Diabetic food for hamper

emay

Anyone got any good sites for getting diabetics goodies from (sweets, jams, etc)

I have new diabetics to buy for and they won't eat ANYTHING unless they know it totally 'safe', so I want to buy them a few treats.

s23xy_c

You can get diabetic chocolate in thortons
Something tells me you can get stuff in boots too but im not 100% sure on that.

Fen1

Generally, high quality food is much better than cheap stuff as they will contain fewer 'fillers' and chemicals. Chocolate is a good example - a number of high street chocolate retailers sell so-called diabetic chocolate. This stuff is crammed full of chemical sweeteners and flavourings. The last thing a diabetic needs is more nasties in their system. It is much much better - if they can control themselves - to give a 70% plus high grade dark chocolate which doesn't contain any sugar anyway.

Also, diabetics need to watch how much refined carbs they are eating, not just the obvious baddie, sugar. Refined carbs release their sugars quickly into the blood-stream, which is a no-no for diabetics. Very GI / GL diet. So obviously avoid standard sweet biscuits. Perhaps you could make a nice savoury hamper with specialist cheeses, pates, interesting nuts and sugar free oat-cakes? There are plenty of lovely delicatessen shops on the web who will go through your requirements for you. THese have a good reputation: http://www.thecheeseshed.com/

emay

Fen1 wrote: »

Also, diabetics need to watch how much refined carbs they are eating, not just the obvious baddie, sugar. Refined carbs release their sugars quickly into the blood-stream, which is a no-no for diabetics. Very GI / GL diet. So obviously avoid standard sweet biscuits. Perhaps you could make a nice savoury hamper with specialist cheeses, pates, interesting nuts and sugar free oat-cakes? There are plenty of lovely delicatessen shops on the web who will go through your requirements for you. THese have a good reputation: http://www.thecheeseshed.com/

Thanks for the site, it's for my boyfriends parents who despite however many times we try and tell them that, it doesn't have to say diabetic on the label, or they're entitled to a treat every once in a while, they still stick rigidly to the all sugar is bad, all fat is bad, all...you get the idea.

V_Chic_Chick

Thornton's do a good range of diabetic chocolates - my diabetic grandmother loves them. But steer clear of boots diabetic chocolate - it says on the pack that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects, but last time I checked half a small bar wasn't excessive! Also, St. Dalfour does a no added sugar jam. It comes in tall thin jars from the supermarket.

As for the all sugar and fat is bad thing, make sure that their blood sugar doesn't drop too low as my gran did once become very ill when her blood sugar dropped too low, which made her lose her appetite, only exacerbating the problem.

System

as a diabetic i aviod anything labelled as diabetic as its a rip off ! there are plenty of low sugar goodies available, most supermarkets do sugar free sweets , as for diabetic chocolate thorntons is no different, have a little and it has a HUGE laxative effect ,there is a warning on the back but its the last thing you thik of checking .someone bought them for me last xmas never again! i know sainsburys do a sugar free choc that is very nice.

zulubabe

I have to agree - I am diabetic too & avoid foods labelled as 'Diabetic' - its definitely better to get them a hamper with stuff like nuts etc as mentioned above rather than diabetic labelled stuff!

I've just searched diabete uk site and came across this which will help:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Guide_to_Diabetes_Archived_pages/Christmas-2007/Enjoying_yourself_at_Christmas/Christmas_hamper_ideas/

zulubabe

Maybe you could even include a membership to Diabetes uk for them?
https://supporter.diabetes.org.uk/onlinesupporter/donate.asp?id=57&smform=1