Are Biscuits Good for Diabetes?

Category: Nutrition

Author: Shifa Fatima, MSc.

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Apoorva T, MHM.

Reviewed: April 15, 2022

Overview

Biscuits are a popular snack choice across demographics - easy to store, economical, and appealing to taste buds. They serve as a common companion for evening tea and are enjoyed by both adults and children. However, for individuals with diabetes, the suitability of biscuits as a snack requires careful consideration.

Understanding Diabetes and Blood Sugar

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by elevated glucose levels in the blood. Key facts about diabetes:

Glucose Source: Glucose (sugar) is the primary energy source for the body, derived from food consumption
Insulin Function: Glucose is absorbed by cells under the influence of insulin, a hormone produced by the body
Insulin Deficiency: When insulin production is insufficient, blood glucose levels rise
Health Complications: Elevated blood glucose damages arteries supplying vital organs, increasing risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Vision problems
- Nerve disorders

Disease Progression: Diabetes is chronic and develops over an extended period. Management requires a carefully structured routine with selective food choices.

Nutritional Composition of Standard Biscuits

Primary Ingredients

Standard biscuits typically contain:

Whole Wheat Flour
Ammonium Bicarbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate
Tartaric Acid
Vegetable Oil
Powdered/Skim Milk
Baking Soda
Sugar
Preservatives

Nutritional Profile

Per Biscuit (approximately 15g):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	71
Fiber	0.5g

Key Concerns for Diabetics

High Glycemic Index Ingredients:

The primary ingredients in biscuits are refined flour and sugar
These ingredients have a high glycemic index, causing blood sugar spikes
Foods with high glycemic index are considered unsafe for diabetics

Salty Biscuits:

While salty biscuits have a low glycemic index
They contain high sodium content
Can cause blood pressure elevation

Manufacturing Concerns:

Even brands claiming to use "raw ingredients" have varying manufacturing processes
Difficult to ascertain how raw or refined ingredients actually are
Many "healthy" biscuits combine refined flours (like Maida) with whole grain flour
This combination inevitably adds fat and carbohydrate content

Plain and Digestive Biscuits

Both Plain and Digestive biscuits claim health benefits, but ingredient lists reveal concerns:

Refined flours like Maida are often combined with whole grain flour
This adds significant fat and carbohydrate content
Despite health claims, nutritional composition remains problematic for diabetics

Can I Eat Biscuits for Breakfast?

Importance of Breakfast

Breakfast is the first meal after an overnight fast and is considered the most important meal of the day. It serves multiple functions:

Replenishes glucose supply
Energizes the entire body
Supplies vital nutrients required throughout the day

Biscuits as Breakfast: Considerations

Limited Acceptability: Biscuits can be consumed for breakfast ONLY if:

Eaten in smaller portions
Accompanied by other wholesome foods like milk or fruits

Why Biscuits Alone Are Inadequate:

Nutrient Deficiency:
- An ideal breakfast must provide essential nutrients including fibers
- Consuming only biscuits deprives the body of essential nutrients and fibers
- Can lead to digestive issues
Unhealthy Sugar and Sodium Content:
- Biscuits contain very unhealthy amounts of sugar and sodium
- Can cause increased blood sugar levels
- Can elevate blood pressure
Tea and Biscuit Combination:
- Common practice in India to have biscuits with chai (tea)
- Not recommended as the first food of the day
- Especially problematic if the biscuit or tea is sweet

Alternatives to Regular Biscuits

Sugar-Free and Diabetic-Friendly Options

Fortunately, diabetes-friendly biscuits are available in the market:

Characteristics:

Made with whole wheat
Sweetened with jaggery instead of refined sugar
No added preservatives

Important Clarification:

Jaggery, sugar, and honey are practically the same nutritionally
They contain the same amount of sugar
However, these alternatives are still better than regular biscuits

Consumption Guidelines:

Can be consumed occasionally
One or two biscuits will not cause significant harm
Certainly better than conventional biscuits

Healthier Biscuit Options

Whole Grain Biscuits: Biscuits prepared with:

Oats
Whole wheat
Ragi
Other nutritious whole grains

Example: Threptin Biscuits

Considered good for people with diabetes
These diabetic biscuits are relatively healthy
Recommended consumption: 2 to 3 biscuits twice a week

Best Alternative: Homemade Biscuits

Advantages:

Complete control over ingredients
Can customize to meet specific dietary needs

Preparation Tips:

Use healthy whole wheat flour
Add peanut butter for protein and healthy fats
Use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar
Some bakeries offer customized biscuit baking services

Other Healthy Substitutes:

Fried, unsalted dry fruits like makhana (fox nuts)
Provide good nutritional value
Satisfy taste buds without compromising health

Are Sugar-Free Biscuits Beneficial for Diabetics?

Benefits of Sugar-Free Biscuits

Answer: Yes, sugar-free biscuits are beneficial for people with diabetes.

Key Characteristics:

Protein-centric formulation
Offer numerous health benefits
Suitable for both children and adults with diabetes
Can be consumed as a snack
Made after thorough research and testing

Important Caution:

Diabetic patients should avoid overconsumption
Moderation is essential

Health Benefits When Consumed Appropriately

Sugar-free biscuits help maintain:

Healthy weight
Good heart rate
Normal blood glucose levels

Nutritional Advantages:

Rich in casein protein
Contains vital vitamins
Contains essential minerals

Functional Benefits:

Strong body development
Faster recovery from cravings
Long-lasting nourishment
Quicker recovery from hunger pangs

5 Sugar-Free Biscuits for Diabetics

1. Diabliss Millet Cookies

Brand Overview: Diabliss is a well-known brand offering a range of healthy and diabetic-friendly biscuits.

Product Characteristics:

Low glycemic index (GI)
Less processed
Nutritionally rich
Zero cholesterol
Zero trans-fat

Primary Ingredient Benefits: Millets used in these cookies provide:

Proper digestion support
Diabetes control
Weight loss aid
Blood glucose level maintenance

Sweetening Method:

Sweetness derived from natural sugar
Does not contribute to glucose spikes
Safer option for diabetics

2. Diabodelite Multi-Grain Sugar-Free Cookies

Product Description: Tasty yet healthy cookies suitable for diabetes-friendly diets.

Ingredients:

Oats
Ragi
Bajra
Wheat flour
Soya
Fenugreek (excellent source of amino acids and protein)

Nutritional Profile:

Rich in fiber
Zero trans-fat
Zero cholesterol
Low glycemic index

Suitability:

Best for diabetes patients
Suitable for prediabetes patients

Consumption Recommendation: Avoid eating more than four cookies per day.

3. Sunfeast Farmlite Digestive Cookies with Oats with Almonds

Product Positioning: Best in the sugar-free digestive biscuits range.

Nutritional Characteristics:

High in protein
Good fiber content
Zero trans-fat

Standout Feature: Exceptional taste without compromising health benefits.

Nutrient Content: Every oat and almond cookie is:

Loaded with nutrients
Prevents blood sugar spikes

Suitability:

Perfect for Type 2 diabetes
Suitable for prediabetes

4. Britannia Nutrichoice Essentials

Product Overview: Excellent sugar-free biscuit choice for diabetics and health-conscious individuals.

Primary Ingredients:

Ragi
Oats

Nutritional Profile:

Zero trans-fat
No harmful added sugar
Low glycemic index
Fiber-rich
Contains essential complex carbohydrates

Overall Assessment: Strong and safe nutritional profile for people with diabetes.

5. Diabexy Diabetic Almond Cookies

Key Features:

Low glycemic load
Low glycemic index
Little to no impact on blood sugar (glucose) levels

Nutritional Characteristics:

Strong nutritional content
Sweet fibers used instead of refined sugar
Low total carbohydrate content
Zero trans-fat

Digestibility: Easy to digest.

Additional Benefits: Excellent option for people willing to lose weight due to zero trans-fat content.

Tips to Avoid Less Healthy Snacks

Giving up cravings for unhealthy snacks can be challenging but is achievable with the right strategies.

Practical Tips for Success

1. Dietary Modifications:

Include more fresh vegetables in regular diet
Add seasonal fruits
Incorporate beans
Use whole grains
Add pulses
These foods are highly nutritious and increase satiety

2. Distraction Techniques:

Take a quick walk when craving unhealthy food
Helps distract the mind from cravings

3. Healthy Snack Preparation: Always keep stock of healthy snacks ready:

Nuts
Low-fat hummus with vegetable sticks
Sugar-free cookies
Wholegrain crackers
Fruits

4. Beverage Strategy: When tempted to eat unhealthy food items, consider:

A big glass of water
A cup of green tea
Regular tea
Coffee

Implementation Requirements:

Strong determination
Discipline
Consistent effort

Outcome: Following these tips helps keep overall health in check.

Bottomline

Standard Biscuit Composition

Almost every conventional biscuit contains:

Refined flour
Sugar
Fat
Preservatives
Sodium

The "Healthy" Biscuit Reality

Many biscuits marketed as "healthy":

Have refined flour (Maida) as primary ingredient
Contain only small percentage of whole-grain flour
Not recommended as first food item of the day

Diabetes-Friendly Alternatives

Fortunately, diabetes-friendly biscuits are available:

Composition:

Made from whole wheat
Sweetened with jaggery
No added preservatives

Consumption Guidelines:

Healthier alternatives to regular biscuits
People with diabetes can have 2 to 3 biscuits twice a week

Frequently Asked Questions

Are low sugar biscuits good for diabetes?

Any food item with a high glycemic index is not good for diabetic patients. Biscuits are made with flour and sugar, giving them a high glycemic index, making them unsafe for diabetics. Salty biscuits can spike blood pressure.

However, biscuits exclusively made for diabetic people are manufactured with correct ingredients like wheat and jaggery, making them safe. If cravings are strong, diabetics can have 2-3 biscuits in 14 days, but daily consumption can have dangerous long-term consequences.

What biscuits are low GI?

Biscuits with low glycemic index are comparatively safer for diabetic people. Instead of sugar and flour, these biscuits use healthier ingredients like wheat and jaggery. Many top brands manufacture these sugar-free biscuits. Better ingredients like oats and ragi are also used for making diabetic-friendly biscuits. Consuming biscuits according to their GI affects the glucose level in the body.

Are sugar-free biscuits healthy?

The answer depends completely on the ingredients used to make a particular biscuit. Sugar-free biscuits are generally a good option for diabetic people as they are low in glycemic index and keep blood sugar levels unaffected.

However, artificial sweeteners are sometimes used to make biscuits, which is not a good choice for diabetic people. It is highly recommended to review the ingredients before consuming items that might affect blood levels.

Which Biscuits are Good for Diabetes?

If diagnosed with any diabetes type, consider including:

Millet cookies
Multi-grain sugar-free cookies
Sugar-free biscuits
Oats and almond cookies
Britannia Nutrichoice

Irrespective of the biscuits chosen from this list, ensure consumption in moderation to prevent unwanted blood sugar spikes.

References

https://www.wellthy.care/diabetes-diet-biscuits/

Disclaimer

This website's content is provided only for educational reasons and is not meant to be a replacement for professional medical advice. Due to individual differences, the reader should contact their physician to decide whether the material is applicable to their case.

About the Authors