Mary Ellen Phipps, MPH, RDN, LD

Mary Ellen Phipps, MPH, RDN, LD

Mary Ellen Phipps, MPH, RDN, LD, the founder of Milk & Honey Nutrition, is a diabetes dietitian (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) renowned for combining her knowledge of diabetes and culinary expertise into easy-to-follow recipes and articles!

Overview

40 Top Gifts for Diabetes (All Occasions)

Article Overview

gifts for diabetes options gift guide

‘Tis the season for gift giving, and if you find yourself wondering what are the best gifts for diabetes, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll cover all of my favorite gift ideas to give your loved ones living with diabetes for any occasion. Plus, I’ve included some diabetes gift basket ideas with these goodies. And, I guarantee some of these gifts for diabetes are going to surprise you!

Gifts for a person with diabetes

There are a lot of different things to consider when thinking about buying anyone a gift… and especially when they’re living with a chronic condition like diabetes. The gifts listed below range from super practical to super fun and frivolous. Consider if the person you’re buying for would even want a gift related to diabetes or food, or something else… I’ve got lots of ideas to share with you! Keep scrolling or jump to a section that interests you most!

Diabetes gifts for all occasions

We’re definitely about to enter into prime time gift giving season, but the gifts below can be given anytime of year and for any occasion! So, make sure to come back and reference this list next time you need diabetes gifts for him, diabetes gifts for her, diabetes birthday gifts, house warming gifts, or any other type of gift for diabetes. 

What can you give someone with diabetes for Christmas?

Christmas gifts can often revolve around food, but that can be tricky if you don’t know what your friend or family member living with diabetes is comfortable eating. So, we’ve got lots of non-food gift ideas, as well as several food themed gifts and cookbooks featuring some amazing blood sugar friendly treats, snacks, and foods!

Birthday gifts for someone with diabetes

Birthday gifts can be a great time to treat someone to something they maybe wouldn’t buy for themselves.  Or, maybe a more personalized gift like some of the options below. 

40 Best gifts for diabetes

These are some of my favorite products, foods, and books to give to people with diabetes for any occasion. Read through this list of gifts for diabetes and then see below for some fun ways to package them up!

gifts for diabetes birthday holiday christmas

Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase a product after clicking the link… at no extra cost to you. 

  1. Egg cooker
  2. Ninja Kitchen Air fryer
  3. Cuisinart 11-cup food processor
  4. Ninja Kitchen Blender
  5. Vegetable slicer and chopper
  6. Extra large food storage containers
  7. Stasher bags
  8. Cusinart ice cream maker (new for 2023!)
  9. Wilton non-stick donut pan
  10. Silicone muffin pan
  11. Aluminized steel half sheet pan baking pans
  12. Cookie scoops
  13. Citrus zester
  14. Truvia Sweet Complete for Baking
  15. Popsicle molds
  16. Hand held stick milk frother
  17. RTIC/Yeti style coffee mug 
  18. Ninja Hot & Cold Brew System
  19. Simple Modern insulated 24oz tumbler
  20. Silicone ice cube trays
  21. Fun stainless steel straws
  22. Fun drink glasses
  23. Skinny Mixes drink mixes
  24. Stainless steel bento box
  25. JoJo’s dark chocolate peppermint pretzel bites
  26. Lily’s Chocolate Bars
  27. Good Measure bars
  28. 100% pure honey pouches
  29. Myabetic diabetes backpack or belt bag
  30. Freshly Picked park pack belt bag
  31. Medical alert bracelet
  32. Senita athletic wear
  33. Travel pouch for diabetes supplies
  34. Frio insulin cooling case
  35. Frio lifestyle cases (new for 2023!)
  36. Diabetes cookbooks
  37. SPIbelt diabetes belt bag
  38. Skin grip
  39. Expression med CGM and pump tapes
  40. Custom stuffed animals from Type One Together

Kitchen gifts for diabetes

kitchen gifts for people with diabetes

1. Egg Cooker

My life changed the day I got an egg cooker. This model comes in a 6 egg or 12 egg size and is such an easy and stress free way to have an easy protein source ready to go for the week ahead.

2. Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer

My favorite air fryer is the Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer. One of the main reasons I love having an air fryer is just how tasty and easy it is to cook veggies in it. Which means, we’re much more likely to eat our veggies!

3. Cuisinart 11-Cup Food Processor

A food processor is a must for anyone looking to make delicious healthy treats and recipes at home! And, this Cuisinart model is the best one on the market in my opinion. 

4. Ninja Kitchen Blender

A high powered blender can go a long way in getting the perfect texture for lower sugar and more blood sugar friendly smoothies at home… but, if you don’t like the high end price tag that comes with a Vitamix, this Ninja Kitchen model is amazing for half the price. 

5. Vegetable Slicer and Chopper

This vegetable chopper that went viral on TikTok earlier this year, offers another easy and fun kitchen tool to make preparing veggies way less time consuming and easier. 

6-7. Extra Large Food Storage Containers and Stasher Bags

Anyone looking to prepare more food at home or bake lower sugar treats at home will love these larger food storage containers and silicone bags to help keep everything from flours to beans to nuts fresher longer.

8. Cusinart Ice Cream Maker

A family member gave me this ice cream maker for my birthday this year, and I’m honestly wondering how I lived without it all this time! We had such a blast using this ice cream maker this past summer. Not only is it fun, but it also allows you to make some of the most delicious low sugar ice cream creations! And, it’s under $90!

Baking gifts for diabetes

baking gifts for diabetes

9. Wilton non-stick donut pan

One of my favorite recipes I’ve ever created was for healthy homemade cinnamon sugar donuts, but not all donut pans are created equal. The center well in the Wilton pan is high enough to actually make making healthier donuts at home possible!

cinnamon sugar donuts with cinnamon sticks made with truvia

Baked Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Donuts (Gluten-Free)

These donuts are warm, sweet, tasty, and made with just the right amount of spice!
View Recipe

10. Silicone muffin pan

And, muffins are such an easy and fun breakfast or dessert to make a low sugar version of at home. This silicone muffin pan from Target is the best I’ve found with hard edges and pliable wells so you don’t have to worry about using liners or greasing the pan. And, you can just throw it right in the dishwasher!

11-13. Baking pans, cookie scoops, and citrus zester

Being equipped with the right tools in the kitchen is half the battle of feeling confident in your ability to prepare delicious food while living with diabetes. Some of my favorite less expensive tools include: quality baking pans, cookie scoops, and a citrus zester. 

14. Truvia Sweet Complete

Truvia Sweet Complete is my favorite no-sugar all purpose sweetener. If you’re looking to help stock the pantry of a loved one with diabetes, this is a must!

15. Popsicle molds

And, even though it’s technically not baking, making lower sugar popsicles at home is so simple with these fun molds

Coffee gifts for diabetes

coffee supplies for low sugar coffee ninja hot and cold brew system, stick frother, rtic mug

Flavored and sweetened coffee drinks from your local coffee shop are not only expensive but also loaded with sugar typically. So, don’t forget about coffee supplies when looking for gifts for diabetes!

16. Handheld stick milk frother

A stick frother makes making lattes at home super easy.

17. RTIC/Yeti style coffee mug

And, everyone needs a good coffee mug to keep their drink nice and hot for longer. 

18. Ninja hot & cold brew system

But, probably my favorite gift in this bunch is the Ninja Hot & Cold Brew System. I’ve had mine for 4+ years and it’s still going strong. You can make pretty much any coffee drink imaginable without the high price tag of an espresso machine.  

And don’t forget to send them some of my favorite low sugar coffee reicpes:

apple crisp macchiato low sugar in white mug

Homemade Apple Crisp Macchiato (Starbucks copycat)

Try my lower sugar blood sugar friendly apple crisp macchiato for the perfect warm coffee drink to start your day!
View Recipe

Drinkware gifts for diabetes

drinkware for low sugar beverages

19. Simple Modern insulated 24oz tumbler

Staying hydrated while living with diabetes is essential, but who says it has to be boring? Grab your loved one with diabetes one of my favorite tumblers in a fun color or pattern. 

20. Silicone ice cube trays

Water can get pretty boring, so I love using these silicone ice cube trays to freeze frozen fruit and add them to my water. 

21. Fun stainless steel straws

And, because I refuse to use soggy paper straws, these stainless steel straws are the best!

22-23. Fun drink glasses and low sugar drink mixes

Believe it or not, cocktails are not off limits for people with diabetes, so gift your favorite person with diabetes some fun glasses and some low sugar drink mixes! (And then send them here to learn about how to enjoy alcohol safely while living with diabetes.)

pomegranate martini with orange liqueur

Pomegranate Martini with Orange Liqueur

This low sugar pomegranate martini with orange liqueur is the perfect light and refreshing cocktail!
View Recipe

Food gifts for people with diabetes

best food gifts for diabetics

24-25. Low sugar chocolate

If your friend with diabetes is a chocolate lover, I highly recommend the JoJo’s dark chocolate peppermint pretzel bites and Lily’s Chocolate Bars this time of year!

26. Good Measure nutrition bars

And, my favorite blood sugar friendly bars, Good Measure bars!

27. Mini honey pouches

Or, these mini honey pouches are perfect for treating low blood sugars on the go!

Clothes and accessories for people with diabetes

clothes for people with with diabetes, senita exercise clothes, myabetic backpack, freshley picked park pack, medical ID bracelet

Who says diabetes gear can’t be fashionable?? Or, that you have to buy accessories specifically for diabetes? The products below are a combination of accessories made specifically for people with diabetes and items I’ve found over the years that just so happen to unintentionally work perfectly for living with diabetes!

28. Myabetic diabetes bags

Myabetic products are perfect for a mom with a child with diabetes or someone with diabetes who loves to be on the go!

29. Freshly Picked Park Pack belt bag

I personally have this belt bag and use it anytime I’m on the go and need to have my hands free throughout the day. It’s technically a small diaper bag so it’s lined with water resistant fabric and has a ton of space and pockets… perfect for carrying insulin, low blood sugar supplies and more. 

30. Medical alert bracelet

Everyone with diabetes should wear some form of a medical alert tag. So, why not make it fashionable? American Medical ID makes some great options and you can use code MILKNHONEY for 10% off.

31. Senita athletic wear

And finally, Senita is an athletic wear company founded by a woman living with type 1 diabetes who understands the need for pockets in workout gear! Everything form sports bras, to tops, to leggings has all the pockets needed for diabetes gear. And, not to mention the designs are so fun!

Travel gifts for diabetes

travel gifts for people with diabetes

32. Travel supply bag

While not intended for people with diabetes, this travel toiletry bag can fit so much stuff… including all the diabetes supplies needed for a trip! 

33. Frio insulin cooling pouch

And, if your friend or loved one is on injections, these insulin cooling cases don’t require an ice pack and work so well at keeping insulin temp stable. 

34. Frio lifestyle medication cooling pouch

Yes, this is the same brand and style product as the insulin cooling pouches listed above, but this lifestyle line is specifically made to look like a makeup bag or any other cosmetic bag, and it has a zipper closure instead of velcro.

Diabetes cookbooks

the easy diabetes cookbook and the easy diabetes desserts cookbook

35-36. My cookbooks

Now, obviously I’ve got a bit of a vested interest in promoting my cookbooks, but gifting them as a set to your favorite person living with diabetes would make such a great gift!

Diabetes gifts for kids

best gifts for kids with diabetes

Kids living with diabetes often need a lot of extra stuff to carry their supplies or keep diabetes devices close to them, but there are so many ways to make these things fun and exciting and less medical feeling!

37. SPIbelts

SPIbelts are perfect for small kids who are too young to know to carry a CGM or pump receiver around with them. They come in some super fun colors and designs. 

38-39. CGM and insulin pump tapes

Both Skingrip and Expression Med offer some fun overpatch tapes for CGMs and insulin pump sites.

40. Type One Together custom stuffed animals

Probably my favorite of all of these is the custom stuffed animals from Type One Together. You pick your animal and the devices it wears and they custom make a stuffed animal for you or your child! I got my nephew a dinosaur who wears a Dexcom and Omnipod just like he does last year for Christmas and he loved it!

Diabetes gift basket ideas

Now that we’ve gone through my list of top individual gifts, here’s some fun ways to combine them into themed diabetes gift baskets!

1. Blood sugar friendly coffee basket

Pair a few bags of your favorite coffee with a hand held stick milk frother and an RTIC/Yeti style coffee mug. And, you can even add in your favorite no-sugar sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.

latte in glass coffee cup with whipped cream and caramel sauce energy boost for diabetes

Low Sugar Caramel Brûlée Latte 

If you’re looking for a delicious low sugar version of your favorite caramel brûlée latte this is the recipe for you!
View Recipe

2. Baking for diabetes basket

Put together a fun baking basket with all the supplies needed to make blood sugar friendly treats at home!

low sugar gluten free apple crisp

Low Sugar Gluten Free Apple Crisp

View Recipe

3. Low sugar margarita basket

Making low sugar cocktails can be a fun night in at home! And, make sure to use my go to low sugar margarita recipe!

two skinny margaritas with lime wedges on cutting board

The Best 5-ingredient Skinny Margarita

My simple 5 ingredient skinny margarita is so refreshing and delicious! 
View Recipe

Diabetes care package ideas

While the gift baskets above are more fun oriented, there’s also occasions for more practical care packages like these ideas.

1. Low blood sugar supply box

A low blood sugar supply box is a great thoughtful and practical gift for someone who’s just been diagnosed with diabetes. Grab an inexpensive basket from your local dollar store and fill it with some low blood sugar treatment options

low blood sugar supplies for gifts for diabetes

2. Travel with diabetes kit

Traveling with diabetes is an adventure in and of itself. Fill this travel pouch for diabetes supplies with any of the following:

frio insulin cooling pouch

3. Care package for a child just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

Children who’ve just been diagnosed and their parents often need all the help they can get. And while you may not be equipped to help with day-to-day management, you can certainly send a care package to bring a smile to their faces. Try combining the following into a fun basket.

type one together diabuddies dinosaur gift for diabetes kid

4. Blood sugar friendly snacks

And finally, one of my favorite ideas for gifts for diabetes is to combine a bunch of blood sugar friendly snacks into one basket. This allows your loved one to sample an assortment of fun and tasty snacks and decide what they like best! Use this blog post with 60+ options for ideas!

list of best packaged snacks for diabetes

Want more tips for living and eating with diabetes? Make sure to sign up for my bi-monthly email newsletter!

This article has been updated since it’s original publish date in October 2022.

More to explore...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Balance blood sugars optin

Get a Free Guide on Balancing Blood Sugar with Fat, Fiber & Protein

*By entering your email, you also agree to receive our newsletter. Unsubscribe at any time.

This site uses cookies to help improve your user experience. You acknowledge your acceptance by clicking Accept. Read our Privacy Policy here.