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Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to forgo the pleasure of a good biscuit with your cuppa.

Both Coles and Woolworths offer a selection of biscuits that are more suitable for those managing their blood sugar levels.

While these options are not entirely carb-free, they are crafted to have reduced sugar content and higher fibre, making them a better choice for occasional indulgence.

Plus, we compare sugar free and sugar-sweetened biscuits so you can really see the difference in choices.

What to Look for in Diabetic-Friendly Biscuits

When selecting biscuits, consider the following:

• Low Sugar Content: Aim for biscuits with minimal added sugars.
• Lower Carbohydrate Content: It’s not just sugar but overall carbohydrate content that can spike blood sugar so always check the labels for biscuits with lower carbohydrate counts.
• High Fibre: Fibre slows down glucose absorption, aiding in blood sugar control.
• Whole Grains: Whole grain ingredients can offer a lower glycaemic index.
• Portion Control: Even healthier biscuits are best enjoyed in moderation.

Diabetic Biscuit Options at Coles and Woolworths

Both Coles and Woolworths supermarkets stock diabetic biscuit options that cater to those seeking lower sugar options.

Gullon Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gullon sugar free biscuits come from Spain and they are relatively good for a processed sugar free food. They contain the sweeteners Maltitol (965) and Isomalt (953)—these are both sugar alcohols.

Both sweeteners are generally safe for diabetes, but maltitol has a higher glycaemic (GI) index (35) than isomalt (9) and while they are both considered low GI, maltitol can spike blood sugar in some people—just something to keep in mind if you try these biscuits.

These biscuits contain High Oleic Sunflower Oil, which is much better than generic vegetable oils that can promote inflammation.

Serving Size: 3 biscuits

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 130 | Carbs: 10.4g | Sugars: 0.1g | Fibre: 1.2g | Protein: 1.7g | Fat: 7g

Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Drops of Chocolate with Sweetener 25%, [Cocoa Mass, Sweetener (965), Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier (322 from Soy) and Flavour], Vegetable Oil (High Oleic Sunflower Oil 17%), Sweeteners (965, 953), Salt, Raising Agents (500, 503), Flavours.

Available: Coles and Woolworths.

Overview

Gullon sugar free biscuits come from Spain and they are relatively good for a processed sugar free food. They contain the sweeteners Maltitol (965) and Isomalt (953)—these are both sugar alcohols.

Both sweeteners are generally safe for diabetes, but maltitol has a higher glycaemic (GI) index (35) than isomalt (9) and while they are both considered low GI, maltitol can spike blood sugar in some people—just something to keep in mind if you try these biscuits.

These biscuits contain High Oleic Sunflower Oil, which is much better than generic vegetable oils that can promote inflammation. They also contain a reasonable amount of dietary fibre per serve.

✅ Diabetic Biscuits: Gullon Choc Chip Cookies get the tick of approval, for occasional consumption.

🎙️LISTEN: Safe Diabetes Sweeteners—Episode 49 Type 2 Diabetes Talk—on DMP Global

Gullon Cookies Sugar Free Short Bread

Serving Size: 5 biscuits

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 149 | Carbs: 16.5g | Sugars: 0.2g | Fibre: 0.4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5.9g

Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil (High Oleic Sunflower Oil) 18%, Sweeteners (965, 953), Vegetable Fibre, Raising Agents (500, 503), Salt, Milk Decoration Milk protein, Wheat Dextrose, Vegetable Oil, Vanilla Flavour.

❌ Diabetic Biscuits: At 16.5g carbs per serve and low in fibre, these cookies don’t pass the carb test, unless they are eaten in smaller portions than recommended on the label. 3 biscuits would be 9.9g carbs, which would be a better portion to eat.

Available: Woolworths.

Coles I’M Free From 97% Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Coles I’M Free From 97% Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies are another option. But, one biscuit is 10g carbs, which is not as indulgent as the Gullon Choc Chip Cookies and they are low in fibre and protein.

Serving Size: 1 biscuit

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 178 | Carbs: 10g | Sugars: 0.2g | Fibre: 0.4g | Protein: 0.64g | Fat: 4.29g

Ingredients: Gluten Free Flour [Maize Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Rice Flour, Sorghum Flour, Soy Flour, Thickener (Xanthan Gum, Guar, 464), Emulsifier (Lecithin (Soy)), Potato Starch], Sweetener [Maltitol, Isomalt, Stevia], Dark Chocolate Chips (18%) [Sweetener (Maltitol), Cocoa Mass, Emulsifier (Lecithin (Soy), 476), Natural Vanilla Flavour], Butter (18%) (Milk), Desiccated Coconut, Baking Powder [Raising Agent (450, 500)], Natural Flavour, Egg Powder, Iodised Salt.

✅❌ Diabetic Biscuits: These get a tick and a cross, as you need to pay close attention to portions. With only one biscuit per serve, you could easily push your limit without knowing it. One benefit is these are a gluten free option, for those needing a GF option. Just be sure to stick to one biscuit only.

Noshu 98% Sugar Free Choc Chip Cookies Mix

If you’re up for a bit of baking, Noshu has some choc chip cookies you can make.

Serving Size: 1 biscuit

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 467 | Carbs: 8g | Sugars: 0.5g | Fibre: 6.1g | Protein: 12.9g | Fat: 5.5g

Ingredients: Oat Flour, Chickpea Flour, Soluble Corn Fibre, Polydextrose, Non GMO Xylitol, Choc Chips (10%) (Vegetable Fat, Non GMO Maltitol (<3%), Soy Protein Isolate, Cocoa Powder, Soy Lecithin), Resistant Starch, Bicarbonate Soda, Guar Gum, Natural Flavours, Steviol Glycosides (Stevia).

✅ Diabetic Biscuits: These cookies get the tick of approval, for occasional consumption. These are high in fibre and protein, but again, be mindful of portions and stick to one biscuit only.

🍪 Nutritional Comparison of Popular Sweet Biscuits in Australia

Biscuit	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)	Fibre (g)	Protein (g)	Fat (g)
Arnott’s Scotch Finger	1 biscuit (18g)	88	11.7	3.0	0.4	1.0	4.0
Oreo Original	3 biscuits (27.6g)	135	19.4	10.5	0.6	1.3	5.7
McVitie’s Digestive Milk Chocolate	1 biscuit (16.7g)	83	10.4	5.1	0.5	1.1	3.9
Coles Chocolate Chip Cookie	1 cookie (25g)	125	17.2	10.7	0.7	1.1	5.6
Arnott’s Tim Tam Original	1 biscuit (18.3g)	95	11.8	8.2	0.4	0.9	4.9

As you can see from the table above, regular sugar-sweetened biscuits can range in carbohydrates but they are generally a lot more carbs per serve. You can also see the sugars rise in these products, which is not surprising since they contain ‘added sugar.’

Certainly, when you compare the sugar free biscuit options, your blood sugar is going to be much happier eating Gullon, Noshu or Coles I’M Free From, than eating Oreos, Tim Tam’s or Scotch Finger biscuits!

Final Thoughts

While it’s essential to monitor carbohydrate intake when living with diabetes, enjoying a biscuit occasionally is possible with mindful choices.

Always read the nutritional labels, be aware of portion sizes, and be careful biscuits don’t become an everyday treat.

Just keep in mind that even diabetic-friendly biscuits are a processed food, so enjoying them in moderation is key.

But who doesn’t love a cuppa and biscuit – enjoy!