Halloween and the Diabetic

With Halloween only a little over a week away I thought 
I should share this story with you.  It is written by a DR.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 9, I was 
devastated when Halloween came around. Before then it was 
the only time of year that I ever ate candy (I wasn't a 
big candy person). That year I still dressed in costume 
and went from house to house with my brother to get him 
more candy, but I got to keep the pennies and dimes the 
old ladies would give us. 

As I went to our neighbor's house to trick-or-treat I
discovered they had gone out and specifically bought 
some sugar-free candy just for me. Diabetes was still 
new to my family and we had no idea that sugar-free candy 
was even available. It was the greatest feeling to be able 
to enjoy Halloween and trick-or-treating like in the past. 

Today, kids with diabetes can enjoy candy on Halloween 
just the same. I recently went to pick myself up some 
sugar-free candy and I just can't believe the variety 
of candy specifically for diabetics... for Halloween. 

Halloween is just as fun as it ever was and I was glad. 
We all know what a little treat can do for your spirits. 

But be warned... too much sugar-free candy can have a 
laxative effect so go easy on the stuff. 

                     Diabetic Recipe

               Jack-O-Lantern Pizza Crisps

                   (makes 6 servings)

6 10-inch (15 cm) fat-free flour tortillas
refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray
6 tablespoons (30 g) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon (5 ml) crushed dried Italian herbs

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C, Gas Mark 4).

2. Using a jack-o-lantern shaped Halloween cookie cutter, 
cut the tortillas into pumpkin shapes. Lay cutouts slight-
ly apart on 2 large baking sheets. 

3. Spray each jack-o-lantern with cooking spray. Combine 
Parmesan cheese and herbs; sprinkle evenly onto each 
cutout. 

4. Bake for 15 minutes, until crisp and golden, switching 
the pan positions after 8 minutes. Transfer to a cooling 
rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Per serving: 162 calories (11% calories from fat), 
             6 g protein, 2 g total fat (1.2 g saturated 
             fat), 1 g dietary fiber, 5 mg cholesterol, 
             528 mg sodium 

Diabetic exchanges: 2 carbohydrate (bread/starch)