Type 2 diabetes: The chocolate cake you CAN eat and avoid blood sugar spikes

TYPE 2 diabetes: If you have diabetes but are partial to a slice of cake or two, you may find it hard to resist indulging at a birthday party or celebration. But by choosing the right kind of ingredients, it is possible to still enjoy a slice of cake without causing huge spikes in blood sugar, such as this type of chocolate cake.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which a person has too much sugar in their blood. This can be dangerous, as if blood sugar remains high it can cause a whole host of medical problems with the heart, eyes, nerves, kidneys and feet. It is therefore vital for people with type 2 diabetes to take steps to lower the level of sugar in their blood in order to prevent complications from occurring. One way this can be achieved is by making certain dietary changes, most obviously cutting down on sugar.

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy chocolate cake as part of a healthy, balanced diet

Diabetes UK

In addition, it’s important to limit the amount of fat and calories you consume, as being overweight can increase the risk of complications.

This can be tricky when it comes to birthday parties and occasions where there is lots of unhealthy food on offer, but having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t ever enjoy a sweet treat.

As long as you eat in moderation and don’t overindulge, there are certain treats you can enjoy by looking for the right ingredients.

If you’re a fan of chocolate cake, instead of buying one for your next birthday party, try making your own using these ingredients:

Good-quality dark chocolate

Dark chocolate with a high cocoa solid content is lower in carbohydrates and higher in fibre than milk chocolate, making it a more suitable choice for diabetics.

Chocolate cake; woman eating chocolate cake

People with diabetes should limit the amount of sugar they consume (Image: Getty Images)

It is also richer than milk chocolate, so you won’t need as big a slice to satisfy your craving.

In addition, milk chocolate is higher in saturated fat than dark chocolate, although still be sure to eat it in moderation.

Ground almonds

Replace white flour with ground almonds or wholemeal flour, or use a mix of white four with wholemeal flour.

Wholemeal flour and ground almonds are a better source of fibre than white refined flour.

Dark chocolate cake

Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate (Image: Getty Images)

Cake with berries

Add fruit to the cake mix for natural sweetness (Image: Getty Images)


Add some fruit to your cake to limit the amount of chocolate and other unhealthy ingredients used to make the cake mix.

Berries go well with chocolate, as does mashed banana, or dried fruit like raisins and prunes which add extra fibre and provide natural sweetness.

“Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy chocolate cake as part of a healthy, balanced diet,” said Diabetes UK.

“Good-quality chocolate actually contains some beneficial antioxidants and phyto-nutrients but it should be eaten in moderation because it’s high in fat and sugar.”