Treats for Diabetics

Curry_Queen

I bought a load of sugar-free sweets somewhere online a few months ago (will see if I can find it as they were cheap) made by Simpkins. They came in a box full of little individual bags so I thought they'd be good for DS, and a healthier alternative to the crap he normally buys, but I was surprised to see it say on the packet that you shouldn't eat more than 5 sweets a day as they had a laxative effect :eek:

DS thought this was hilarious and gave his dad and his friends some without telling them :rotfl:

ladygrey_2

Diabetic treats in the shops always seem to taste too sweet IYKWIM

twink

my grandson has been diabetic since he was two and i agree with the healthy diet, my daughter was also advised not to buy special foods for diabetics, he is allowed a treat now and again and gets a proper pudding at school dinners about twice a week

RacyRed

katiepops wrote:

Don't waste your money on so-called 'diabetic foods' - they are more often than not worse for you than 'normal' stuff. The current medical advice regarding food for diabetics is that they eat a healthy diet - the same advice that EVERYONE is advised to follow - ie 5 portions of fruit/veg per day, lean meat, wholemeal bread etc etc etc - and cakes/puds/sweets etc occasionally as a treat.

Diabetic chocolate is full of sorbitol, which is a laxative. It's also full of fat and tastes absolutely disgusting and is a massive, expensive con.

EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!!!! That's the key!

Try making your shortbread with something like splenda, and investigate ways of using less sugar in the jam - though unless your relative is putting bucket loads of jam on his bread then it doesn't really matter too much, a thin spread of it isn't going to do any damage.

If you want to buy stuff suitable for diabetics, Weight Watchers make a sugar-free jam (and it's absolutely delicious), and there's also another brand, but I can't remember what it is. There are loads of sugar-free sweets on the market - Sula is one - lots of delicious flavours and about 85 p for a little box, or Aquadrops - and I know there are others.

Kate

Well said katiepops.

I think the Jams might be the fantastic St Dalfour range, HERE sweetened with natural fruit juices. They are gorgeous and come in sensible narrow jars so you can't get too much out at once

Maybe a really nice organic fruit and veg box with a few sweet additions would be a better option as a gift?

BTW, those Thornton diabetic chocolates? Be sure to give them to someone you hate

Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is usually ok, 70%+ etc.

elgar_2

Ok, I havent posted very often on here...so forgive the 'unpractised nature of this post'

I agree with Katiepops as it is advice given to diabetics that they are not on special diets, it is a focus on healthy eating and within that occasional treats are ok. Also agree on Diabetic foods as they tend to be expensive and nae very nice.
So perhaps consider looking at Diabetes UK site for receipes, as well as perhaps plainer cakes such as Maderia/fruit cakes as treat. Perhaps as also suggested try and treat with things other than food so that the food treat includes can be enjoyed more. The other useful advice is if really wants to have a sweet treat eating it after a meal will help in terms of sugar levels.
(survived writitng this post!!):undecided
Elaine (aka Elgar)

morganlefay

I'm diabetic, and I agree that you should avoid anything labelled 'for diabetics' for the reasons given above. Everything in moderation is fine for us to eat so why not make a gift basket of small amounts of really special things - like just 4 expensive but ordinary chocs, or a mango, or nice things you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. I'd like - say - some home made choc truffles, some homemade jam (made with less sugar than commercial ones) a mango, a bar of 70 %ish chocolate, perhaps some special cheese I wouldn't normally buy myself (I'd have roquefort) all of them labelled 'Mum's special Xmas treats, hands off anyone who isn't Mum' .