Sweet Success: Delicious Diabetes-Friendly Treats That Support Faster Wound Healing

High blood sugar levels can be your wound’s worst enemy. For people living with diabetes, elevated glucose levels are particularly dangerous, damaging nerves and blood vessels while severely limiting your body’s natural healing abilities.

When blood sugar spikes, you might notice early warning signs like headaches, drowsiness, or trouble concentrating. While most people’s bodies naturally regulate blood sugar, those with diabetes often need medication to maintain healthy levels. Here’s what’s crucial to understand: wound healing essentially stops when blood sugar reaches 200 mg/dL or higher. This happens because high glucose reduces oxygen and nutrients in your bloodstream while compromising your immune system’s ability to repair damaged tissue.

Why Your A1C Matters for Healing

Your A1C score reflects your average blood glucose over the past 2-3 months. We recommend most people with diabetes aim for an A1C of 7.0% or lower, as higher levels significantly increase your risk of nerve damage, tissue complications, and delayed wound healing.

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• ½ cup unsalted melted butter (lukewarm)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup sugar-free crystal sweetener (½ cup white erythritol + ½ cup brown erythritol)
• ½ cup sugar-free chocolate chips
• ¼ tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8-inch square brownie pan with parchment paper.
2. Whisk eggs and vanilla in one bowl. In another, combine melted butter and sweetener until smooth.
3. Add eggs to butter mixture, then fold in cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, chocolate chips, and salt.
4. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top crackles and a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
5. Let brownies cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts (per square):

• Net Carbs: 8g
• Calories: ~120
• Protein: ~3g
• Sugar: 0g added sugar

Cinnamon Apple Protein Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (sugar-free)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 cup monk fruit sweetener
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 medium apple, peeled and diced small
• Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix applesauce, eggs, monk fruit sweetener, almond milk, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in diced apple.
5. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts (per muffin):

• Calories: 95
• Total Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 85mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 6g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Total Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 7g

Smart Sugar Substitutes We Recommend

• Monk Fruit Extract: Zero calories, zero blood sugar impact, and incredibly sweet – a little goes a long way.
• Stevia: Plant-based, low-calorie, and heat-stable for all your baking adventures.
• Erythritol: This sugar alcohol tastes remarkably similar to sugar with virtually no effect on blood glucose.
• Fresh Fruit Power: Mashed bananas, unsweetened applesauce, or pureed dates add natural sweetness plus beneficial nutrients.

You can find more information to help improve your overall health and well-being at our DiabetesWoundAwareness.com webpage. Ready to accelerate your healing? Request an appointment at one of our 600+ Wound Care Centers® nationwide. Our mission is simple: FIND. TREAT. HEAL.™ – and we’re here to help you achieve all three. No referral needed.