What would be your menu suggestions for a child's birthday party that is definitely "diabetes-friendly"? Things that will *feel* like a birthday party but without wrecking the health of a diabetic child and without making young guests overly aware of the guest of honor being "different"?

I think I saw a recipe earlier on this forum for a birthday cake. I would just buy the same things that you already buy if yo do buy sugar free candy and sugar free ice cream and things like that, then it should not be too hard to find enough things to make it feel like a regular birthday party.

Very true... I think that with a little pre-planning, the guests wouldn't even realize that the menu is different from any other birthday party.

Please dont be fooled that by buying sugar free foods is a smart thing.
Its actually not. Sicne \ so many sugarfree items ahve the same if not in some cases more carbohydartes than original candys, cakes etc.
before buying these things please read the labels and do not be fooled by sugar alcohol. They impact the same as any other carbohydrate.

and watch the sodium levels - too many times they pull out the sugar and dump in more salt!

Yes, very true. I think that a lot of people, especially those new to the whole issue of diabetes assume that buying "sugar free" is the answer to everything and it's just not. It really takes an education in what's good and what's not.

I also think that manufacturers might make more of an effort to tell people it may not be good for a diabetic just because it's sugar free... but bottom line is that it comes down to the consumer to know and research.

I completely agree with you, it is up to the individual person to do the research and determine which is the better food for them.

Unfortunately, I'm guilty of doing this very thing. I see a label that says "New! Low Fat!" or "Now with 25% less sugar!" and buy it *before* I check to see if that means they put something else bad in there, or added more sodium. I really need to learn to check out the whole picture. They may follow "truth in advertising" but it's often what's NOT advertised that turns out to be the problem.

it's horrible the way the manufacturers trick you into buying stuff, that's for sure - especially when all they're doing is substituting one sin for another!

it's tough, but try to be an informed consumer and read the labels...

Kids love all kinds of treats and I think that so long as there is a cake of some sort they will not notice if much ot he rest is more savory. Especially will all the usual party craziness going on