Sweet Escape: Top Diabetes Shops
Can’t eat sugar, pies, or honeybuns? You can still reconcile that sweet tooth with diabetes or other devilish dietary restrictions. By Alex Ling
Make a B Line
At Ms. B’s Cakery, you’ll find rows of hand-made baked goods adorned with vibrant detailing, like butterflies or decadent “diamond” toppers. The sky is the limit here, and the inventive creations are as accommodating as they are attractive. Need a cake that’s gluten- or sugar-free? No problem. Ms. B’s can whip up a guiltless indulgence made with root-vegetable flour and sugar-free substitutes, imported from Europe. Go for the sugar-free Marble Art cake ($920) if you want some eye candy, or the OMG Cake ($720), which is—you guessed it—so good you can’t help but go “OMG!”
39 Gough St., Central, 2815-8303, www.msbscakery.hk.
Sugar-free deliciousness from Ms. B’s Cakery
Greatest Hits
ParknShop’s Great Food Hall has all kinds of gourmet fine foods, and one of the best selections for those who are looking for sugar-free products. Explore the diabetic-friendly snacks, in particular the crispy, flavorful Gullón cookies. They come in two varieties—chocolate chips and soybean, or oats and orange—and they are packed with fiber sans any added sugar.
B2/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2918-9606.
Go, Go Gioia
Skip those MSG-heavy, oily eateries and head instead to Gioia by Chi, which opened up shop to help out health-conscious patrons who still crave pastries. They use a natural sweetener called Xylitol in their yogurt cakes to keep them low in sugar. Garnished with rose petals and pearl-like embellishments, Gloia’s signature cake the Damascus Rose ($43 per piece) is an aromatic, creamy yogurt mousse cake with strawberry-rose filling.
Shop A, 35 Nam Kok Rd., Prince Edward, 2718-6618, facebook.com/gioiabychi.
InIt to Win It
Devoted to injecting a little sweetness into the lives of diabetics, InItems Workshop stocks a great selection of sugar-free snacks and jams from overseas. The hottest item, Volcanic Nectar Blue Agave ($168), is a sweetener that’s derived from organic agave, making it low on the Glycemic Index and a natural alternative to the usual sugar substitutes. For enticing desserts, InItems sells multi-flavored cheesecakes ($368) and velvety smooth milk puddings ($25 per bottle)—all made fresh without added sugar.
Room R, 11/F, Haribest Industrial Building, 45-47 Au Pui Wan St., Fo Tan, 3698-1219, www.initems.com.
On the Plus Side
Beyond the usual Chinese and western supplements, local health food chain HealthPlus stocks dozens of diabetic-appropriate snacks, such as Sweet Angel sugar-free, low-calorie cookies and naturally sweet-and-savory Seeberger dried fruit and nut mixes. In addition to various brick-and-mortar stores, you can also score free shipping when you spend at least $400 online.
Unit B11A, Shun Tak Centre, Sheung Wan, 2559-8751, www.healthplus.com.hk.
Work it Out
Known for its professional cake-decorating courses, Andy’s Workshop also stocks high-quality sugar substitutes in store for aspiring bakers—including Weider Sweete, an all-natural sweetener. In addition, Andy’s also routinely hosts sugar-free and low-sugar dessert workshops, with dishes ranging from handmade ice cream to Japanese cheesecake to the classic chocolate mousse cake.
13/F, Tai Sang Bank Building, 784 Nathan Rd., 2393-3980, www.andys.com.hk.
Delicious offerings from Andy’s Workshop
Snack Attack
Snacking Bird flies all over the world to put together customized boxes of natural and organic snacks—which the company will then deliver straight to your home or office (from $160). The combinations of chewy fruit, nuts bars, vegan crackers and additive-free candies can be customized to meet your dietary needs. Choose from healthy snacks and desserts such as Tasty Brand organic gummies, sweetened with fruit juice; cheesy kale crisps, made with a vegan cashew cheese; or energy-packed Soma Bite chia and goji berry bars.
From $160. 5598-2060, www.snackingbird.com.
Snacking Bird boxes help you feel chirpy
Shorty You My Angel
Established in 2007, Angel of Diabetic sells all kinds of diabetes-friendly foods and supplements—from sugar-free snacks to cookies to candies, and even some mooncakes. Some popular picks include the Amber Lyn and Russell Stover sugar-free chocolates. For a little DIY indulgence, look for the Pillsbury brownie mix and Sans Sucre mousse mix, available in several flavors. Can’t find what you like? Join one of the regular snack workshops held at their center and make it yourself.
Unit 4, 2/F, Yat King House Lai King Estate, Kwai Chung, 8106-1088, www.aod.org.hk.