Diabetes help

xbrenx

Don't panic - I'm not asking for medical help.

My mum is diabetic and is having problems finding sweet things to eat and drink.

She doesn't drink tea or coffee, she believed for ages that diet fizzy drinks were her friend but has recently been told, no. Basically, she needs something that gives a feeling of sweetness but is okay.
Same as puddings, can anyone advise what she can have?

Thank you

brook2jack

The big problem is that all of the "diabetic" sweets ,desserts,drinks etc contain artificial sweetners that can cause diarrohea and contain empty calories. the best thing is to follow advice on sugar etc from reputable diabetes organisations such as http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Food_and_recipes/Sugar-and-sweeteners/

donnac2558

Oh yes, I was actually total by the diabetic nurse to avoid diabetic sweets. Just eat a normal sweet now and then or Muller low fat yogurts as a treat.

nicolax

my mums diabetic and has also said the diabetic choc/sweets doesnt taste that nice either!

she'll have the odd chocolate or cake etc - she just keeps them to a minimum, rather than eating them too regularly.

although apparently there is some rather nice diabetic liquorice that can buy online, and also in shops - think its called panda? (ive tried it and must admit there is no taste difference!) if she likes liquorice at all?

Humphrey10

**** just lost my post twice. So very briefly:
- sugar free soft drinks don't raise blood sugar.
- non-nutritive sweeteners don't contain any calories 'empty' or otherwise.
- fruit is sweet, it contains sugars. Eat more veg less fruit.
- carbohydrates raise blood sugar. Don't eat too much, and slow release carbohydrates are better as they give your body more time to cope with them
- your mum should test her blood sugar
- your mum should see a proper diabetic clinic, not just a non-specialist GP and nurse. They will be far more knowledgable.
- if she's on metformin and getting stomach problems, she should ask her GP about slow release metformin, it's 'kinder' to the stomach

Crocswearer

Be careful with the Muller Light yogurts - they have around 18-20g carbohydrate, enough to affect the blood glucose levels. Diet yogurt would be better - usually around 7 - 11g CHO.

All fruit contains carbohydrate but berries are lower than others, so a few raspberries or strawberries can give a sweet satisfaction without affect blood glucose levels.

Diet hot chocolate sachets can also be useful - around 6g CHO each.

If your mum is good at self-control, I would suggest a bar of her favourite normal chocolate, but only have one square per day.

Diet drinks should be ok but neither the acid nor the sweetener are good in too high quantities so best limited to a can/glass per day.

If your mum is on diet only, or diet and tablets, you might find it difficult to get her referred to a hospital clinic. Diabetes.org.uk has lots of useful information, and diabetes.co.uk will have a forum suitable for you/your mum that might have more suggestions.

siaoeh

when I need a sweet fix I find I can usually get away with 2 dried apricots or 2 prunes or a dried fig each time, they may be packed full of fruit sugars but also high in fibre and that seem to help slow down the breakdown and my blood sugar doesn't rise much from it.

also if she likes dark chocolate, the darker the better, Aldi does some really nice an affordable ones. they are better than normal chocolate as there's lesser sugar and high cocoa content so a small square gives enough intense chocolatey goodness to satisfy the craving :-)

Eric_Pisch

brook2jack wrote: »

The big problem is that all of the "diabetic" sweets ,desserts,drinks etc contain artificial sweetners that can cause diarrohea and contain empty calories. the best thing is to follow advice on sugar etc from reputable diabetes organisations such as http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Food_and_recipes/Sugar-and-sweeteners/

good site

they have helped alot of people reveres diabetes with low carb diets

margaretclare

We don't use sugar at this house either.

Just a few suggestions: we like Perfectly Clear flavoured water, either fizzy or still, with no added sugar. We use Splenda sweetener. With this, you can make stewed apple, custard, any kind of stewed fruit.

I agree about so-called 'diabetic sweets'. These contain sorbitol which is a powerful laxative. DiabetesUK has lots of advice on its site and it does NOT endorse the use of 'diabetic sweets'.

How about Goji berries? Just in moderation, though.

quickstepqueen

I'm glad I've found this thread. My dad was diagnosed Type 2, 2 weeks ago. He sees the nurse next week for a proper appt. (The 1st appt was very rushed with little info and prior to that had just had a 2 page minimal detailed sheet sent in the post.)

I think he's doing really well considering he's had the same diet for the last 64 years and has now had to change so many things he eats. BUT he too is missing those sweet "treats", especially "afters".

To his credit I feel he is doing really well but he says he is always feeling so hungry and tonight we all got upset over it. I don't know what I can suggest to help quell those hunger pangs. It's heartbreaking to see him wanting food and for mum to keep telling him he can't have this or that. My Dad is not overweight and even the GP was shocked to discover he was diabetic (found in routine blood tests.) He takes Metformins and is checking his blood twice a day but I think he's expecting too much too soon. Can anyone suggest some healthy snacks/afters - not really fruit as he already has this after his lunch, and nothing too hard as he can't chew properly (lack of teeth!) I just want an alternative until he can speak to the nurse. (Does custard made with canderel taste ok? - bananas and custard perhaps?)

Once he's spoken to the nurse hopefully we'll all have a better understanding of how his blood sugars work in relation to his body and the food he puts into it. It's just been such a shock and everyone you meet who has diabetes seems to give conflicting info. I didn't even know that carbs can affect blood sugars (saw previous post). So after eating mash (using semi milk), veg and lean meat it's probably no surprise then that his sugars are up??

If we're not careful Dad's going to start avoiding food altogether as it's just such a minefield. I would rather he do what he can now (cut out sugar in drinks, on cereals, cakes & choc - which to his credit he has done) and then if he can't manage the rest so be it, until he can see the nurse for more info. If anyone can help it really would be appreciated.

PS Sorry about the long post but it's upsetting to see my dad so upset.

mustmakealist

Hi Quickstepqueen.

Everyone's blood sugars go up after they've eaten - it's perfectly normal. What a newly diagnosed diabetic will have to work out is the effect of meals on their blood sugar. It will take a little time to get used to a new way of thinking about food. One of the best bits of advice that I can give is that he finds out about any educational sessions that are run locally. There is often input from the dietitians as well as specialist nurse and possibly a podiatrist as well. Sometimes there are sessions about food and cooking and it might be possible that your mum might be able to go too - it's worth asking