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Baking cookbook suggestion please

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SunflowerMama

SunflowerMama

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
I have frozen cookies I made last week but now that my son was diagnosed T1 this week I feel completely overwhelmed looking at them and figuring out how to figure out the carbs (they aren't made with sugar). So, I thought I won't fret and will sneak them off to my other child and start fresh.

I usually do home cooking but for a lot of things packages feel easier. I want to be able to do baking, I have all the non sugar sweeteners at the ready.... But I think I need a diabetes cookbook to tell me how to do it in a way I will know hpw many carbs are in cookies, muffins, etc.

Can someone recommend an appropriate cookbook please? Especially one with cookies, muffins, cakes, etc
 
SunflowerMama said:
I have frozen cookies I made last week but now that my son was diagnosed T1 this week I feel completely overwhelmed looking at them and figuring out how to figure out the carbs (they aren't made with sugar). So, I thought I won't fret and will sneak them off to my other child and start fresh.

I usually do home cooking but for a lot of things packages feel easier. I want to be able to do baking, I have all the non sugar sweeteners at the ready.... But I think I need a diabetes cookbook to tell me how to do it in a way I will know hpw many carbs are in cookies, muffins, etc.

Can someone recommend an appropriate cookbook please? Especially one with cookies, muffins, cakes, etc
Click to expand...
People use recipes from the sugarfreelondoner website. There are also recipes in the food forum here. Remember some people do react to some of the artificial sweeteners which if used in excess can give them the trots.
 
Leadinglights said:
People use recipes from the sugarfreelondoner website. There are also recipes in the food forum here. Remember some people do react to some of the artificial sweeteners which if used in excess can give them the trots.
Click to expand...
Oh! I didn't know that. Hope that won't be the case for my son.
 
Hi @SunflowerMama You can just use normal recipes but carb count the ingredients before you start then divide by the number of portions. I write the individual carb count on my recipe book.

Type 1s can eat a pretty normal diet. I avoid artificial sweeteners genuinely. I just eat normal biscuits in moderation eg chocolate hobnobs. When I make cakes and puddings at home, I often reduce the sugar a little to reduce the carbs.

If you can remember what you put in the cookies, you can estimate the carbs. Err on the side of caution and go for your lower guess.
 
Leadinglights said:
People use recipes from the sugarfreelondoner website. There are also recipes in the food forum here. Remember some people do react to some of the artificial sweeteners which if used in excess can give them the trots.
Click to expand...

Type 1s can eat relatively normally. We don’t need sugar-free recipes and can eat normal biscuits, puddings, cake, ice cream in moderation.

I’ve never made a sugar-free recipe or ever looked at that site.
 
Reducing the level of sweetness of the diet in general can mean that many recipes need to be altered - I often start off at 1/4 the amount of artificial sweetener, and for things such as icecream (the real stuff) I don't add any.
If I was to try 'normal' amounts of sweetener, or sugars, it would be too much now that my sense of taste has adjusted.
 
Right but you’re Type 2 diet-treated, Drummer. The diet recommended for Type 1s is very different to yours. Type 1s are recommended to eat a normal healthy diet.

@SunflowerMama I found a couple of recipes to start you off:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/recipes/easter-biscuits

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/recipes/fruity-chocolate-tray-bake

Carbs counted in many online sites too eg here:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/vintage-chocolate-chip-cookies

But in generally, just carb count the flour, sugar and any other carb ingredients in a normal recipe and divide as explained above. You’ll also find some regular cookbooks have the nutritional info for recipes too, but once you get used to doing it, counting up the carbs is fine. You can also just estimate if you’re out and your son has a biscuit or cookie.
 
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I was making no suggestion at all about the amount of carbs for a type 1 diabetic.
My observation on the amount of sweetener in low carb baking recipes was simply to assist Sunflower Mama in her choices as I noticed that the cookies she has already made and frozen are made without sugar so if she was to use a recipe which assumed that it was necessary to sweeten things to 'normal' levels they might be too sweet.
 
It seems so obvious to count ingredients, divide equally and calculate but I didn't even think of that. My mind is in such an overload mode still I don't see these obvious solutions.
 
SunflowerMama said:
It seems so obvious to count ingredients, divide equally and calculate but I didn't even think of that. My mind is in such an overload mode still I don't see these obvious solutions.
Click to expand...
I have a ring binder with plastic pockets where I keep recipes, starting with the original one, then adding notes or rewriting over time to tweak them - over time I pull out the sheets and throw them away keeping only the recipe I settled on - with the carb content of each ingredient, the total number of carbs from that source, the total number in the recipe and then how many carbs each portion would have depending on the number of portions.
Once sorted out it is very easy just to follow the recipe on the sheet - I'd suggest making items slightly larger or smaller so that they are all about the came carb content so that it makes for easy calculation.

If you are feeling a bit flustered it is not at all surprising - electronic weighing scales and a notebook and pencil (for the many adjustments) will hopefully be useful in sorting out your recipes and portion sizes.
 
SunflowerMama said:
It seems so obvious to count ingredients, divide equally and calculate but I didn't even think of that. My mind is in such an overload mode still I don't see these obvious solutions.
Click to expand...

A Type 1 diagnosis is a huge shock and even more so when it’s your child, I imagine. There’s so much to do in practical terms and it does take time to get your head around having to think so much before you eat. It does get easier though gradually. You’ll learn and these things will become routine. It’s also a big emotional shock so be kind to yourself. Take things slowly and tell yourself you’re doing ok - because you really are 🙂
 
I like the idea of creating my own cookbook. I think in time I will do that but don't feel that ambitious yet. Maybe will get a binder and all and shove it in a cupboard until I am.
 
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