April 21, 2011
![5 recommended products for customers with diabetes 5 recommended products for customers with diabetes](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltafc06db067aebac6/64cbf83cdb0bcc7a8de33eaa/NewHopeNetwork_Horizontal_RGB.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt. This yogurt is lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein than many on the market—two attributes that someone with diabetes needs. The great thing about this product is that people don’t have to stick to the plain flavor. Most of the flavored zero-fat options have a manageable amount of carbohydrates.
Good Sense Roasted & Salted Soynuts. For that extra crunch on salads, suggest customers use nuts in place of croutons. It’s small add-ons like croutons that can throw peoples’ diets off. Croutons have carbohydrates but not many other nutritional attributes. These soy nuts have low sodium and offer fiber and protein.
Horizon Organic Cheese Sticks. It’s particularly important for those with diabetes to keep blood sugar from dipping too low. A low-calorie cheese (about 1 ounce) on low-sodium crackers can help them get through a hunger pinch. Retailers can suggest customers keep cheese sticks in their office refrigerator.
Nature’s Earthly Choice ancient grains. One of the top killers of people with diabetes is heart disease, so heart health is critical. I like these grains because they’re easy to prepare, contain no added sodium and are high in protein and fiber. Suggest this product to customers looking for a white rice replacement. They’ll be happy to see they can have a larger serving size because the carbohydrate load is less.
Better Oats Raw Pure & Simple Bare. I like this product because it’s like instant oatmeal but it’s organic and includes other whole grains like barley, wheat, flax, quinoa and rye. It has 4 grams of fiber per serving—slightly more than other breakfast cereals—which may help regulate blood sugar and keep people satiated.
Better Oats Raw Pure & Simple Bare. I like this product because it’s like instant oatmeal but it’s organic and includes other whole grains like barley, wheat, flax, quinoa and rye. It has 4 grams of fiber per serving—slightly more than other breakfast cereals—which may help regulate blood sugar and keep people satiated.
Using the term diabetic to refer to someone who has diabetes can be offensive, says Lois Moss-Barnwell, RD, founder of DietRx, a Chicago-based private consulting company for retailers and manufacturers. “The word has negative connotations,” she says. “Retailers should recognize that these are people who just happen to have diabetes. That doesn’t sound so daunting.” The other mistake a retailer may make is focusing too much on sugar rather than total carbohydrates. “Sugars do make up carbohydrates, but it’s total carbs that most impact what people with diabetes can eat,” Moss-Barnwell says. “With the right education and planning, most people with type 2 diabetes can fit almost any food into their diet. I’d love to see retailers use shelf tags to communicate healthy options in every aisle.”
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