How to Make a Diabetic Care Package

It is human nature to want to help loved ones out or give gifts during tough times. Being diagnosed with diabetes certainly qualifies as one of those times. Unfortunately, grabbing a card and a package of decadent chocolates is not the best way to show how much you care about a newly diagnosed diabetic. Fortunately, there are reasonable alternatives to sweets. Instead, make a practical and useful care package geared toward easing the loved one’s newfound stress and anxiety.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Diabetic friendly recipes
• Diabetic or healthy living magazines
• A variety of dried, whole grain pastas
• A variety of whole grain crackers
• Pocket sized notebook
• Alcohol prep wipes and small gauze pads or bandages
• Reusable water bottle and sugar-free drink mixes

1. Buy a package of 4x6” index cards and make recipe cards by neatly writing or typing recipes from a diabetic cookbook or recipe website. Write or type serving sizes and nutrition information on the back of each card. Be sure to cover a range of foods including: appetizers, main courses, side dishes, breads, snacks and deserts.
2. Select two or three magazines geared toward diabetics or healthy living. Consider adding a book supportive of new diabetics.
3. Purchase a selection of whole grain pastas in a variety of shapes and flavors. Consider pastas made from whole wheat or brown rice. Add in several varieties of whole grain crackers.
4. Select and purchase a pocket sized notebook so the diabetic loved one can record glucose levels, food intake and exercise. It should be lightweight and unobtrusive. Consider including three or four in the care package.
5. Find and buy single use alcohol prep wipes. These may be purchased at drugstores or in bulk at warehouse stores or online. Complement with a package of small bandages or gauze pads.
6. Include an easy to clean, reusable water bottle and several packages of sugar-free drink powders. Go for variety with these easy to make, glucose friendly mixes.
7. Put everything together in a gift basket and give to your loved one.

Tips & Warnings

• Health food stores may have a wider selection of whole grain pastas and crackers than traditional grocers.
• If you still want to give your loved one a card and candy, consider trying out some of the many sugar-free hard candies or chocolates candy manufacturers now make.
• Take care to compare the fiber and carbohydrate contents of whole grain foods to their traditional counterparts.