Avoiding blood sugar spikes is the main goal of making any diabetic recipe, while still maintaining proper taste and texture. Making diabetic carrot cake can be helpful for those who are trying to keep their blood sugar under control, but still desire sweetness and desserts. The best tips for making a diabetic carrot cake are to choose alternative sweeteners, either natural or artificial, as well as different flours that will not raise blood sugar significantly to cause negative health effects. Also, using less carrots than called for in the recipe can be helpful, as carrots tend to raise blood sugar more rapidly than any other vegetable.
Making a carrot cake diabetic-friendly can be accomplished through removing the sugar from the original recipe and replacing it with an alternative sweetener. Artificial sweeteners, as well as natural sugar substitutes, usually contain zero calories and do not raise blood sugar significantly. Since most sugar substitutes contribute less bulk to the recipe than regular sugar, it is always important to add more flour or other ingredients to make up for the lack of volume sugar supplies. Adding yogurt to a diabetic carrot cake is a good way to make up for the lack of bulk.
Some diabetic cake recipes call for using alternative flours, as traditional wheat flours contain a high number of carbohydrates that can spike blood sugar very quickly. It isn't unusual for a diabetic carrot cake recipe to call for almond or coconut flour, as these flours are very low in carbohydrates and very high in protein. A low-carbohydrate flour, combined with a high protein and fiber content, has a slower effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. If using an alternative flour that has a high fiber content, such as coconut flour, it is always important to add more eggs and use less flour than called for, as the fibrous flour needs more liquid for hydration.
In a traditional carrot cake, cinnamon is often called for as the spice of choice when mixing and making the dessert. This can be helpful for a diabetic, as research has shown that cinnamon can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Adding cinnamon into the cake, as well as sprinkling it on top, can be good for those who like cinnamon and who also desire better blood sugar control. Using a frosting that contains a powdered sugar substitute is also advised for a diabetic carrot cake, as this helps decrease the likelihood of a blood sugar surge within the body.