How Can I Do a Diabetes-friendly Tea Party?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
A follower asked if she could have a tea party for a friend with diabetes. Seems like a good opportunity to review how healthy eating for diabetes and celebrations can fit together.
I’m so excited about this video idea which came from one of our viewers… Can people with diabetes go to a tea party? If yes, what can I serve at a tea party? I’m going to give you my answer right now…YES. This sounds like a really fun event, and thank you for being accommodating to your friend who has diabetes.
Table of contents
Afternoon or High Tea Party - Diabetes-Friendly?
Afternoon English Tea parties started back in the 1800s. To be more specific, there are two types of Tea parties, Afternoon Tea or High Tea. For our discussion today, we will talk about an Afternoon Tea which is more casual and also referenced as Low Tea because the tea and goodies were served at a low coffee table or in a sitting room. In addition to tea, typically, three mini-courses are served, including sweets, scones, and small sandwiches.
Can we make our Afternoon or Low Tea party diabetes-friendly? We certainly can. Since we are hosting the party, we can make modifications as needed or if you are attending a party, I’ll review some suggestions. The point of a tea party is to have fun and enjoy each other’s company as we sip on tea from fancy teacups.
Tea will not raise blood sugar if you do not put sugar or honey, agave, or any simple sugar in your tea. Using a low-calorie sweetener or cream or a little bit of milk won’t raise the carbs in your cup of tea. And plain tea, whether it's earl grey or hibiscus or black tea, are all fine for people with diabetes.
Let's Talk Mini-Courses
Let’s get back to talking about the 3 mini-courses, which were sweets, scones, and small sandwiches. For people with diabetes, attending a tea party. I recommend replacing your lunch or dinner with the tea party. And… to help balance the food you are consuming as well as your blood sugar, my recommendation is to skip the scones course.
Scones and Sweets
Scones are high in carbs for just one food item. They are approximately 40 grams of carb. So, I recommend having a variety of sweets that can fit into a healthy eating plan like squares of dark chocolate at 4-5 grams carb per serving; whole strawberries with a dollop of whipped cream; low carb peanut butter cookies which are high in protein with only 4 grams of carb, or these mini pumpkin tarts, a recipe I found on the American diabetes association website with only 4 grams carb per serving. You can also add nuts like almonds, pistachios, or these supersede pumpkin seeds that have a good source of protein to help blunt any spike in blood sugar.
Be Sure To Check Out - Does a “Cheat Day” Make Sense With Diabetes?
Sandwiches
The third course is the mini sandwiches which can include egg salad, cucumber with butter, pimento cheese, or tuna salad with capers or smoked salmon, name a few. Often the sandwiches are served on white or pumpernickel bread.
These sandwiches can be served open-faced to cut back on the carb content, and it’s nice that they are served as mini sandwiches. If you get true pumpernickel bread, it will have a good source of fiber with at least 4 grams per serving. As a word of caution, many on the grocery store shelves are not high in fiber. And, with the bread you use for the mini sandwiches, don’t stress out that it must be whole wheat. This is a special event, and it’s ok if you have a lower fiber bread. You also have the option to serve the sandwiches on wheat bread, but just make sure it is a true whole wheat bread with at least 3-4 grams of fiber per serving.
Be Sure To Check Out - Can People With Diabetes Eat Bread
Ok, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my little tea party before my tea gets cold.
Until next time, cheers to your health.
Don't forget to take a look at our most frequently asked questions.
You May Also Enjoy