As we all know, diabetes results from high blood sugar levels. Hence, a correct diet with low sugar content is what should be made a part of the diet for patients with diabetes. Diabetics can enjoy some selective alternatives to their favorite desserts. Desserts made from apples are the best options for them. Since apples are rich in vitamin and fiber content, consuming apples regularly helps to reduce blood cholesterol, which is one of the common health complications associated with diabetes. Here are some delicious and healthy apple dessert recipes for diabetics. Ingredients (Serves 5)

• 6 cups diced and pared tart apples
• 4 tablespoons of artificial sweetener
• 9-inch pastry for double-crust pie
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 2 tablespoons low-fat margarine

Procedure Prepare a mixture of sweetener, cornstarch and cinnamon. Sprinkle it over the diced apples coating it completely. Spread this apple mixture into the unbaked pie crust. Add the full quantity of margarine on top of the mixture. Cover it with the other portion of the crust and seal the edges well. Bake at 425° F for 15 minutes and then reduce the temperature to 350° F. Continue baking for an additional 35 - 40 minutes. Serve it hot with coffee or cool it in the refrigerator. Ingredients (Serves 4)

• ½ cup dried strawberries
• 1½ cups apples, skinned and finely diced
• 3½ cups skimmed milk
• 1 tablespoon canola oil or butter
• 1½ cups apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 pinch of salt
• ½ cup Arborio rice
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar blend and packed
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Procedure In a bowl, take dried strawberries and add boiling water. Set it aside for 30 - 40 minutes to soak. By the side, heat milk, pinch of salt and cinnamon stick over a stove or in the microwave until steaming hot but do not let it boil. Remove from the stove top and keep it aside to rest, so that the flavors blend with each other properly. Keep a Dutch oven or a deep sauté pan over a medium flame, and add butter or oil. Add the diced apples and cook it until soft, this will take 1 - 2 minutes. Now put in the rice while stirring continuously. Add ¾ cup of apple cider and cook till most of the liquid evaporates. Now add the remaining quantity of the cider and cook till slightly dry. Fold the rice gently in the brown sugar. Pour in ½ cup of warm milk mixture (which you had set aside) and cook for 2 - 3 minutes until most of the milk is absorbed. Do not mix briskly or the rice will break. Repeat the above procedure with ½ cup of milk at a time until the rice is tender and the risotto has a creamy consistency. At the end remove the pan from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick. Drain the water from the soaked strawberries and then gently stir it into the risotto along with the vanilla extract. Cool it for 10 minutes before serving warm. Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 4 cups peeled and sliced apple
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup sugar substitute
• Allspice and mace as per taste

Topping

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup oatmeal
• ¼ cup margarine
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Procedure In a mixing bowl, combine together the ingredients - apple, flour, sugar substitute, cinnamon, allspice and mace - in order to make an apple filling. Toss well and transfer it on a 9-inch square cake pan. Meanwhile preheat the oven at 400° F. In another bowl, mix well the topping ingredients - flour, oatmeal, margarine, cinnamon and baking soda. Add this on top of the apple filling. Bake at 400° F for about 15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 325° F for another 14 - 50 minutes or till the topping turns light brown. It tastes better when served warm. Ingredients (Serves 7)

• 3 cups peeled and sliced apple
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ cup sugar substitute
• ¼ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)

Procedure Preheat the oven at 350° F. First of all, combine together the following ingredients - apple, cranberry and 1 cup sugar substitute. Transfer this mixture into the greased 10-inch pie plate and keep it aside. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, pecans, remaining ½ cup sugar substitute and melted butter. Blend it well and spread over the apple and cranberry mixture. Bake it in the preheated oven for about 55 - 60 minutes. Serve warm with dried fruits. Ingredients (Serves 7)

• 3 cups peeled and sliced apples
• ⅓ cup peanut butter chips
• 1 cup sugar substitute
• ½ cup white all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cooking rolled oats
• ¼ cup margarine
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Procedure Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly spray a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the following ingredients - apple, peanut butter chips and 2 tablespoons flour. Transfer this mixture into the baking pan. Take another bowl and combine oats, sugar substitute, remaining flour, margarine and cinnamon. Mix the ingredients well and add it on top of the apple layer. Bake for about 45 - 50 minutes, until the apple slices turn tender and soft. Remove and serve warm. Instead of a sugar substitute, you can use applesauce. Also, make sure that the margarine is free of skim milk and trans fats. You can prepare different apple dessert recipes by substituting the ingredients. Apple crisp recipe prepared with chocolate chips also tastes good.