I am making most of my Christmas gifts this year and wanted to include a tin of goodies to all my family members. My brother-in-law was recently diagnosed with diabetes so my normal goodies are out. I've seen some stuff on the web but wondered if any of you had tried and true recipes that would be appropriate that you could share. If you guys say it's good I trust you more then anywhere else! Thanks!
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
Chex mix? Something else more on the salty spectrum than sweet would be what I'd have in mind, but I'm not entirely sure that's the best alternative for a diabetic. If all else fails, ask his wife for some tips. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
No-sugar-added home-made strawberry jam is my dad's standard-- he gives out home-made canned goods to everyone at Christmas, and he always makes a special batch for the diabetics among the family and friends. However, I'm afraid it's a little late in the year for that...
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
What kind of goodies do you make?
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Use splenda instead of sugar. It works well in many recipes. I couldn't tell you which ones because I don't make desserts.
My uncle absolutely raves about his pumpkin pie made with splenda.
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
Ask if he can adjust his medication in order to eat sugary things, if he has a favorite goody that's carb-loaded. If he's carb counting, then the most important thing rather than less sugar is to let him know the nutrition facts, in particular carbohydrate content.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Lots of things that are supposedly for diabetics still have tons of carb. It's good to check if someone can eat something before you give it to them. On my diet I have to be very careful about carbs. Some diabetics can eat more than I can, but it's very common for people to bring me some sort of treat that they think I can have, but really it's a terrible temptation to me. I crave carbs all the time but can't eat more than a very small amount a day. So fruit, even if unsweetened, is nearly off-limits to me, also cookies, cakes, ice cream, candy bars, and so on that are artificially sweetened.
So if someone says no thanks, please don't think they're just being rude or being a pain. Everyone thinks "fruit is good for you" which is true for most people, but it just isn't true for me. If I weren't so horribly tempted I could say thanks and then give it to the birds or something, but I'm still working on being able to do that consistently.
(Disclaimer: Toretha, this does not mean I don't still remember that you owe me cookies. I definitely want my cookies! I promise I will eat them one bite a day.)
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
My mother just reminded me. I went home for Christmas last year and she had my favorite Christmas dessert: fudge! But my uncle had been there the week earlier and snuck most of the fudge. He's diabetic and usually more watchful about his diet. Anyway, I only got a couple pieces. So she's making fudge this year for me, well, for the family, but my uncle won't be there before I am. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Just make sure that the people who are going to consume the Splenda don't taste it like I (and apparently somewhere between 2 and 5 percent of other people) do-- it has an aftertaste of burnt plastic or rubber. Not even an aftertaste. Just a taste. Nasty.
Posted by dawnmaria (Member # 4142) on :
mackillian: I usually make haystacks- melt butterscotch morsels and mix in peanuts and those chinese noodle sticks that come in a can. And mini pecan pies, fudge, cocoons(like mexican wedding cookies), decorated cut out cookies and banana nut bread are my norms. This year I wanted to try divinity and I've gotted pretty good at shortbread cookies.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Splenda is a pretty good sweetener, so if your bro-in-law isn't like kq, in the ones where you can substitute Splenda for sugar, that might work.
Not sure about the carb thing, best ask his wife to try and get info from him.
My grandfather was diabetic and my grandmother used to make SO many of her goodies without sugar so he could eat 'em. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
You could also give out prettily repackaged nuts. Good quality nuts are yummy, healthy for diabetics, and don't need any sugar coating.
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
If he was diagnosed with Type 2 then definitely go the nuts and low-carb way. If he has Type 1, then just make sure that he is aware of how many carbs are in the goodies... it wouldn't hurt to make lower-sugar muffins or cookies in this case
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
I promise I will eat them one bite a day.)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)