Treats for a diabetic?

**YankeeMom** · 09-19-2007, 04:45 PM

I have a friend whom I'm getting a care package together for. This friend is a diabetic, vegetarian with high blood pressure and a heart condition. I am stuck on food treats to send along.

Any suggestions?

ETA: This does NOT have to be frugal.

**ktsmama** · 09-19-2007, 05:01 PM

That's a hard one. My mom is diabetic and has high blood pressure, and we have a hard time finding snacks for her, too.

How about a fruit and nut mix with light or no salt. Sugar free candy or cookies might be something to think about.

What about sugar free jello and pudding packs?

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 09-19-2007, 05:09 PM

Peppermints, Butterscotch and other hard candies. There are several box candies that come in sugar-free that we get for grandma every year. She hords the box to make it go from hoilday to hoilday and each member of the family trades off Christmas, Valentine's, Easter, Mother's Day, etc. The company is Russell Stover I believe.

Laurie in Bradenton

**Neeley** · 09-19-2007, 05:42 PM

This person sounds like me. I am a diabetic, vegetarian who takes blood pressure medicine (but it is for my kidney disease) and I have bad triglycerides (and it is not from my food choices - it is all in my bad genes).

Sugar free candies are good but have been known to have a serious laxative effect on many people. I love to eat them but have to watch how many I have at a time.

I assume sending fresh fruit is out of the question.

Here are few things I snack on......
~Some dried fruits do not have added sugars and are good. I make my own trail mix with dried fruits and no salt added nuts.
~Nuts that are heart friendly are good also (almonds are a great one as long as there is no salt added).
~Gourmet type baked tortilla chips and low salt or homemade salsa.
~Wheat Thins and Triscuits
~Peanut butter balls made with natural peanut butter. Or a jar of freshly made natural peanut butter from one of the upscale grocerys stores. Around here we have a World Market and you can take the peanuts and grind them up in the store and make your own peanut butter in the store. Pretty much the same concept as the coffee bean grinders.
~Just about anything that uses whole grains, no added salts or sugars

What does she like to drink? Things like Crystal Light mixes, nice bag of flavored coffee or flavored teas. The flavored bottled waters are good, too.

If you want to take the time to look at the food labels to see if a snack is good choice, remember most nutritionist suggest that a diabetic limit their snack to 15-30 carb grams per snack (which is normally one to two servings). There are exceptions to this as it is just a rule of thumb my nutritionist drills in my head.

**nodmicks** · 09-19-2007, 05:53 PM

The really good 75% -85% dark chocolate. My favorite is Lindt (at target 2.99 a bar). It's very low in carbs, sugar and the flavnoids are good for the heart.

**YankeeMom** · 09-19-2007, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Neeley

This person sounds like me. I am a diabetic, vegetarian who takes blood pressure medicine (but it is for my kidney disease) and I have bad triglycerides (and it is not from my food choices - it is all in my bad genes).

Sugar free candies are good but have been known to have a serious laxative effect on many people. I love to eat them but have to watch how many I have at a time.

I assume sending fresh fruit is out of the question.

Here are few things I snack on......
~Some dried fruits do not have added sugars and are good. I make my own trail mix with dried fruits and no salt added nuts.
~Nuts that are heart friendly are good also (almonds are a great one as long as there is no salt added).
~Gourmet type baked tortilla chips and low salt or homemade salsa.
~Wheat Thins and Triscuits
~Peanut butter balls made with natural peanut butter. Or a jar of freshly made natural peanut butter from one of the upscale grocerys stores. Around here we have a World Market and you can take the peanuts and grind them up in the store and make your own peanut butter in the store. Pretty much the same concept as the coffee bean grinders.
~Just about anything that uses whole grains, no added salts or sugars

What does she like to drink? Things like Crystal Light mixes, nice bag of flavored coffee or flavored teas. The flavored bottled waters are good, too.

If you want to take the time to look at the food labels to see if a snack is good choice, remember most nutritionist suggest that a diabetic limit their snack to 15-30 carb grams per snack (which is normally one to two servings). There are exceptions to this as it is just a rule of thumb my nutritionist drills in my head.

Yes, she sounds just like you

Her illnesses are all genetic. She is a great & special person and I'd like to send her a little treat.

**Libby** · 09-19-2007, 07:09 PM

Being a diabetic as well with other health problems, I am still human and still do like my treats. In the end, its up to the receiver to moderate their intake, unless of course you know they cant stop themselves - in which event I'd skip the sweet treats altogether. But the thought is very kind.

Non food treats are always welcomed (at least in my case). As long as its something fun, or that I can use I have no problems with - my friends know Im trying to 'declutter' my life in every aspect. Books, stationary, scented candles, gift cards etc - but really no one needs to give treats/gifts right?

Food ideas? If you can make them - there are recipies using splenda for baked goods. Check the splenda site. I have made a few and the only difference is the texture/density of the baked goods. The taste is a bit off from the real thing as well but I am always able to taste diff btwn real and fake sugar - well 95% of time. If I cant - then its a great recipe! I agree with the sugar free or sweetened with whatever treats....all of the items I see down in the US have that warning: "eating more then 3 pcs/sitting can result in a laxative effect" makes you wonder whats in there?! If I am having a treat with real sugar, I just limit my portion - good thing I dont have a sweet tooth! (nothing with enriched, bleached white flour if you can help it)

I'd rather have something that tastes GREAT and very lil of it vs alot of something that tastes awful! What about things sweetened with natural sugars? Trader Joe treats anyone??? Those never really raised my blood sugar much.

Have you tried googling sugarfree treats/baked goods? Im curious to see what you come up with as your 'treat' portion of your care package