Low carb and diabetic recipes for baked goods such as breads and rolls can be tricky for carb and sugar counters because many recipes, even those advertised as diabetic-friendly, still contain refined sugars and white flour. How can you cut the carbs and sugar while retaining flavor? The first step is to find recipes that use whole grains instead of white flour. White flour can raise blood sugar as much as sugar itself, so whole grain flour is an excellent choice. Getting used to the texture and flavor of whole grain flour takes a while for some diners, but others hardly notice the difference.

The second step in low carb recipes and diabetic recipes is to beware of key ingredients which are labeled "reduced fat". It's important to become a label reader when you get started with diabetic recipes. Some reduced fat products have a higher sugar count; a tactic sometimes used to "even out" the product for consistency or for flavor. Reduced fat sour cream, yogurt and other products may not be as good for your blood sugar as they are for your heart. The key is to find a happy medium between low fats and low sugar content.

In baking you may be able to substitute some or all sugar for something else. Some people swear by sucralose, but an insulin-dependent diabetic may not be able to handle this product. Much depends on the individual needs of the diner. Before baking with a diabetic recipe, it's a good idea to check with those you are baking for to make sure your chosen sugar substitute is acceptable. If you swap sugar for sucralose, consider that even a tablespoon of sugar can sometimes make certain baked goods softer, fluffier and less dense. It may make sense to use just enough to add texture if your diners can handle it safely.

You can also throw in extra egg white for better texture in some diabetic recipes for muffins or cakes. Some bakers use agave nectar instead of sugar or sugar replacements like sucralose. Agave nectar is a natural sweetener like honey, except it has a much lower glycemic index. If you experiment with healthy recipes using agave nectar, use about a quarter cup of nectar to replace a cup of sugar.

Next: Cooking with Low Fat Recipes

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