Like most people, especially those of us who have diabetes, I have to watch my weight all the time. That’s why my favorite dessert is one that doesn’t have any carbohydrates and only 30 calories.
It’s simple to make with only four ingredients besides water. Another good thing about these ingredients is that since they aren’t perishable, I always have them on hand. All the tools you need are a bowl, a measuring cup, and measuring spoons, a stove, and a freezer.
The only problem with this snack or dessert is that it doesn’t give me instant gratification, since it has to set for an hour. But I consider that a small price to pay for something tasty and filling that won’t attack my waist or my blood glucose level.
Most of us know my favorite dessert in a related, high-calorie form. And some of us think of it as a cheap substitute for a real dessert.
In the form of Jell-O, that’s true. And my favorite dessert is certainly inexpensive, but tasty enough for my taste buds, which haven’t touched Jell-O for years.
I’m talking about the generic form, gelatin. I start with a 7 gram packet of unflavored gelatin that the local Kroger chain sells in a box of 32 envelopes. All of the gelatin’s calories come from protein.
I add the contents of the packet to 4 ounces of cold water and then add 4 packets of SweetLeaf Stevia from Wisdom Brands. This non-caloric sweetener recently won GRAS (generally recognized as safe) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Then in goes 1/8 teaspoon or a bit more of salt.
Meanwhile, I boil 8 ounces of water and add it to the gelatin along with 1/2 teaspoon or a bit more TrueLemon. Then I put it in my freezer for 55 minutes to an hour, when it’s ready to enjoy.
Vegetarians might want to use something besides gelatin, which is a protein derived from collagen. Alternatives are agar, seaweed, carrageenan, and konjac.
What are your favorite low-calorie and low-carb snacks and desserts?
This article is based on an earlier version of my article published by HealthCentral.
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Thanks for the recipe, I tried it the other day and really liked it! I discovered this recipe for protein ice cream a few days ago and I think I’ve made it every day since! http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/recipes/protein-ice-cream/
It’s fantastic! You should give it a try.