Buying a gift basket for someone with diabetes can be tricky. A pretty basket overflowing with edible treats can be a lovely and welcome present for many of your loved ones, but if the recipient hasdietary restrictions to manage diabetes, you might need to consider your choice more carefully.
This article will go over how to put together a gift basket for someone with diabetes. You’ll also see examples of the best diabetes-friendly gift baskets that you can buy ready-made.
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Best Snack Bars for People With Diabetes
Choosing a “Diabetic Gift Basket”
Picking a so-called “diabetes-friendly” gift basket may seem like an easy way to choose a gift for someone with diabetes, but these premade baskets aren’t always the best solution. Some, for example, contain treats likesugar-free candiesand cookies made with artificial sweeteners, which some people with diabetes try to avoid.
Other pre-packaged gift baskets meant for people with diabetes can be somber reminders of the condition. These might include books about the disease or products that are clearly labeled “safe for diabetes.”
It’s not impossible to find diabetes-friendly foods and beverages that are fun, tasty, and not stigmatizing. The trick is to think creatively about what you might be able to put into your diabetes-friendly gift basket.
Dark Chocolate
A delicious bar ofdark chocolate, especially one that’s organic or artisanal, makes a great addition to a diabetes-friendly gift basket.Studies have shown that in small amounts, the cacao in dark chocolate may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure,insulin resistance, and vascular and platelet function—all of which are health concerns for people with diabetes.
How to ChooseA higher cocoa percentage generally means less added sugar.Note thesugarand carbohydrate content, being mindful of the person’s dietary goals.
How to Choose
A higher cocoa percentage generally means less added sugar.Note thesugarand carbohydrate content, being mindful of the person’s dietary goals.
Foods to Avoid If You Have Diabetes
Gourmet Popcorn
As awhole grain, popcorn is rich in fiber and low in carbohydrates.A 3-cup serving of air-popped popcorn has only about 18.6 grams of carbohydrates.
How to ChooseThe best bet for a diabetes-friendly gift basket is popcorn that’s been air-popped and flavored with olive oil and/or herbs. You may even be able to find a brand that’s divided into single servings and packed up nicely in a festive bowl or decorative bag.Avoid kettle corn and other sweetened popcorn as they contain sugar or other sweeteners.
The best bet for a diabetes-friendly gift basket is popcorn that’s been air-popped and flavored with olive oil and/or herbs. You may even be able to find a brand that’s divided into single servings and packed up nicely in a festive bowl or decorative bag.Avoid kettle corn and other sweetened popcorn as they contain sugar or other sweeteners.
The best bet for a diabetes-friendly gift basket is popcorn that’s been air-popped and flavored with olive oil and/or herbs. You may even be able to find a brand that’s divided into single servings and packed up nicely in a festive bowl or decorative bag.
Avoid kettle corn and other sweetened popcorn as they contain sugar or other sweeteners.
How Fiber Helps Manage Diabetes
Fancy Fruit
Freshfruitcan be a colorful and healthy addition to a gift basket for someone with diabetes. Despite the natural sugar in fruit (fructose), most people with diabetes can include it in their diet. In fact, it’s usually good to include because fruit is rich in fiber and other important nutrients.
How to ChooseUse two criteria to select fruits for a diabetes gift basket:Choose those that arelow in sugarand low on theglycemic index—an indication of the potential to raise blood glucose levels.Choose those that are hearty enough to travel well.
Use two criteria to select fruits for a diabetes gift basket:Choose those that arelow in sugarand low on theglycemic index—an indication of the potential to raise blood glucose levels.Choose those that are hearty enough to travel well.
Use two criteria to select fruits for a diabetes gift basket:
When you’re picking fruit for a diabetes gift basket, your best bets will be apples, pears, oranges and other citrus fruits, peaches, apricots, and nectarines. Unusual varieties of any of these or a mix of colors and shapes can bring a basic basket of fruit to the level of a special gift for someone with diabetes.
There are also some fruits to avoid if you’re making a diabetes-friendly fruit basket. Tropical fruits—pineapple, pomegranates, mangoes,bananas, and fresh figs—are high in sugar, as aredried fruits.
Which Fruits Can You Eat If You Have Diabetes?
Coffee and Tea
If your loved one withdiabetes drinks coffeeand tea, the beverages can be a great addition to a gift basket. They are available in a dizzying array of varieties from all over the world, so it will be easy to put together a coffee and/or tea-themed diabetes gift basket that’s packed with interesting whole beans, loose teas, and tea bags, as well as cups, mugs, strainers, and other beverage-brewing gear.
However, keep in mind that for some people with diabetes, there is evidence that the impact of caffeine on insulin can result in higher or lower levels of sugar in the blood.Make sure that the person you’re creating a gift for can tolerate caffeine before making a coffee- or tea-themed diabetes gift basket.
How to ChooseThebeveragesyou include in a diabetes gift basket will mostly be a matter of taste, but steer clear of coffee or tea mixes that contain sugar.
Thebeveragesyou include in a diabetes gift basket will mostly be a matter of taste, but steer clear of coffee or tea mixes that contain sugar.
Best Beverages for Diabetes
Nuts
Nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and low in carbohydrates. In numerous studies, nuts have shown health benefits for all people. If you’re putting together a gift basket for someone with diabetes, nuts can be a great anchor.
Almonds, in particular, have been found to help with weight loss, normalizing glucose levels, and loweringrisk factors for cardiovascular diseasein people with type 2 diabetes.
How to ChooseWhile they pack a healthful punch, nuts are also high in fat and calories. Portion size is key to including them in any diet—even for people without a chronic disease such as diabetes.
While they pack a healthful punch, nuts are also high in fat and calories. Portion size is key to including them in any diet—even for people without a chronic disease such as diabetes.
One serving of nuts is about 1/4 cup or one small handful. Portioning nuts into single serving sizes in decorative baggies can be a nice touch. Nuts that need to be shelled, such aspistachios, require a little more work to enjoy. Also, unsalted nuts are a healthier choice than salted versions.
10 Diabetes-Friendly Foods That Won’t Spike Your Blood Sugar Levels
Pre-Made Diabetes Gift Baskets
Pre-made baskets can be a good choice if you’re careful about selecting them. Even if a pre-made gift basket says it’s diabetes-friendly, it’s important to know your loved one’s specific needs and preferences. A ready-made diabetes gift basket might not be right for every person with diabetes.
If a basket contains treats made with artificial sweeteners, for example, make sure this is something the recipient can eat and enjoy.
Ready-made diabetes gift baskets can be purchased online. If you have a local store that makes gift baskets, they might be able to custom-create one for you that suits the needs and likes of your loved one with diabetes.
Here are a few examples of diabetes-friendly gift baskets that come pre-made:
If these or other pre-made options don’t quite fit the bill, you can remove items that don’t work and mix in some of your choosing.
Summary
The best diabetes gift baskets aren’t just those with diabetes-friendly foods and drinks, but the ones that have had a lot of thought put into them.
If you are trying to put together a gift basket for someone with diabetes, you’ll need to take their dietary needs into account. That said, don’t let diabetes diet needs limit your creativity. There are plenty of ways to make a diabetes-friendly gift basket with items like fruit, nuts, and coffee.
Frequently Asked QuestionsEach person with diabetes has different dietary needs and preferences. There are certain foods that tend to work well for a diabetes-friendly diet, like fresh fruit, nuts, and other snacks that are low in carbs and sugar like air-popped popcorn.People with diabetes need to avoid added sugars, which most candy is full of. It is possible to get candies that are sugar-free, though they are often made with sugar substitutes or sugar alcohols. You’ll have to find out what your loved one with diabetes prefers and can tolerate, as they may not want to have candy made with thesesugar alternatives.Alcohol is often high in carbohydrates and sugar. Each person with diabetes will have to talk to their care team about what types of alcohol, and how much, would be safe for them to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each person with diabetes has different dietary needs and preferences. There are certain foods that tend to work well for a diabetes-friendly diet, like fresh fruit, nuts, and other snacks that are low in carbs and sugar like air-popped popcorn.
People with diabetes need to avoid added sugars, which most candy is full of. It is possible to get candies that are sugar-free, though they are often made with sugar substitutes or sugar alcohols. You’ll have to find out what your loved one with diabetes prefers and can tolerate, as they may not want to have candy made with thesesugar alternatives.
Alcohol is often high in carbohydrates and sugar. Each person with diabetes will have to talk to their care team about what types of alcohol, and how much, would be safe for them to enjoy.
Can I Drink Alcohol If I Have Diabetes?
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Larsson SC.Coffee, tea, and cocoa and risk of stroke.Stroke. 2014;45:309-314. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.003131Chocolate Trading Co.What does cocoa percentage actually mean?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and carbs.Uthus E.Is popcorn a healthy snack? It can be!USDA Agricultural Research Service.FoodData Central.Snacks, popcorn, air-popped.American Diabetes Association.Fruit.Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr.2017;11(2):S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017Gulati S Misra A, Pandey RM.Effect of almond supplementation on glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indians in North India with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 24–week study.Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2017;15(2): 98–105. doi:10.1089/met.2016.0066American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Larsson SC.Coffee, tea, and cocoa and risk of stroke.Stroke. 2014;45:309-314. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.003131Chocolate Trading Co.What does cocoa percentage actually mean?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and carbs.Uthus E.Is popcorn a healthy snack? It can be!USDA Agricultural Research Service.FoodData Central.Snacks, popcorn, air-popped.American Diabetes Association.Fruit.Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr.2017;11(2):S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017Gulati S Misra A, Pandey RM.Effect of almond supplementation on glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indians in North India with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 24–week study.Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2017;15(2): 98–105. doi:10.1089/met.2016.0066American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Larsson SC.Coffee, tea, and cocoa and risk of stroke.Stroke. 2014;45:309-314. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.003131Chocolate Trading Co.What does cocoa percentage actually mean?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and carbs.Uthus E.Is popcorn a healthy snack? It can be!USDA Agricultural Research Service.FoodData Central.Snacks, popcorn, air-popped.American Diabetes Association.Fruit.Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr.2017;11(2):S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017Gulati S Misra A, Pandey RM.Effect of almond supplementation on glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indians in North India with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 24–week study.Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2017;15(2): 98–105. doi:10.1089/met.2016.0066American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
Larsson SC.Coffee, tea, and cocoa and risk of stroke.Stroke. 2014;45:309-314. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.003131
Chocolate Trading Co.What does cocoa percentage actually mean?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and carbs.
Uthus E.Is popcorn a healthy snack? It can be!USDA Agricultural Research Service.
FoodData Central.Snacks, popcorn, air-popped.
American Diabetes Association.Fruit.
Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr.2017;11(2):S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017
Gulati S Misra A, Pandey RM.Effect of almond supplementation on glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indians in North India with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 24–week study.Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2017;15(2): 98–105. doi:10.1089/met.2016.0066
American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
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