Gullon sugar free biscuits

WoodyStG

Newbie
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3
I am new to this site so please bear with me. I have diet controlled type 2 diabetes. I've tried the Gullon sugar free biscuits and they are like the real thing. I have seen articles talking about eating them and adjusting insulin accordingly, but what about type two diabetics? Is there something in these biscuits that means that I shouldn't eat them?
 

xfieldok

Well-Known Member
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4,182
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
At 22g per serving, too high for me. The only thing you can do is try them and test.
 

JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
5,937
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I am new to this site so please bear with me. I have diet controlled type 2 diabetes. I've tried the Gullon sugar free biscuits and they are like the real thing. I have seen articles talking about eating them and adjusting insulin accordingly, but what about type two diabetics? Is there something in these biscuits that means that I shouldn't eat them?
Hi @WoodyStG , and welcome,

The reason T1's have to take insulin for these is because they still contain carbs. And practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested. That's not just sugars, but starches too. Anything made with flour/oats/grain/etc falls under that...For T2's too, alas. So while there aren't any refined sugars in these, they still contain carbs and will raise your bloodsugars.

I'm not exactly sure how you can be "diet controlled" and not know that the thing that the diet should be controlling is carb intake. (I hope that doesn't sound nasty, i'm just... A little puzzled and concerned.) So... I'm going to tag @daisy1 for her excellent info-sheet. That'll answer a whole load of things about this condition for you. And hey, if you really miss cookies, go to dietdoctor.com for recipies. Loads of 'em on there and they won't spike your bloodsugars. ;)
 

Rokaab

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,158
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
As a diabetic it is not just sugar you need to be wary of, it is all carbs (as carbs get turned into glucose), and having looked at the info for a couple of those biscuits they still have a largish amount of carbs in them which will affect your sugar levels.

In fact having had a wider look the couple that I looked at have more carbs than chocolate hobnobs per 100g .....
 
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JeremySE18

Well-Known Member
Messages
85
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I received a "diabetic goodie bag" probably from Amazon for xmas which contained a pack of "no added sugar" oatmeal cookies, only 66g per 100g :)
 

Prem51

Expert
Messages
7,393
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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*
Is there something in these biscuits that means that I shouldn't eat them?
Yes, carbs.
Welcome to the forum @WoodyStG. Carbohydrates turn to sugar quickly in our bodies, so aren't good for Type 2 diabetics.
Last time I looked at the carb content of Gullon Digestive biscuits they contained more carbs than the 'regular' McVities Digestive biscuits.
 

Brunneria

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
21,889
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I received a "diabetic goodie bag" probably from Amazon for xmas which contained a pack of "no added sugar" oatmeal cookies, only 66g per 100g :)

Ironic, isn't it?
'only' seems to be a terribly flexible word, when people are trying to sell stuff.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@WoodyStG
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful and interesting.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
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WoodyStG

Newbie
Messages
3
Ironic, isn't it?
'only' seems to be a terribly flexible word, when people are trying to sell stuff.
I decided to go for the low carb program but that requires a value for HbA1c. Would my GP have this value? Any recommendations on home testing kits for HbA1c?
 

Prem51

Expert
Messages
7,393
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
*
I decided to go for the low carb program but that requires a value for HbA1c. Would my GP have this value?
@WoodyStG You can ask your GP surgery for a printout of your test results, it gives you a lot of useful info.
GP surgeries are also required to have online access to your test results. You need to request this, and probably provide photo ID - it's useful to have this, and also allows you to make gp appointments and re-order medication online.
 

Sue192

Well-Known Member
Messages
594
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Last time I looked at the carb content of Gullon Digestive biscuits they contained more carbs than the 'regular' McVities Digestive biscuits.
An excellent reason to eat dig bics then.... ;):D

I decided to go for the low carb program but that requires a value for HbA1c. Would my GP have this value? Any recommendations on home testing kits for HbA1c?
I used this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SELF-CHECK...548844546&sr=8-5&keywords=hba1c+home+test+kit
but it was a heck of a lot cheaper when I did. I see there are other testing kits on Amazon but with not many reviews. The kit I used was pretty accurate but check with your GP - they should have your hbA1c result and ask them for regular tests too (if they are amenable to that - some GPs certainly aren't and not all surgeries allow you online access to your records, even though they are supposed to).
 
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mtc2300

Active Member
Messages
43
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Sugar Free isn't carb free. Over the hollidays friendly familymembers had stocked with sugar free cookies and candy. The level of carb is enormous, so I ate less but homemade regular cookies and of course sweet with sugar, and they learned how we're cheated with the "Sugar Free" label. I'd rather have them carb- and sugarfree :)
 
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