Where to Buy Diabetic-Friendly Christmas Puddings and Treats in the UK

One of the best parts of Christmas is gathering round the table for pudding. But if you’re catering for guests with diabetes, the traditional sugar-heavy options aren’t always suitable. 

Luckily, the UK has plenty of alternatives – from ready-made puddings to DIY kits and mixes – so no one has to miss out on the magic of a festive dessert.

Here’s a guide to some of the best places to shop for diabetic-friendly Christmas puddings and other low-sugar treats this year.

Diabetic Hampers UK – Ready-Made & Delivered

If convenience is your priority, Diabetic Hampers UK is a fantastic place to start. They stock reduced-sugar Christmas puddings and beautifully presented hampers packed with diabetic-friendly goodies. You can even choose your delivery date, making it a reliable choice if you’re planning ahead for the big day.

Perfect for: hassle-free gifting or ensuring there’s a pudding on the table without extra work. https://www.diabetichampers.co.uk

Plum Duff & Stuff – A DIY Pudding Kit for Diabetics

Want to keep a traditional feel while still looking after sugar levels? The Plum Duff & Stuff Christmas pudding kit is a brilliant option. It comes with all the dry ingredients measured out – dried fruits, wholemeal flour, seeds, spices, and stevia for sweetening – plus a ceramic basin and wrapping. All you need to add are fresh fruit zest, juice, and eggs.

Perfect for: bakers who love a “make it yourself” pudding with a festive ritual.

No-Added-Sugar Christmas Pudding

If you’re looking for a pudding that gets its sweetness naturally, keep an eye out for no-added-sugar puddings. These are usually made with dried fruits like dates, apples, and prunes, delivering a lovely richness without refined sugar. They’re often stocked by specialist retailers like Diabetic Hampers UK and seasonal online shops.

Perfect for: guests who prefer a more natural sweetness.

https://www.plumduffandstuff.co.uk

LillyPuds – Reduced-Sugar & Vegan Options

LillyPuds is a small British producer offering luxurious puddings that don’t overload on sugar. Their Reduced-Sugar Christmas Pudding has over 50% fruit and no artificial sweeteners, while their vegan and gluten-free option is also lower in sugar (around 5%). Both taste indulgent while catering for a wide range of dietary needs.

Perfect for: guests who need vegan, gluten-free, or reduced-sugar puddings that still feel special.

A Quick Homemade Fix – Low-Carb Recipes

For those who like a hands-on approach, there are excellent low-carb, sugar-free recipes online. For example, Sugar Free Londoner has a microwave-friendly pudding that takes just 10 minutes to make. It uses almond flour, erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, eggs, spices, and a little fruit for flavour. The result is a festive, portion-controlled pudding with only about 8g net carbs per serving.

Perfect for: last-minute bakers who still want a homemade touch.

https://www.lillypuds.co.uk

Sugar-Free Baking Mixes

If pudding isn’t your thing, you could offer another festive bake made from sugar-free baking mixes.

The Skinny Food Co has brownie and sponge cake mixes

Betty Crocker produces sugar-free cake and cookie mixes in the UK.

Bulk™ Protein Brownie Mix is low-sugar and high in protein, offering a filling alternative.

Perfect for: adding variety to the dessert table with minimal effort.

Extra Sugar-Free Festive Treats

Don’t forget about those extra nibbles to go with coffee and tea. Shops like Healthy Supplies stock sugar-free delights such as Turkish delight, Viennese biscuits, coconut wafers, and even sparkling cranberry drinks. These little touches can make diabetic guests feel thought of when the selection box comes out.

Perfect for: stocking fillers, snacking, or a “sweet plate” at the end of the meal.

Supermarkets – Check Labels Carefully

Mainstream supermarkets do carry free-from puddings (for example, Tesco Finest Free-From Christmas Pudding). However, most of these are gluten-free rather than sugar-free, and often still contain a lot of sugar. They’re useful for those with coeliac disease, but not ideal for managing blood glucose.

Perfect for: gluten-free diets, but not suitable as a true diabetic-friendly option.

Sweet Traditions, Thoughtful Choices

From ready-made reduced-sugar puddings to DIY kits, quick recipes, and sugar-free treats, there’s a wealth of ways to make sure diabetic guests feel fully included in the festive spread. Whether you order from a specialist site like Diabetic Hampers UK, treat your guests to a LillyPuds showstopper, or bake your own with a sugar-free mix, there’s no shortage of options.

After all, Christmas pudding should be about sharing memories – not worrying about sugar.

A Sweet Christmas Without the Sugar: Catering for Diabetic Guests

Christmas is a time for indulgence the mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolates, and festive cocktails all seem to take centre stage. 

But if you’re welcoming friends or family with diabetes, you may be wondering how best to cater for them without leaving them out of the seasonal fun. 

The good news? With today’s wide range of zero sugar alternatives, syrups and flavourings, you can create festive treats that are both delicious and diabetic-friendly.

Why Think About Zero Sugar Options?

Traditional festive foods are often packed with refined sugar, which can cause blood glucose levels to spike. For those living with diabetes, this makes navigating the Christmas table tricky. 

By making simple swaps with sugar-free ingredients and naturally sweet alternatives, you can help ensure that everyone enjoys the celebrations without worry.

Sweet Swaps: Baking and Desserts

Zero sugar syrups – Brands now offer syrups in flavours such as vanilla, caramel, hazelnut and even festive gingerbread. Perfect for drizzling over pancakes, flavouring coffee, or adding to whipped cream.

Sugar-free chocolate – A great option for stocking fillers or to melt into sauces.

Sugar substitutes for baking – Stevia, erythritol and monk fruit sweetener can be used in Christmas puddings, cakes and biscuits without compromising taste. (However, people like my wife are allergic to Stevia)

Drinks Without the Sugar Crash

Christmas drinks are often loaded with sugar – from mulled wine to hot chocolate. Try these alternatives:

Sugar-free hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of zero sugar syrup.

Mulled spice tea – brew black tea with cinnamon, cloves and orange peel, then sweeten with a sugar substitute.

Festive mocktails – mix sparkling water with sugar-free syrups, a splash of lemon or lime, and fresh fruit garnish for a seasonal fizz.

Savoury Options That Shine

It’s not all about sweet treats. Luckily, most of the Christmas dinner spread is already diabetic-friendly: roast turkey, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, carrots, and parsnips. Just be mindful of glazes and sauces – opt for reduced-sugar cranberry sauce or make your own using a sugar substitute.

Little Touches That Make a Big Difference

Label dishes so guests know what’s sugar-free.

Offer choice – a traditional pudding alongside a zero-sugar trifle or cheesecake ensures everyone has something special.

Stock your coffee corner with sugar-free syrups so guests can customise their festive lattes.

A Christmas Everyone Can Enjoy

With a little planning and the help of zero sugar syrups and flavourings, you can make your diabetic guests feel not just included, but spoiled with thoughtful festive treats. After all, Christmas is about togetherness, and that means ensuring everyone can join in the feast.

Here are some excellent zero-sugar syrup options available in the UK, perfect for making your Christmas festivities more inclusive for guests managing diabetes.

Festive classic — Christmas maple & spice

Maple & Cinnamon Syrup - Skinny Syrup - 425ml

£4.99

theskinnyfoodco

Gingerbread festive flavour

Mint Syrup | Mint Syrup For Coffee | Skinny Syrups

£6.99

theskinnyfoodco

Nutty barista‑style syrup

Mint Syrup | Mint Syrup For Coffee | Skinny Syrups

£6.99

theskinnyfoodco

Versatile vanilla for coffee, drinks

Monin Sugar Free Vanilla Flavouring Syrup (1 litre)

£9.49

Maple & Cinnamon Syrup - Skinny Syrup - 425ml

A delightfully festive blend of maple and warm spices — ideal for drizzling over porridge, cakes, or into hot beverages without any calories or sugar. A classic seasonal touch.

Mint Syrup | Mint Syrup For Coffee | Skinny Syrups

Rich hints of gingerbread with cinnamon, cloves and molasses make this perfect for spicing up hot chocolate, coffee, or desserts with winter warmth — all sugar-free.

Mint Syrup | Mint Syrup For Coffee | Skinny Syrups

A creamy, nutty favourite for flavouring latte, hot chocolate or even breakfast bowls. Totally sugar-free and delicious.

Monin Sugar Free Vanilla Flavouring Syrup (1 litre)

A versatile vanilla syrup, perfect for lattes, cocktails, baking or mocktails. Made with sucralose, delivering rich flavour without the sugar.

Other Notable UK-Friendly Options

The Skinny Food Co is a notable British brand offering a wide range of zero-calorie, sugar-free syrups. They're stocked in major supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Lidl, and health stores such as Holland & Barrett. 

Wikipedia

NextDayCoffee.co.uk features sugar-free syrups from Amor, Monin, and Simply, including festive picks like:

Monin Gingerbread Sugar-Free Syrup

Monin Vanilla Sugar-Free Syrup

Amor Caramel / Hazelnut / Vanilla Sugar-Free Syrups — all priced around £4.99 for 750 ml 

Nextday Coffee

Bulk™ Zero Calorie Syrup is another UK-available option sweetened with sucralose, offering calorie-free choices in flavours like maple and butterscotch. 

Community recommendations include:

“I quite like the Skinny Syrup ones. I find that the Maple one has the most flavour but the Salted Caramel is also pretty good.” — a user from r/AskUK

Sweeteners & Health Considerations

While syrups offer festive flavour, many use artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame, both generally have minimal impact on blood glucose levels, making them acceptable for diabetic guests. 

However, experts advise moderation as some individuals may experience digestive discomfort or changes in appetite or gut health. 

Stevia, monk fruit, or allulose are natural or low-glycaemic sweeteners that can be used in baking; allulose behaves more like real sugar in recipes, though it’s currently more niche. 

Quick Recommendations for a Diabetic-Friendly Festive Spread

Ingredient Recommendation

Syrup for coffee / drinks Skinny Food Co Maple & Cinnamon or Monin Gingerbread

Dessert drizzle Skinny Food Co Hazelnut or Chocolate Fudge Cake flavour

Baking sweetener Consider sucralose-based syrup or natural substitutes like stevia/allulose

Label clearly Mark sugar-free options at your buffet to minimise confusion

Offer variety Include one traditional sweet alongside sugar-free alternatives so everyone can enjoy

Using zero sugar syrups lets you create festive menus—think flavored coffees, mocktails, baked treats—that are both indulgent and considerate of diabetic dietary needs. 

The Skinny Food Co range stands out for availability and flavour variety in the UK; Monin offers rich, barista-style quality; and Bulk™ is a reliable calorie-free alternative.

Keeping Children Happy at Christmas: Rich Tea Biscuits with Cinnamon Sugar Icing

Christmas is a magical time for families, but let’s be honest—keeping children entertained and happy amidst the festive chaos can be a challenge. 

Enter the humble rich tea biscuit and a touch of homemade cinnamon sugar icing. This simple yet delightful activity and treat will engage little ones and add a festive sparkle to your holiday celebrations.

The Beauty of Rich Tea Biscuits

Rich tea biscuits are the unsung heroes of the biscuit world. They’re versatile, not overly sweet, and have a sturdy texture that makes them perfect for decorating.

Whether you're working with toddlers or school-aged children, these biscuits are an ideal blank canvas for festive creativity. (Other suitable flat biscuits can be pressed into service if rich tea biscuits aren't available.)

Why Cinnamon Sugar Icing?

Adding a festive twist to the icing with cinnamon not only enhances the flavour but also fills the air with the cosy scent of Christmas. The subtle spice pairs perfectly with the simplicity of rich tea biscuits, creating a treat that’s as pleasing to adults as it is to children.

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need for this quick and easy activity:

For the biscuits:

A pack of rich tea biscuits (or several if you’re hosting a crowd!)

For the cinnamon sugar icing:

200g icing sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3-4 tablespoons water (adjust as needed)

A few drops of vanilla extract (optional)

Optional decorations:

Sprinkles

Edible glitter

Mini marshmallows

Chocolate chips

How to Make It

Prepare the Icing:

In a medium bowl, mix the icing sugar and ground cinnamon. Gradually add the water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring until the mixture forms a smooth, spreadable consistency. If desired, add a few drops of vanilla extract for extra flavour.

Set Up the Decorating Station:

Lay out the rich tea biscuits on a tray or a clean surface. Place the icing in small bowls and provide a selection of decorations in separate dishes. Make sure each child has their own spoon or small spatula to spread the icing.

Get Decorating:

Let the children spread the cinnamon sugar icing onto the biscuits. Encourage them to get creative with sprinkles, marshmallows, and other decorations. This is their moment to shine, so don’t worry about perfection!

Allow to Set:

Once decorated, place the biscuits on a baking sheet or cooling rack to allow the icing to set. This will take about 15-20 minutes at room temperature.

Enjoy the Fruits of Their Labour:

Serve the biscuits with a cup of warm milk or hot chocolate, and watch as the children beam with pride at their creations.

The Benefits of This Activity

Keeps Children Engaged: The decorating process is fun, hands-on, and keeps little hands busy.

Encourages Creativity: Kids can express themselves through their choice of decorations and designs.

Creates Festive Memories: This activity is a wonderful way to spend quality time together during the holidays.

Easy Cleanup: Since the icing is thick and the biscuits don’t crumble excessively, the mess is minimal compared to more elaborate baking projects.

A Christmas Tradition in the Making

Rich tea biscuits with cinnamon sugar icing might just become a new Christmas tradition in your household. They’re easy to make, delightful to decorate, and delicious to eat. Plus, this activity provides a wonderful opportunity for bonding and laughter, which is the true magic of the festive season.

So this Christmas, stock up on rich tea biscuits and let the cinnamon-infused fun begin. Your children—and your taste buds—will thank you!

The person who taught me this idea? My own mother who used this simple trick to keep us occupied whilst she was busy with other Christmas tasks.

Feeling tired over Christmas? Before you Reach for the Energy Drinks Think about the Dangers of Energy Drinks and Safer Alternatives for a Natural Boost

Tired at Christmas? Don't reach for the energy drinks

Over Christmas we tend to burn the candle at both ends and tire ourselves out with hosting guests, preparing the decorations, wrapping presents and cooking food. 

Many of us tend to reach for a can of so-called energy drink in order to give us a boost so we can carry on. But that's not a good idea. Read on to learn why. 

In recent years, energy drinks have become a ubiquitous fixture on supermarket shelves and in the hands of countless people looking for a quick energy boost. 

Marketed as the perfect pick-me-up for busy lives, they promise heightened alertness, improved concentration, and enhanced physical performance. 

However, beneath the flashy branding lies a cocktail of health risks that should not be ignored.

The Hidden Dangers of Energy Drinks

Excessive Caffeine Content

Most energy drinks contain staggering levels of caffeine, often far exceeding the safe daily limit for many individuals. Over-consumption of these energy drinks can, therefore, lead to side effects such as heart palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, and, in severe cases, caffeine toxicity. Regular intake can also result in dependency, making it difficult to function without the stimulant.

High Sugar Levels

While caffeine provides the buzz, sugar delivers the "crash." Many energy drinks contain alarmingly high amounts of sugar, which can cause blood sugar spikes followed by sharp drops, leaving you feeling more fatigued than before. Over time, this can contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

Strain on the Heart

The combination of caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants can place undue strain on the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown that energy drinks can increase blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to arrhythmias and other heart-related complications.

Additives and Artificial Ingredients

Many energy drinks are loaded with artificial flavourings, preservatives, and questionable "energy-boosting" ingredients such as taurine and guarana. The long-term effects of consuming these in large quantities are not fully understood, raising concerns about their safety.

Impact on Mental Health

Regular consumption of energy drinks has been linked to increased levels of anxiety, irritability, and even depression. The sharp highs and lows they induce can negatively impact mood and cognitive function.

Safer Alternatives for Sustained Energy

Rather than relying on energy drinks for a quick fix, consider these healthier, more sustainable options to keep your energy levels high throughout the day:

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a common cause of fatigue. Simply drinking water or adding a slice of lemon for a refreshing twist can make a significant difference.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Whole foods rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats provide steady energy. Snack on nuts, seeds, or fresh fruit for a natural pick-me-up.

Embrace Green Tea

With its moderate caffeine content and the calming compound L-theanine, green tea provides a balanced boost without the jitters. It also offers numerous health benefits, including antioxidants.

Get Enough Sleep

No amount of caffeine can substitute for quality rest. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night to recharge your body and mind.

Exercise Regularly

Physical activity stimulates blood flow and the release of endorphins, which can naturally boost your energy and improve your mood. A brisk walk or a short workout can work wonders.

Mind Your Caffeine Sources

If you enjoy a caffeine boost, opt for black coffee or matcha, which are free from sugar and artificial additives. Limit your intake to avoid dependency.

Try Adaptogens

Herbal supplements like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and ginseng are known for their energy-boosting properties and can support your body in managing stress. Always consult a healthcare professional before adding new supplements to your routine.

Practise Mindfulness

Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress and improve focus, indirectly boosting energy by promoting a sense of calm and well-being.

The Bottom Line

Energy drinks may offer a quick solution to fatigue, but their long-term effects on your health are not worth the risk. By adopting healthier habits and choosing natural alternatives, you can maintain your energy levels without compromising your well-being. Remember, sustained energy comes from a balanced lifestyle, not a can of sugar and stimulants.

Your health deserves better—ditch the energy drinks and fuel your day the natural way!