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What can I offer with coffee rather than cakes and biscuits?

(82 Posts)
teabagwoman Sat 17-Jan-26 10:55:14

I have good friends who come and have coffee at my home because they know my deafness makes it difficult for me to follow conversations in cafes etc. because of the background noise. I’m very grateful for this and always try to offer nice cake or biscuits with the coffee. However more and more of my friends are having to eschew such things due to diabetes, heart disease etc. what can I offer instead? I’d like it to feel like a bit of a treat. Any suggestions?

AGAA4 Sat 17-Jan-26 11:03:25

Perhaps some blinis topped with smoked salmon, cheese or other savouries.

shysal Sat 17-Jan-26 11:23:00

Fruit or nuts?

JackyB Sat 17-Jan-26 11:28:03

Cucumber sandwiches?

JackyB Sat 17-Jan-26 11:28:36

Cheese and crackers?

Basgetti Sat 17-Jan-26 11:34:02

Bagels?

Magenta8 Sat 17-Jan-26 11:36:33

You can buy sugar free sweet biscuits. I have never tried them so I don't know what they are like. Diabetics have to watch carbs and fats as well so savoury options are not always ideal.

Lathyrus3 Sat 17-Jan-26 11:42:55

Bruschetta? My favourite 😊

J52 Sat 17-Jan-26 11:50:18

Bite size merengues with fruit.

MollyNew Sat 17-Jan-26 11:52:51

Oatcakes? Nairn's do a nice variety which you could eat on their own or with toppings.

Oreo Sat 17-Jan-26 12:07:12

I think the best course of action is to ask them what they’d like,
They may look forward to a little treat of cake or nice biscuits, it’s not happening every day at your place I assume?

CariadAgain Sat 17-Jan-26 12:24:14

Smorgasbord? Selection of cheeses, savoury type biscuits/oatcakes, selection of fruits.

You are being considerate indeed to take account of their needs.

Magenta8 Sat 17-Jan-26 12:33:02

I agree Oreo. Perhaps provide alternatives for those with special dietary needs and those wanting treats.

CariadAgain Sat 17-Jan-26 12:36:06

Picky plates.

There's an Facebook group called "Quick and healthy recipe ideas (by Hungry Healthy Happy)" and she shares how she feeds her family. There's a variety of savoury and sweet ideas - though I'd say she majors in the savoury ones.

She's after a healthy/quick/easy way of eating and hence her way of eating is very much "bits and pieces" and there's a lot of emphasis on her family individually helping themselves.

Fallingstar Sat 17-Jan-26 13:23:10

Dates, savoury nibbles/nuts, and fruit.

teabagwoman Sat 17-Jan-26 13:27:07

Thank you all for your help. Oreo, I tried asking but my friends, aware that I’ve had a lot of serious health problems overv the years, answered along the you don’t have to provide anything lines.

I like the idea of a smorgasbord, I’ll have to work on my food presentation skills though. Cariadagain , I’ve had a look at that FB group and asked to join. Hopefully other peoples pictures may help with my food presentation.

Norah Sat 17-Jan-26 13:40:15

Nibbles.

Cheese, nuts, dried fruit. I spice and roast chickpeas. I also make baked cheese crisps for people who tolerate cheese.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4QB6x9Hqhw9R8kHp0mpTTgJ/brionys-simple-1-ingredient-cheese-crisps

hungryhealthyhappy.com/roasted-chickpeas/

Rocketstop2 Sat 17-Jan-26 13:54:57

fruit salad and lower fat croissants ?

JamesandJon33 Sat 17-Jan-26 14:36:23

Many people think limiting sugar is all a diabetic needs, when carbohydrates are similarly bad for them. Carbs change to sugar in the blood. Also many fruits are very sugary. So it is quite difficult to find something , of a treat , that will go with coffee.
For snacks I eat olives, nuts and cheese, with berries and sliced apple. Not an ideal combination with a cup of coffee. But if you cook teabagwoman there are numerous diabetic and low carb receipts on line. From a sponge cake ( coconut flour) date and pear brownies ( no sugar) to little fruit muffins.
Just take a minute to look and you will find something very acceptable treats. Goodluck

Tenko Sat 17-Jan-26 14:59:35

My yoga class is held at someone’s house and the host kindly provides coffee and cake after the class . She also provide slices of fruit as an alternative.

labazs Sat 17-Jan-26 16:51:03

maybe some posh crisps in bowls? so they can nibble at them.
cheese straws either bought or they are really easy to make
savoury biscuits you can get a box of assorted ones; places like Marks and Spencers have nice ones or Waitrose but Aldi has nice things too

NotSpaghetti Sat 17-Jan-26 16:51:04

Given that people with diabetes have to be careful (not abstinent) can you buy tiny things which would still be a treat?

Or something like these which are delicious if you don't have a sweet tooth...

nairns.com/our-range/oat-biscuits/dark-chocolate-chip-oat-biscuits

crazyH Sat 17-Jan-26 16:53:59

Bread-sticks and dips ??

M0nica Sat 17-Jan-26 18:40:07

Sausage rolls

Llamas99 Sat 17-Jan-26 18:49:07

My husband (diabetic) loved celery sticks stuffed with a little peanut butter. I would put a few raisins on each one. I kept bags of raw veggies in fridge. Maybe these are not 'coffee' snacks but when very cold they are very refreshing!