Type 2 Diabetes Nutrition & Weight Loss Diabetes-Friendly Gift Baskets Safe and Delicious Edible Treats By Elizabeth Woolley Elizabeth Woolley Elizabeth Woolley is a patient advocate and writer who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 27, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Danielle Weiss, MD Medically reviewed by Danielle Weiss, MD LinkedIn Dr. Danielle Weiss is double board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology. She is the founder of the Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being in San Diego, California. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print A pretty basket overflowing with edible treats makes a lovely and welcome gift, but when the recipient has dietary restrictions because of diabetes assembling one can be challenging. For one thing, all too often so-called diabetes-friendly treats such as sugar-free candies and cookies contain artificial sweeteners, which many people with diabetes dislike or try to avoid. Burke / Triolo Productions / Photolibrary / Getty Images What's more, although it's possible to purchase pre-packaged gift baskets for people with diabetes, these tend to be filled not with treats but with solemn reminders of their condition—books about the disease, say, or products clearly labeled "safe for diabetes." None of this is to say it's impossible to find diabetes-friendly foods and beverages that are truly fun, delicious, and "normal." The trick is to think outside the box (or rather the basket) to find items that fit the bill. Best Snack Bars for People With Diabetes Dark Chocolate A delicious bar of dark chocolate, especially one that's organic or artisanal, makes a great addition to a diabetes-friendly gift basket. Studies show 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 in diabetes. How to choose: Look for dark chocolate that's labeled 75% cacao or more—with no added sugar, of course. Check the ingredients list for the amount of carbohydrates in the bar as well: people with diabetes should aim for about 45% of their calories from carbs. Can Dark Chocolate Really Add Years to Your Life? Gourmet Popcorn As a whole grain, popcorn is rich in fiber and low in carbohydrates—about 18 g of carbs per three-cup serving. How to choose: Best bets 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 prettily packaged in a festive bowl or decorative bag. Avoid kettle corn and other sweetened popcorn as they (obviously) contain sugar or other sweeteners. The Importance of Fiber in Managing Diabetes Fancy Fruit Fresh fruit can be a colorful and healthy addition to any gift basket. And despite the natural sugar in fruit (fructose), most people with diabetes can include it in their diet—and should, given that fruit is rich in fiber and other important nutrients and so is sanctioned by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as a key part of a diabetic meal plan. How to choose: Use two criteria: 1) fruits that are low in sugar as well as low on the glycemic index (an indication of the potential to raise blood glucose levels) and 2) those that also are hearty enough to travel well. Best bets include apples, pears, oranges, and other citrus fruits, peaches, apricots, and nectarines. Unusual varieties of any of these, or at least a mix of colors and shapes, can bring a basic basket of fruit to the level of a special gift. (Note that of all types of fruits, berries have the least amount of sugar but may be too delicate in a gift basket unless you're certain it will be unpacked and used by the recipient right away.) Leave These Out Tropical fruits—pineapple, pomegranates, mangoes, bananas, and fresh figs—are high in sugar, as are dried fruits. Coffee and Tea Both are available in a dizzying array of varieties from all over the world, so if your gift recipient is a caffeine connoisseur, it would be easy to put together a coffee and/or tea-themed basket that's packed with interesting whole beans, loose teas or tea bags, as well as cups, mugs, strainers, and other beverage brewing gear. Caffeine Caution There's evidence that for some people with diabetes, the impact of caffeine on insulin can result in higher or lower levels of sugar in the blood. Make sure the person you're creating a gift for can tolerate caffeine before settling on a coffee- or tea-themed basket. How to choose: The specific coffee or tea products you include in a gift basket will be a matter of taste (yours or, if you know the recipient well enough, his or hers). Do, however, steer clear of coffee or tea mixes that contain sugar. Best Beverages for Diabetes Nuts For someone with diabetes, nuts can be a godsend—rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and low in carbohydrates. In numerous studies, nuts have shown health benefits for all people. Almonds, in particular, have been found to help with weight loss, normalizing glucose levels, and lowering risk factors for cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes. How to choose. For all their health-worthiness, nuts are high in fat and calories and so portion-size is key to including them in any diet—even that of a person who doesn't have a chronic disease such as diabetes. One serving of nuts is about 1/4 of a cup or one small handful, and so portioning nuts into single serving sizes in decorative baggies can be a nice touch. Nuts that need to be shelled, such as pistachios, can make it difficult to wolf down. Unsalted nuts are always the healthier choice. Don't Eat These Foods If You Have Diabetes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! We know healthy eating is key to help manage diabetes, but that doesn't make it easy. Our free nutrition guide is here to help. Sign up and receive your free copy! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to 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.113.003131 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and carbs. Uthus E. Is popcorn a healthy snack? It can be! USDA Agricultural Research Service. American Diabetes Association. Fruits. 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 Mar 1;15(2): 98–105. doi:10.1089/met.2016.0066