Preserves in general query?

[Annette&Bert]

Very occasionally I would like toast and marmalade or a jam. I used to love the ones Rose's did because of the different flavours. However, since becoming diabetic I have had none of the foregoing, so wondered if there was a lower carb one others knew of that have so far eluded me.

Pretty please, let me know.

 

[Northerner]

Have you tried testing to see what actual effect the 'real stuff' has on your levels? I would imagine a teaspoon scraped across a slice of toast/oatcake etc. wouldn't add many carbs but still provide the flavour. You've got me wanting some Rose's Lime marmalade now, haven't had any for years! 😱

The low sugar/diabetes friendly can contain sweeteners that can cause gastric upset, so generally best avoided (they used to advertise stuff as 'diabetic jam etc. but that's against the law now). I wrote a poem about diabetic jam

Ah! You’re diabetic? Well, don’t worry my dear,
We’ve got all sorts of goodies that are suitable here!
There’s diabetic chocolate and diabetic cake,
And diabetic jam – took me ages to make!

And diabetic sweets in all sorts of flavours –
For someone like you they’re heavenly saviours!
So don’t feel deprived, they’re especially for you!
I’ve heard sugar would kill you – is that really true?

Now you might find the sweeteners are rather emetic,
But you’ll just have to suffer since you’re diabetic…
I should also mention they cost twice the price
Of ordinary sweet stuff, but don’t taste as nice…

What’s that? You’re declining? Well how can that be?
But you can't eat normally, like people like me!
You can? Well, my goodness, I’ve learned something new!
My business is finished, and no thanks to you! 😱

 

[Ditto]

Heh!

I'm sure I've seen jars still labelled for diabetics! They're still selling Franks' Ice Cream.

 

[Annette&Bert]

Have you tried testing to see what actual effect the 'real stuff' has on your levels? I would imagine a teaspoon scraped across a slice of toast/oatcake etc. wouldn't add many carbs but still provide the flavour. You've got me wanting some Rose's Lime marmalade now, haven't had any for years! 😱

The low sugar/diabetes friendly can contain sweeteners that can cause gastric upset, so generally best avoided (they used to advertise stuff as 'diabetic jam etc. but that's against the law now). I wrote a poem about diabetic jam

Ah! You’re diabetic? Well, don’t worry my dear,
We’ve got all sorts of goodies that are suitable here!
There’s diabetic chocolate and diabetic cake,
And diabetic jam – took me ages to make!

And diabetic sweets in all sorts of flavours –
For someone like you they’re heavenly saviours!
So don’t feel deprived, they’re especially for you!
I’ve heard sugar would kill you – is that really true?

Now you might find the sweeteners are rather emetic,
But you’ll just have to suffer since you’re diabetic…
I should also mention they cost twice the price
Of ordinary sweet stuff, but don’t taste as nice…

What’s that? You’re declining? Well how can that be?
But you can't eat normally, like people like me!
You can? Well, my goodness, I’ve learned something new!
My business is finished, and no thanks to you! 😱

That poem was great. I also write poems.


I would only have a very small amount as you said just to get the taste, and only now and then.

I tried Franks ice cream rotten

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

My thinking is this: even if the stuff was 100% sugar (which it isn’t) a teaspoon’s worth would be 5g of carbs. At a guess, commercial marmalades would be maybe 75% carbs by weight. Homemade jams tend to be made with an equal weight of sugar to fruit - so if berries then perhaps 50% carbs (I’ve not made marmalade so I don’t know)

Either way I would think your teaspoons worth of marmalade would be 3-4g of carbs.

Depending on your sensitivity to carbs you may find this makes very little difference! You could always take a bite less of the toast to offset the marmalade carbs?

Let your meter be your guide 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

Personally, I would have more problem with the carbs in the toast than the sugar in a tiny smear of jam or marmalade but then where is the fun in a teaspoon of marmalade if you can't spread it on toast!

 

[Annette&Bert]

Good thinking from both of you....A little of what you like is ok so long as it’s not a lot and every day, sometimes threads like this are a big help to those newly diagnosed, thanks for all the input.

 

[Sally W]

I make my own jam. With raspberries no need to add sweetener, just use chia seeds to set it. Also made marmalade which was delicious. Try low carb yum raspberry chia jam recipe. I do add a bit of sweetener or sugar to black currant as they’re tart. Also Bonne Maman have just introduced a range with more fruit less sugar about half normal levels in case you want to try that.

 

[Annette&Bert]

Thank you so much Sally that is helpful

 

[rebrascora]

I am guessing that fruit and chia seeds will not actually keep ie be "preserved", but just be more like a thick stewed fruit?

 

[Jodee]

I have been having Tesco's, low sugar one but checking the carbs its 60g per 100g 1 tablespoon is 9.1g carbs* so possibly ordinary jam or marmalade may be ok when you fancy some occasionally.

* a teaspoon approx 3g carbs

 

[Jodee]

yes same for the Tesco one, but I think if you only have now and then, it won't hurt 🙂

 

[trophywench]

I've been eating Bonne Maman apricot 'more fruit' jam for about 20 years. I can smear half a teaspoon of it on a large croissant or a full slice of toast and it's more than enough to make my brain believe it's been exceptionally daring if not downright wicked - and it's just divine.

 

[Northerner]

I've been eating Bonne Maman apricot 'more fruit' jam for about 20 years. I can smear half a teaspoon of it on a large croissant or a full slice of toast and it's more than enough to make my brain believe it's been exceptionally daring if not downright wicked - and it's just divine.

That's the thing isn't it? You don't need to slap huge dollops of the stuff on to get the benefit 🙂

 

[Annette&Bert]

Well one of the things about sweet treats is we are not talking breakfast every morning, and dollops, at least I’m not. So, that being said if a couple of days or even once a week you fancy a bit of toast with jam or marmalade in such small quantities it won’t do any harm.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

 

[Sally W]

I am guessing that fruit and chia seeds will not actually keep ie be "preserved", but just be more like a thick stewed fruit?

it’s just like jam to me only tastes better as not overly sweet. I make a small pot and lasts a month in fridge. It only takes a few minutes to make too so very quick.

 

[Sally W]

I've been buying Stute brand blackcurrant jam as it's no added sugar. One teaspoon on wholegrain toast to kick off the day. However, today I read about how bad Sorbitol is if you're diabetic and guess what sweetener is in my jam?

I've binned it.

Martin

Blackcurrant jam is my favourite. I make it with frozen fruit & tastes yummy. Plus I now prefer less sweet jams so I can adjust to my tastebuds

 

[Drummer]

Chia seed absorbs a lot of moisture so really thickens up mashed fruit. I left a bowl in the fridge for a few days and you could have cut it into slices.

 

[Annette&Bert]

ooooh, You are making me hungry

 

[Jodee]

I've just got back from hols and have been ultra wicked, icecream,. chips, chocolate and one day jam on toast 😛 twas delicious, oh I did savour the vanilla icecream, made it last 20 mins - hard not to do the non diabetic thing when on holiday and with a friend who eats everything sweet and high carb, so in comparison I was quite good 😛