17 Smarter Dessert Recipes That Are Great for Everyone, Including People with Diabetes

It’s a myth that people with diabetes can’t eat dessert. According to Melinda Maryniuk, a certified diabetes educator and the director of care programs at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, “Nothing is really off limits. You have to watch your carbohydrates but can enjoy any dessert in moderation as long as you plan for it.”

The smart choice? Desserts that are less concentrated in carbs and sugar. Anything fruit-based is a great option because not only do you get more nutrients and fiber, but also your body technically absorbs the natural sugar in fruit more slowly. If you’re hosting guests with diabetes, try serving a dish with multiple components so they can DIY their own dessert based on their needs.

Lighter Chocolate Cinnamon Pudding

Skim milk, evaporated skim milk, and a touch of brown sugar keep this silky-smooth dessert on the healthier side.

A quick turn on the grill is a delicious, healthy way to bring out the flavor of stone fruit -- no sugar needed! Serve juicy, charred plums, peaches, and nectarines with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Simmer fresh apricots in a mixture of water, agave nectar, and orange zest, then give guests the option of topping with vanilla frozen yogurt.

Unsweetened applesauce keeps this decadent dessert low in sugar. Set up a sundae bar and let guests help themselves to toppings -- melted chocolate, vanilla frozen yogurt, toasted almonds, and shredded coconut.

Tahini, applesauce, and honey make a spectacular sauce for any fruit salad. Top with toasted coconut flakes for the perfect amount of crunch.

You only need four ingredients to put together these sugar-free, subtly sweet ice pops -- low-fat Greek yogurt, dates, cinnamon, and low-fat milk.

Jazz up plain low-fat yogurt with your favorite tropical fruit and nuts. We paired kiwis, mangos, and pineapples with toasted almonds, but any combination would be delicious!

A couple tablespoons of brown sugar and honey are the only sweeteners this delectable tart needs. Fresh blueberries and a creamy buttermilk-ricotta filling give it more than enough flavor.

This elegant three-ingredient dessert is an easy crowd pleaser. Sprinkle shaved cantaloupe with lime zest and juice and serve with honey on the side.

Dates, macadamia nuts, and oats make a scrumptious sugar-free base for fresh strawberries.

No sugar here! Just a touch of honey, along with oats, amaranth, macadamia nuts, and dried cherries and apricots.

Go for the gold by sprinkling pineapple with sugar and cinnamon and giving it a quick broil. It’s delicious as is or topped with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt -- let your guests take their pick.

All you need for this effortless no-churn ice cream is heavy cream, honey, and egg yolks. Serve with butter cookies or shortbread.