugar—and the taste won’t disappoint! This bite-sized dessert is super easy to make and will remind seniors of visiting an old-fashioned chocolate shop. One or two chocolate peanut butter cups will be completely satisfying, making them a great choice for seniors who want to enjoy a small but sweet treat after a meal. Enjoy!
Reduced sugar oatmeal cookies
We love that this recipe has the same great flavour and chewy texture as regular oatmeal cookies with far less sugar content. Bake a batch for your aging relatives and see what they think—we bet they’d enjoy a fresh cookie with a glass or milk or a good cup of tea! You can even dunk them in coffee—we won’t judge. These cookies freeze well and the same chef has a delicious recipe for reduced sugar vanilla cupcakes, if you’re interested.
Sugar-free angel food cake with whipped cream and fresh berries
Angel food cake is often considered healthier than other baked goods because it’s low in fat, but a traditional angel food cake recipe is not low in sugar. Fortunately, there are many modified recipes that are well worth your time and effort. Try this simple recipe using a sugar alternative like Stevia—you probably won’t taste the difference! Top your sugar-free with fresh homemade whipped cream (again, use a sugar replacement or reduce the amount of real sugar, if using). Finish the dessert with a handful of blueberries and raspberries for a sweet yet nutritious element. This dessert is a summer classic that will remind seniors of a classic strawberry shortcake—yum! For additional sugar-free recipes from this source, please visit their website.
Chocolate peanut butter pie
While this layered dessert looks rich and decadent, the recipe takes out a lot of the sugary elements. It’s not necessarily light or low calories, but it’s delicious, satisfying and far less sugary than many standard desserts. The peanut butter and cream cheese add a bit of protein, and the chocolate peanut butter combo will appeal to all ages. Try it at your next family gathering! We bet you’ll receive plenty of compliments—don’t forget to enjoy a piece yourself!
There are plenty of other low sugar and sugar-free dessert recipes online including many in this excellent resource from Diabetes Canada and this extensive list from Eating Well. We hope these ideas inspire you to enjoy some healthy, delicious desserts with your senior family members. They’re sure to be a treat for everyone at the table—happy baking!