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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Chicken, Watercress, Mango, Scallion, and Mint Salad

12 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes (6)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 meals can diabetics eat freely? ›

Dinner ideas when you have diabetes
  • lasagne and salad.
  • roast chicken and vegetables, with or without potatoes.
  • beef stir-fry and vegetables, with or without brown rice.
  • chicken tortillas and salad.
  • salmon and vegetables, with or without noodles.
  • curry with chickpeas and brown rice.

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 5 super foods for diabetics? ›

5 Superfoods to Lower Your Blood Sugar
  • Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. ...
  • Go nuts. That's right—go ahead and snack on almonds, cashews or even pistachios. ...
  • Leafy greens. ...
  • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
  • Whole grains.

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 should diabetics drink first thing in the morning? ›

Water is the best all-round drink. If your family likes flavoured waters, make your own by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or strawberries.

Can diabetics eat spaghetti? ›

People with diabetes can include pasta as part of a healthy diet. However, they should choose whole grain varieties and be mindful of their portion size. A person can use the Plate Method, carb counting, or half-cup measurements to determine how much pasta they eat.

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.

Is rotisserie chicken ok for diabetics? ›

Chicken is one of the most budget-friendly and diabetes-friendly meats available. It's also easy to prepare and tasty, too! Having cooked chicken on hand makes preparing protein-packed meals a cinch. Precooked rotisserie chickens are widely available, but the sodium content is usually very high.

What drink lowers blood sugar? ›

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

What food is the number one enemy of diabetes? ›

You avoid eating simple carbs (such as sweets), saturated fats, and most meat-based protein. The diet can be hard for some people to follow for a long time because it's very low-fat (less than 10% of your daily calories), but you can find some meal plans with a bit more flexibility.

What food quickly lowers blood sugar? ›

Foods with a low glycemic index (GI) may help people lower or manage their blood sugar levels. Examples include whole grains, nuts, legumes, some fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and lean proteins.

Which nuts should diabetics avoid? ›

Nuts can make a simple snack. Most are safe to eat raw, and they are available in many grocery stores. People with diabetes should avoid salted varieties.

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

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

Can diabetics eat pizza? ›

In moderation, people living with diabetes can safely enjoy all types of foods that are often viewed as “unhealthy”, including yummy pizza. As long as these foods are part of a nutrient-dense, balanced meal plan, you are welcome to it!

How can I satisfy my diabetic hunger? ›

If you're feeling hungry after dinner, try drinking a glass of water first. Sometimes thirst mimics hunger. If you're still feeling hungry, your best bet is a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie snack, preferably one that's high in protein or fiber, such as Greek yogurt or a small handful of nuts.

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 foods reduce blood sugar quickly? ›

Foods with a low glycemic index (GI) may help people lower or manage their blood sugar levels. Examples include whole grains, nuts, legumes, some fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and lean proteins.

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