Diabetes and "Free Foods"

There are many foods you can eat that won't have much effect on raising the blood sugar of a person with diabetes...

Although a person might be on a diabetic diet there are certain foods that you can eat that are considered to be "free foods" when menus are planned.  Free foods are any foods or drinks that contain 20 calories or less.   You can theoretically eat as much of these items as you wish, as long as it doesn't have a serving size specified.  You can eat two or three servings of the foods that have a serving size listed.  These foods can become very important when trying to stick to a meal plan.

Sugar-free gelatin is one staple you should try to keep in your cupboard.  Jello (one brand) can be one of the best foods to eat when someone is hungry in-between meals.  Make the largest bowl of sugar-free gelatin as you can and keep it in the refrigerator.  When there's an urge to eat
in-between meals or after you've had your bedtime snack, have a cup of two of sugar-free gelatin.  It won't taste the same as that cookie you wanted but it will fill you up.  You can also freeze it and make a nice cool snack.   One more great "free food" are frozen pops.  There are many sugar-free pops on the market (20 calories or less)

Knowing about these "free foods" can help get someone through  those tough times when people get hungry, but it's not time to eat a meal.

DON'T USE FREE FOODS WHEN EXERCISING

Don't use these free foods as snacks when exercising if you are  taking insulin or oral medications to help control your diabetes.  They won't raise the blood sugar enough to treat an insulin
reaction.  Instead, carry some type of quick acting carbohydrate (an crackers, apple juice, small tube of cake icing, etc...)  Again, free foods should NOT be used to treat an insulin reaction.

Too much of anything can get boring, so try to eat a variety of free foods.  Also, do tests to see how each food affects the blood glucose level even if it is listed as a free food.  Each person is different so each food can affect them in a different way.

Here's the list of free foods:
 

CONDIMENTS

DRINKS

FRUIT

SEASONINGS

Basil (fresh)
Celery seeds
Cinnamon
Chili powder
Chives
Curry
Dill
Flavoring Extracts (vanilla, lemon, almond, walnut, peppermint,
butter, etc...)
Garlic
Garlic powder
Herbs
Hot pepper sauce
Lemon
Lemon juice
Lemon pepper
Lime
Lime juice
Mint
Onion powder
Oregano
Paprika
Pepper
Pimento
Spices
Soy sauce (low-sodium)
Wine (used in cooking)
Worcestershire sauce
 
 

VEGETABLES (About 1 cup)

Cabbage
Celery
Chinese cabbage
Cucumber
Green onion
Hot peppers
Mushrooms
Radishes
Seaweed
Zucchini
Salad greens - Endive
               Escarole
               Lettuce
               Romaine
               Spinach