Valentine's Day Recipes With Diabetes

Key Takeaways

Simple diabetic Valentine’s treats include dark chocolate (70% cacao and above), frozen grapes, and baked pears or apples with cinnamon.
Some candy brands offer special diabetes-friendly sweets. If they’re not available locally, buy them online.
One of the best diabetic-friendly Valentine’s recipes is our Valentine’s Day Vanilla Custard (recipe below).

Valentine’s Day can be a time of temptation for people with diabetes. Sweet treats seem to be everywhere, and overindulgence can lead to blood sugar fluctuations. Consider the following diabetic Valentine ideas, tips, and recipes to make this Valentine’s Day the sweetest one ever.

Talk to Your Loved Ones

From convenience marts to department stores, there are a variety of colorful Valentine’s Day goodies to avoid. The good news is that there are plenty of diabetic Valentine’s treats to make the holiday fun and flavorful.

Resisting temptation can be difficult when well-meaning friends and family give you potentially dangerous treats. While talking to loved ones about diabetes can be tough, opening the lines of communication can benefit everyone involved.

Quick Tips

Request that your loved ones not buy candy or other sugary foods as gifts for you.
Explain your need to minimize your intake of such items to avoid blood sugar fluctuations.
Let them know there are fantastic sugar-free options, such as sugar-free candy and sugar-free cookies.
Suggest non-food Valentine’s gifts for diabetics, such as flowers, jewelry, or gift certificates.

Enjoy Diabetic Valentine’s Treats

If you do a little research, you might be surprised by how many diabetic-friendly Valentine’s recipes and goodies are available.

Quick Tips:

According to the American Diabetes Association, dark chocolate is a great choice as long as it’s 70% cacao or above. It’s great for your heart and packed with nutrients and antioxidants.
In addition to enjoying dark chocolate on its own, it can be melted and used as a dip for fruits.
Frozen grapes are delicious and easy to make.
Sprinkle cinnamon on sliced apples or pears to make a quick and satisfying dessert.
Some candy brands make diabetic Valentine’s treats. If you can’t find them locally, order them online.
Check the American Diabetes Association’s list of diabetes-friendly dessert recipes for more ideas.

Plan a Safe Valentine’s Day for Kids

As a parent or teacher, it’s important to come up with diabetic Valentine ideas that keep the kids feeling included and having fun.

Quick Tips:

Give out diabetes-friendly Valentines with small toys or fun school supplies, rather than candy.
Talk to your child’s teacher about having candy in the classroom.
Give your child sugar-free candies or healthy snacks such as trail mix to eat while the other kids are having regular candy.
Consider providing the teacher with diabetic Valentine’s treats in advance so your child doesn’t feel left out when the teacher hands out candies.

Focus on the Fun

Keep in mind the real reason for celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Quick Tips:

Focus on sharing time and love with the people you care about.
Plan a day that isn’t focused on food, such as ice skating, going to a movie, or cuddling by a cozy fire.
Consider the rule of one. If there is a platter of candy or cookies, have just one to satisfy your cravings.
Test your blood sugar throughout the day, and bring along insulin supplies if you leave home.

Prepare a Home-Cooked Meal

Plenty of diabetic Valentine’s treats will be appreciated by all. Making your own diabetic-friendly Valentine’s recipes gives you greater control over the level of sugar and carbohydrates in the food you serve. Show everyone how healthy food can be tasty!

Quick Tips:

Read nutritional labels carefully when planning diabetic Valentine ideas for your meal.
Serve steamed low-glycemic vegetables, lean meat or fish, and whole grains such as whole wheat pasta or multi-grain bread.
Add low-fat cheese for a dash of flavor.
Consider a simple and flavorful meal, such as broiled chicken topped with onions and a dash of red paprika, served with whole-grain rice.
Fresh or baked fruit is always a perfect option when you need diabetic Valentine’s treats for dessert.

Be Cautious With Alcohol

Use moderation when drinking alcohol, as it is empty calories.

Quick Tips:

Women with diabetes can have no more than 1 drink daily; men may have up to 2 drinks.
One drink refers to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1 ½ ounces of distilled spirits such as gin or vodka.
If you consume alcohol, drink it with a meal.
Consider beverages such as a white wine spritzer or a light beer to reduce calories.
Mix distilled spirits with water, seltzer, or diet soda, rather than sweet mixers and sodas.
Make your own drinkable diabetic Valentine’s treats, like a delicious cup of black chai tea, for example. Flavor it with a dash of ginger, cardamom, and vanilla.

Try This Diabetic-Friendly Valentine’s Recipe

If you want a low-calorie, decadent dessert without all the guilt, try this delicious vanilla custard:

Valentine’s Day Vanilla Custard

Ingredients:

1 quart 1% or 2% milk
6 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup of Equal Spoonful or 25 packets of Equal
¼ teaspoon salt
Sliced strawberries

Preparation:

Boil the milk in a saucepan, and let it cool for 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, salt, vanilla, and Equal, and then beat the mixture into the hot milk.
Pour the diabetic Valentine’s treat mixture into a 1 ½ quart glass casserole dish.
Place the casserole dish on a roasting pan with an inch of hot water.
Bake in a 325-degree oven for an hour.
Cool on a wire rack, and refrigerate for a few hours.
Top with sliced strawberries.

Shop Diabetes Essentials

Diabetic-friendly Valentine’s recipes can still cause spikes, so it’s important to have diabetic supplies accessible.

We have everything you need to enjoy a safe Valentine’s Day experience, including the least expensive glucose test strips, diabetes testing kits, CGM supplies, insulin syringes, diabetic pen needles, and so much more. Stock up now, and enjoy your diabetic Valentine’s treats!

Choose here: