Indulge in This Healthy Banana Cream Tiramisu

Without intervention, it’s estimated that half of those with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes. Peter Dickinson, for example, who was then 63 when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, had a history of prediabetes — which results in higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) readings – but he was told there was no need to take immediate action. “On the basis of what I now know,” he says, “I was failing in all the important control areas, such as diet, exercise and stress management.”

Peter now walks regularly, manages his stress, and takes oral medications to keep his blood glucose levels in a healthy range. He maintains a balanced diet and eats meals at the same time each day, making the effort to discover new ways to indulge without unnecessary sugar. The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) online resource, www.diabetes.ca, provides tons of delicious recipes for anyone looking to maintain overall wellness, including this one for Banana Cream Tiramisu:

Ingredients

• 9- by 5-inch (2 L) loaf pan, lined with waxed paper

• 12 giant ladyfinger biscuits

• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, divided

• 1 cup lower-fat non-dairy whipped topping

• 1 cup prepared fat-free chocolate pudding, made with 1% milk

• 1 large banana

• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Arrange 6 ladyfingers in a single layer across the bottom of prepared loaf pan. Drizzle evenly with 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the maple syrup.

2. In a medium bowl, fold whipped topping into chocolate pudding.

3. Slice 2/3 banana and arrange in single layer over the ladyfingers. Spoon ½ of the pudding mixture over the banana and spread evenly. Wrap the remaining banana and set aside.

4. Arrange the remaining 6 ladyfingers in single layer over the pudding and drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp (15 mL) maple syrup over the ladyfingers. Dollop (or pipe) the rest of the pudding mixture onto the ladyfingers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or for up to 1 day.

5. Just before serving, slice the remaining banana and arrange decoratively down the center of tiramisu. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Tons of information available online at www. MyDiabetesCharter.ca.

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