Gluten free diabetic Xmas

Doonhamer

I have a relation who is on a gluten free diet and is also a diabetic. Has anyone any ideas for some "thoughtful" Xmas food ideas? I'd like to give something that shows that we gave it a degree of thought and didn't just play safe with the usual tacky Xmas stuff.

We have already got something (non food) so it's just really a little extra thing that shows we care, and took time and effort.

I know they will appreciate it.

angelavdavis

Why don't you try your hand at baking some Christmas rolls using gluten free bread flour and putting a christmas tree design on the top? Most recipes contain less sugar than most supermarket loaves for example, but you can always experiment with the sugar?

You could then put the bread rolls into a basket, lined with a red linen napkin. I think it would make a lovely gift. Use a pastry cutter to make the design and, after brushing with milk, add pumpkin seeds or sunflower seats within the cutter shape so the tree shape is picked out.

Alternatively, if you can afford to spend more, why not make up a hamper of gluten free produce from the supermarket aisles? Most supermarkets have a specific free-from aisle these days?

Addiscomber

The recommended diet for diabetics these days is the mediterranean healthy eating plan that we are all supposed to follow (My DS2 has type 1). This means low sugar, preferably from fruit within the recipe rather than added, it doesn't have to be totally sugar free. Presumably you want this to be something that will keep for a few days? That could be tricky as most reduced sugar stuff needs to be frozen because it doesn't keep. I will try and remember to search through my diabetic recipe books tomorrow for ideas - the gluten free presumably means nothing with wheat derived ingredients? I know that one book has a recipe for mincemeat which only has the natural sugars of the fruits - it keeps for upto 2 weeks or else should be frozen. I just wonder what someone who has to avoid gluten would do with it, though.
PM me if it looks as though I have been distracted - quite likely in this madhouse

Doonhamer

I was looking in the gluten free section of my local Tesco and they have a few things. I was thinking along the lines of biscuits or crackers etc rather than cooking something myself. That certainly would not be appreciated!

I suppose I was wondering what sort of thing would be good for them to eat around Xmas without feeling that they were some sort of freak that had to eat something horrible while everyone else had port and stilton etc.

I've seen some dedicated shops on ebay but the delivery costs are high for just one or two things.

squeaky

Some of these threads might help:-

Healthy eating:
- 5 a day?
- Chocolate cake for diabetics
- Healthy eating for weight loss
- I have no idea what to cook!
- Iron rich recipes?
- Low cost meals
- Low fat vegetarian ideas please?
- Low salt diet
- No wheat
- Omg...all This Home Cooking Is Making Me Fat!!
- Nutritionaly good meals for the Freezer?
- Sausages
- Student cooking (and shopping)
- Sugar Free cake recipe
- Treats for diabetics?

morganlefay

I'm a Type 2 diabetic and have just had to start on insulin, though you have the added problem of gluten as well. What I always think is that I don't want anyone to do anything special for me, I just want to eat a smaller amount of whatever everyone else is having (minus most of the chocolates etc etc). Addiscomber is right about diabetics nowadays just eating a good 'normal' mediterranean type diet - it's all much easier and more relaxed than it was.
Are there some gluten-free recipes whihc would be nice enough for everyone to have them so your rellie doesn't feel like a leper, and doesn't have to keep explaining to the children etc why he/she is eating funny things ? Oh and many people now think that special 'Diabetic' products (jams, chocolate etc) are a waste of money and we'd be better off having a small amount of normal stuff - always looking at the sugar content to find the lowest. Beware of things which claim to be 'slimming' or 'lite' because mostly what they all focus on is being low-fat and some of them have horrendous sugar content. Hope you can find something nice !

ritaing

Hi, You might find something on the Glutafin or Juvella site or even on the coeliac site dont buy the shop things that cost the earth your relation may have some flour that you can use if they get free prescriptions they can get glutafin pastry mix which is very good.Rita.

Addiscomber

How about these? No REAL cooking required :j :j
You should be able to get small cases from a stationer if your supermarket doesn’t have them – they are called petit-four cases. I think my son would be absolutely thrilled if someone gave him his own, especially made, box of chocolates. (Makes, yet another, mental note to self … trouble is finding the opportunity when he is not likely to wander in unexpectedly from college and ruin the surprise)

Fruit and Nut Chocolates (from Cooking for diabetics, by Michelle Berriedale Johnson)

When beautifully boxed, these make perfect presents

Ingredients
Makes 20

50g/2oz ready-to-eat prunes or dried apricots
50g/2oz sultanas or raisins
25g/1oz ready-to-eat dried apples, figs or dates
25g/1oz flaked almonds
25g/1oz hazelnuts or walnuts
30-60ml/2-4 tbsp lemon juice
50g/2oz good-quality dark chocolate

Some foil, brushed with a little oil

1. Chop the fruit and nuts in a food processor or blender until fairly small. Add 30ml/2 tbsp lemon juice and process again to mix. Scrape the mixture into a bowl, taste and add more lemon juice if needed.
2. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Roll the fruit mixture into small balls. Using tongs or 2 forks, roll the balls in melted chocolate, then place them on oiled foil to cool and set. If the chocolate becomes too solid to work with , reheat it gently.


There is another recipe, for Date and Apple balls, which is slightly more complicated, but still not real cooking – it doesn’t need the oven I will try to post that later, I need to get off here now, the kitchen is calling me.

Addiscomber

Re the diabetic confectionary morganlefay refers to, it is not particularly pleasant to taste and the sweetener that is used in it still affects blood sugar control, but with the added side effect of acting as a laxative :mad: Definately best left in the shops.

As you mention crackers and Stilton, I did wonder about a cheese selection if there are gluten free crackers available. However if your relative should have a bit of a weight problem that would not be a good idea, as most cheese is full of fat, and diabetics have to keep as much of an eye on their weight as on the sugar..