Diabetics Rejoice!: Low Carb Pumpkin Spice Bagels (Gluten free, Sugar free)

Friday, September 15, 2017

Low Carb Pumpkin Spice Bagels (Gluten free, Sugar free)

Lately, I've been experimenting with low carb bagel recipes and landed on one I really like from the Low Carb Maven (click here for the recipe). It's good and chewy like a bagel should be but, because of its distinct cheese flavor (which is delicious!), I think it's best served with a savory spread, cream cheese or butter. In keeping with the season, this morning I had a craving for a pumpkin bagel, so I went to work. I needed to tone down the cheesy flavor with pumpkin and ramp up the spice, all while keeping the dense and chewy texture of a traditional bagel. This recipe definitely is a winner! I recommend splitting and toasting the bagel before serving for the best result. The slightly sweet cream cheese spread is the perfect companion that further draws attention to the pumpkin and warm spices. All you need to add is a cup of coffee or tea to enjoy a truly wonderful breakfast!

Low Carb Pumpkin Spice Bagels (Gluten free, Sugar free)

Makes 6 bagels

Bagel Dough:

1 1/2 cups almond flour

1/4 cup gluten free oat fiber (not oat flour, or sub coconut flour)

1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda (or 2 teaspoons baking powder)

2 tablespoons unflavored whey protein powder

2 tablespoons powdered erythritol (I used Swerve Confectioners)

1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

2 ounces full-fat cream cheese

1 large egg

1/4 cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine, no sugar added)

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread:

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons creamy almond butter (no sugar added)

1 tablespoon powdered erythritol

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. To make the bagels, whisk together the almond flour, oat fiber, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda (or baking powder), whey protein powder and 2 tablespoons erythritol in a medium bowl; set aside.

2. Place the mozzarella cheese and 2 ounces of cream cheese into a microwaveable safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and microwave again for 15-30 seconds. Pour the melted cheese mixture into the bowl of a food processor. Add the egg and 1/4 cup pumpkin puree and process until smooth. Add the dry ingredients all at once and process until a dough forms. It will be sticky. Scrape the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap or plate, shape into a thick log about 8-inches long and place into the freezer to cool briefly for easier handling.

3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit with the rack in the middle of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

4. When the oven is preheated, remove the bagel dough from the freezer and divide into six equal pieces. Lightly oil hands and roll each portion into a snake shape, form into a ring and pinch together the ends to seal. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until nicely browned. Let the bagels cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. To enjoy, split and toast the bagels before serving.

5. To make the cream cheese spread: Place all of the spread ingredients into a medium bowl and whip with a hand mixer until well combined and fluffy. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Makes about 1 cup. Serving size is 2 tablespoons.

Nutritional Information per bagel (based on 6 per recipe, no topping): 268 calories, 13.5 g carbohydrates (8 g dietary fiber, 1.8 g sugars, 5 g sugar alcohols), 21.3 g total fat (6.7 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 53 mg cholesterol, 381 mg sodium, 215.4 mg calcium, 243 mg potassium, 1868 mg Vit A, 1 mg iron, 14 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 5.5 grams

Nutritional Information Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread (2 TB serving): 126 calories, 2.1 g carbohydrates (0.6 g dietary fiber, 0.9 g sugars, 1.9 g sugar alcohols), 12.1 g total fat (6.7 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 37 mg cholesterol, 85 mg sodium, 22.1 mg calcium, 9 mg potassium, 722 mg Vit A, 1.9 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 1.5 grams.

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More about my experience with Type 2 diabetes:

After experiencing gestational diabetes while pregnant in 1988, it wasn't long before a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes was made, and then, much later, I was correctly diagnosed with autoimmune Type 1.5 (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults, also known as LADA).

Like many people newly diagnosed, I had to read and learn what diabetes was all about. I did everything my doctor told me to do, took my medication exactly as prescribed, began to exercise more, I consulted with a diabetic nutritionist, I changed my carb-loving lifestyle to within the dietary guideline of my nutritionist and lost some weight. For many years, following the advice of the experts, I managed the disease fairly well. Yet, it concerned me that my need for medication continued to rise steadily, but I was told by my doctor that diabetes is a progressive disease and that what I was experiencing was normal. In a few years of trying diet change, exercise and oral medication alone, I was prescribed insulin to go along with the oral meds. My blood sugars stabilized, but my need for more and more insulin over time to manage good control continued to go slowly and steadily upward, along with my weight. With the larger and larger amounts of insulin (the fat storage hormone), it didn’t take long for me to become obese! I was not pleased because at the rate my need for meds was growing, it appeared that it wouldn't be long before my condition would be too difficult to control.

Finally, I said "enough!" Something had to change! I read The Diet Cure by Julia Ross and began a diet overhaul unlike anything ever suggested by my diabetic team. Two other books I highly recommend are The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman for a T2 diabetic and Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution by Dr. Richard Bernstein for a T1 or any diabetic on insulin. I cut out all white starches and grains from my diet and went 100% sugar free. (No expert had ever suggested I look at the sugar grams in the foods I ate before and I was shocked to discover large amounts hidden in most processed foods, even items not meant to be sweet!) I began to eat mainly fresh vegetables, very small amounts of fruit and only when it's in season (I love summer berries!), plenty of healthy fats and a moderate amount of high-quality protein. I now follow a Ketogenic diet which allows about 20-30 grams of good carbs per day, mainly in the form of non-starchy vegetables. I don't go out often but, when I do, I go to a restaurant where I know I can eat within my diet. By living this lifestyle, I lost over 65 pounds but, more than that, my need for medication grew less and less. I now need only very small amounts of insulin at meals and 4 units of long-acting insulin at bedtime (down from over 25 units when I was eating higher carb). The best part is that I’ve been able to stop all other oral prescription medications, as well! My blood glucose is always steady, in a normal range and hardly ever goes above 100 mg/dl. My A1c is consistently 4.9 or lower. These excellent health outcomes keep me motivated to stick with a keto lifestyle, plus I really enjoy the food!

I am now at my ideal weight and have kept it steady for over six years. My cravings for carbohydrates and my voracious "sweet tooth" are well controlled. I am motivated to cook and have made cooking healthy my #1 hobby. I'm excited about incorporating the alternative flours into my baking so I can occasionally still enjoy a dessert or bread product in my diet. The outlook of managing my diabetes and the future of my health is extremely positive.

If you're reading this and dealing with similar issues, take heart! You can make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle to share in this positive outlook, too. Just take it one day at a time, be good to yourself, and do not depend solely on medication. I had to face the fact: There is no "magic pill" out there! Instead, I needed to commit to eating well to heal myself from within. Remember, it's your future and your health; no one can do this for you! You owe it to yourself and your loved ones!

Friday, September 15, 2017

Low Carb Pumpkin Spice Bagels (Gluten free, Sugar free)

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Diabetics Rejoice!