By making smart choices, even people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can enjoy summertime sweets.

Homemade frozen yogurt

Adding sweet things like crushed cookies, gummy worms, or chopped candy bars to your froyo cup is often the best part. They're not healthy, especially for people with diabetes who have to be very careful about what they eat to keep their blood sugar levels in a safe range. Unfortunately, they add more than just a fun twist to dessert. The extra calories, carbs, fat, and sugar can quickly add up to unhealthy levels. "Diabetics can still enjoy a sweet treat once in a while if they keep their blood sugar under control." Melanie Matteo, MSRD, LD, CDE, a certified diabetes educator and registered dietician at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, says, "Try to keep portions small and carbs between 15 and 30 grams per serving." Instead, freeze Chobani's blended Greek yogurt, which comes in tastes like watermelon and kiwi that are only available during certain times of the year. About 13 grams of sugar, 12 grams of protein, and only 15 grams of carbs (the food group that raises blood sugar the most) are in each cup. Add healthy toppings like a handful of chopped nuts (they have healthy fats, fiber, and protein), a small square of crushed dark chocolate (it has antioxidants), or a sprinkle of sugar-free cocoa powder. You'll have a tasty snack that is also good for people with diabetes.

COURTESY JC'S

Pie pops

While making the tasty JC's Pie Pops, a bowl of Italian custard froze solid instead of setting. It turns out that these sweet treats are so good that even diabetics can eat them.This is the best choice because each JC's nudie has only 120 calories, 18 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of fat. If you eat a sweet treat, make sure to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels and how much sugar and carbs you're eating to make sure you don't overdo it the rest of the day or week.

Granita

Everyone should eat a healthy diet, but people with diabetes need to pay extra attention to this. Make your daily amount of fruit into a cool frozen treat to stay in control. "Use sugar, water, and pureed fruit like berries or melons to make granita." Mattheweo says, "You can always use less sugar than the recipe calls for or a sugar substitute instead."

Sugar-free Popsicles

All sugar-free foods aren’t necessarily a good choice for diabetics because they sometimes contain too many carbohydrates, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise. One sugar-free option that is safe, though, is Popsicle’s Sugar-free Ice Pops, which contain only four grams of carbs. Reminisce about your childhood with classic flavors like orange, cherry, and grape, or suck on tropical flavors like pineapple and fruit punch.

Low calorie ice cream

Some ice creams are advertised as low in calories, but they don't taste sweet or creamy enough to fill your craving. Halo Top is a business that does what it says it will do. At only 90 calories, the taste with the most sugar has three grams of fat, sixteen grams of carbs, and seven grams of sugar. There are also a lot of great tastes to choose from, like chocolate, vanilla, and fun ones like birthday cake and chocolate mocha chip.

DIY ice pops

This is a fun hack that can help teach young people with diabetes how to eat well and responsibly. Mix fresh or frozen fruit together and pour it into ice pop shapes to make your own popsicles. Chobani's Mixed Berry Frocho Pops are a frosty treat that is low in carbs, fat, and sugar and has a bit of creaminess thanks to the Greek yogurt and fresh fruit that are used.

Frozen yogurt ice cream sandwiches

Traditional ice cream sandwiches can have a lot of fat, sugar, and carbs, which can be bad for people with diabetes. But Yasso, which calls itself a "dessert with benefits," has new low-calorie ice cream sandwiches and frozen Greek yogurt pops in a lot of different flavors. The new ice cream pops are low in fat and sugar and have only 20 grams of carbs and 5 grams of protein. Mattheweo says, "Instead of just sugary treats, look for sweets that have extra health benefits like fiber, protein, or vitamins."

Fresh fruit

"I always tell people to eat fresh fruit," says Matteo. "But in the summer, when so many fruits are in season, it's even better." "It's naturally sweet and full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which helps keep blood sugar in check and manages weight." A bowl of berries or a slice of watermelon might not seem like dessert, but you can make an icy slushie with a few splashes of sparkling water. For a fun surprise, try Tickle Water, which comes in fun flavors like green apple and is packaged in cans that kids can open and pour themselves.

All-natural Popsicles

You don't want to worry about adding artificial tastes and colors to your food when you're already watching how many carbs and sugars you eat. The new Simply line from Popsicles uses only natural ingredients to give the pops a fresh taste and bright color. Each pop has 40 calories, 10 grams of carbs, and 9 grams of sugar. Try fruity tastes like strawberry banana and mango.

Lesson Summary

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can enjoy summertime sweets by making smart choices:

• Avoid adding excessive calories, carbs, fat, and sugar to desserts.
• Opt for treats with portions containing 15 to 30 grams of carbs.
• Consider frozen Chobani Greek yogurt with healthy toppings as a lower sugar treat option.

Additional diabetic-friendly summertime sweet options include:

• JC's Pie Pops containing only 18 grams of carbs per piece.
• Granita made with pureed fruit and less sugar.
• Sugar-free Popsicle's Ice Pops with just four grams of carbs.
• Halo Top's low-calorie ice cream with various flavors.
• DIY ice pops using fresh or frozen fruit for a healthier alternative.
• Yasso's low-calorie ice cream sandwiches and frozen Greek yogurt pops.

Other diabetic-friendly summer treats recommended by experts include:

• Fresh fruits for their natural sweetness, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• All-natural Popsicles with natural ingredients and fruity flavors.