Simple buttercream icing is typically flavored with vanilla extract to add something beyond the sugar and butter flavors, but the vanilla extract can be omitted or substituted for a different flavor. You can still use the icing to top cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.

The glycemic index is a measurement scale from 1 to 100 that rates foods based on how they affect blood sugar. High-glycemic foods, which are 70 and higher on the scale, spike your blood sugar the fastest. Medium-glycemic foods range from 56 to 69, and low-glycemic foods are 55 and under.