12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (2024)

Those afflicted with type 1 or type 2 diabetes know all too well how complicated a simple decision like, what should I have for dinner? can be. Terms like "carb counting" and "glycemic index" are top of mind here, but they're taken into consideration in very different ways depending on the type of condition—and the diabetic.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. It has no cure. With type 2, one's body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough of it to maintain normal glucose levels. Losing weight, eating well, and exercising can all help manage and even reverse type 2 diabetes.

In either case, blood sugar management is key. It's too easy to get bogged down trying to find the perfect foods for keeping your blood sugar in check, which is why we wanted to do the heavy lifting for you. These nutrient-rich recipes, created by the Real Simple food department with guidance from diabetes experts George L. King, MD, and Jackie Mills, RD, are carb-smart and high in flavor.

01of 12

Avocado and Raita Toast with Boiled Egg

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (1)

Raita, an Indian yogurt sauce made by combining yogurt with chopped cucumber, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, is an unexpected yet tasty topping for toast. Finish the grab-and-go breakfast with a layer of creamy avocado and chopped fresh mint. Serve with a boiled egg to boost the amount of protein.

Get the recipe.

02of 12

Chicken, Spinach, Pear, Celery, and Parsley Salad

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (2)

To create a more nutritious salad, use baby spinach instead of iceberg or romaine lettuce. Top the greens with cooked chicken breast, pear (or apple), celery, parsley, and walnuts. Then, toss the salad with a bright lemon vinaigrette.

Get the recipe.

03of 12

Salmon, Fennel, and Onion Kebab with Parsley Caper Sauce Over Farro

You don't need a grill to make these incredibly tasty (and healthy) kebabs. Instead, thread salmon, fennel, and onion onto skewers and broil, turning once, until the salmon is opaque throughout and the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 7 to 9 minutes. Serve with a flavorful lemon caper sauce and a nutty grain, like farro.

Get the recipe.

04of 12

Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Mac-and-Cheese

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (4)

If you're looking for a healthier spin on the classic, consider this veggie-packed mac-and-cheese your new go-to. In the colder months, opt for roasted winter squash and red onion.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Mac-and-Cheese

05of 12

Cream Cheese, Caraway, and Rye Toast With Boiled Egg

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (5)

Neufchâtel is a soft, moist, and slightly crumbly French cheese that's typically found in the dairy aisle of your local grocery store. If you're having trouble finding it, cream cheese is a great substitute. To make this quick breakfast, top the bread with the Neufchâtel, avocado, lemon juice, caraway seeds, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.

Get the recipe.

06of 12

Chicken, Watercress, Mango, Scallion, and Mint Salad

You won't dirty any pots and pans making this salad: Toss together the chicken, watercress, mango, scallion, mint, cashews, vinegar, oil, and seasonings in the same bowl you'll eat out of. To make the 20-minute meal even easier to prep, buy pre-cooked chicken breasts at the supermarket.

Get the recipe.

07of 12

Mustard, Avocado, and Dill on a Whole-Wheat English Muffin with Boiled Egg

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (7)

If you can spare just five minutes in the morning, you can make this healthy, nutrient-rich breakfast. Simply top a whole-wheat English muffin with whole-grain mustard, avocado slices, and fresh dill. Round out the meal with a boiled egg.

Get the recipe.

08of 12

Chicken, Baby Kale, Tomato, Cucumber, Pistachio, and Chive Salad

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (8)

Sick of spinach? This delicious main-course salad stars kale, a nutritional powerhouse. Make your own in just 20 minutes, by tossing the kale with chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, chives, pistachios, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. To make the kale easier to chew, massage the leaves with clean hands before eating.

Get the recipe.

09of 12

Salmon, Napa Cabbage, and Shallot Kebabs with Dill and Fennel-Seed Sauce Over Bulgur

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (9)

Alternating, thread large cubes of salmon, cabbage, and shallots onto wooden skewers. To prevent the ends of the skewers from burning under the broiler, soak the skewers in water for 15 minutes before making the kebabs or wrap the ends in foil after skewering. Serve over bulgur with a homemade fennel-seed sauce.

Get the recipe.

10of 12

Halibut, Mushroom, and Scallion Kebabs Over Brown Rice with Spicy Cilantro Sauce

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (10)

Halibut, a lean and flaky white fish, is a good choice for serving a crowd because it has a mild flavor that appeals to a wide variety of tastes. When entertaining, save time by assembling the kebabs up to 12 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to start cooking.

Get the recipe.

11of 12

Strawberry, Chocolate, and Peanut Sundae

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (11)

Top vanilla frozen yogurt with shaved chocolate, sliced bananas, chopped peanuts, and a drizzle of homemade strawberry sauce, made by mashing and cooking frozen strawberries. If using fresh fruit, toss it with a teaspoon of maple syrup and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking.

Get the recipe.

12of 12

Flourless Chocolate Cake

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (12)

Finely chopped pitted prunes stand in as a substitute for a portion of the fat in this recipe, making this decadent dessert more healthful without altering the taste. If you prefer a sweeter, less intensely rich cake, replace the bittersweet chocolate with additional semisweet chocolate.

Get the recipe.

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a perfect diabetic meal? ›

The Plate Method

Fill half with nonstarchy vegetables, such as salad, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots. Fill one quarter with a lean protein, such as chicken, turkey, beans, tofu, or eggs. Fill one quarter with carb foods.

What are the 10 best foods for a diabetic? ›

What are the healthiest foods for a person with type 2 diabetes?
  • Sweet potatoes. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Salmon. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Quinoa. Quinoa is a nutrient-rich seed that is often referred to as an ancient grain.

What foods can Type 2 diabetics eat freely? ›

Nonstarchy vegetables—such as leafy greens, peppers, carrots, or green beans—should make up half of your plate. Carb foods that are high in fiber—such as brown rice, whole grains, beans, or fruits—should make up one-quarter of your plate.

What are the 5 super foods for diabetics? ›

What superstar foods are good for diabetes?
  • Beans. Kidney, pinto, navy or black beans are packed with vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and potassium. ...
  • Dark green leafy vegetables. ...
  • Citrus fruit. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Whole grains.

What is the most important meal of the day for a diabetic? ›

Eating a healthy breakfast is important for everyone, especially for people who have diabetes. A morning meal can help keep blood sugar steady throughout the day.

What should diabetics drink first thing in the morning? ›

Drinking enough water is important for everyone, but it's especially important for people with diabetes. Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast? ›

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What drink lowers blood sugar? ›

Water. It's tough to argue with water since it's calorie-free. But it also provides something important for blood sugar control: hydration. Drinking plain water is linked to a 6% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, finds a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews ...

What can a diabetic eat unlimited amounts of? ›

Non-starchy vegetables are typically one food choice you can eat in unlimited amounts. Load up when you can to help to keep you full. Sweets: The American Heart Association suggests that the max amount of added sugars per day be limited to: Men: 150 cal per day (37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons).

How do you feel when your blood sugar is too high? ›

increased thirst and a dry mouth. needing to pee frequently. tiredness. blurred vision.

What can a diabetic eat with no sugar? ›

Diabetes-Friendly Foods to Focus On:
  • Fish and shellfish.
  • Poultry.
  • Unsweetened dairy (yogurt, kefir)
  • Nuts and seeds, including nut butters without any added sugars.
  • Beans and lentils.
  • Eggs.
  • Avocado.
  • Olives and olive oil.
Mar 25, 2023

Are Cheerios good for diabetics? ›

Are Cheerios okay for diabetics? Cheerios have a GI rating of 74, which classifies them as a high GI breakfast cereal. A person with diabetes should consider other cereal options instead, such as wheat bran cereals like Kellogg's All-Bran and Post 100% Bran.

How many eggs can a diabetic eat in a day? ›

How Many Eggs Can People With Type 2 Diabetes Eat? Both research and health experts indicate that individuals living with type 2 diabetes, or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, can include between 6 - 12 eggs per week as part of an overall healthy diet. So you can enjoy up to 2 eggs, 6 times a week.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.

What are the three meals for diabetics? ›

Eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast followed by a substantial lunch and a small dinner — the so-called "three-meal diet" (3Mdiet) — promotes weight loss and significantly improves glucose control in type 2 diabetes, a randomized, controlled trial suggests.

What is the best food to eat when you have type 2 diabetes? ›

Mediterranean diet.

People with high blood sugar may have inflammation in their bodies, and reducing that inflammation may help prevent some of the long-term problems of diabetes. In the Mediterranean diet, you focus on lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts.

What 3 drinks should diabetics avoid? ›

What drinks should people with type 2 diabetes avoid?
  • Alcoholic drinks. While alcohol in strict moderation can be safe to drink for people with diabetes, it can cause damage due to its hypoglycemic effect and also high-calorie content. ...
  • Sports drinks/energy drinks. ...
  • Sweetened and unsweetened fruit juices. ...
  • Sodas. ...
  • Sweet tea.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 6149

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.