Best Diabetic Recipes (2024)

Need easy recipes for dinner? Hereare 3 of our best diabetic recipes.

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be wondering what foods should stay in your diet and which ones need to go. The good news is, you can still enjoy so many foods and there are literally thousands of easy diabetic recipes at your fingertips between this website, cookbooks, bloggers and more. From diabetic friendly dinner recipes to easy breakfast options and amazing side dishes, you will quickly learn which foods won’t negatively affect your glucose levels as you learn the best diabetic recipes.

Two tips to help you get started with it comes to choosing the best diabetic recipes to add to your meal planning rolodex is learning more about carbohydrates, and digging in deep when it comes to certain food groups. For instance, you will want to educate yourself on the different types of carbohydrates and which foods they can be found in. Plus, learning about how certain carbohydrates can affect how much insulin is in your body will open to your eyes to the best diabetic food options. Next, discover different food groups and make a handy list about the best and worst foods for diabetes in that food group. Over time, you will know that list like the back of your hand, and you will be making healthier food options every day.

Now that you learned a few tips on determining which foods may and may not work for you, let’s dig into three easy diabetic recipes you might want to add to your culinary repertoire:

Steak, Shiitake, and Bok Choy Stir-Fry

Bring a taste of the Orient to your lunch or dinner table with this delicious Steak, Shiitake and Bok Choy Stir-Fry recipe. Mushrooms are always an ideal addition to any diabetic recipe, as they contain little to no sugar. Plus, fresh ginger and garlic contained in this recipe can offer a variety of additional health benefits.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

2 tablespoonsgrated fresh ginger

1 tablespoonminced fresh garlic

3 tablespoonslow-sodium soy sauce

4 teaspoonscornstarch, divided

1 teaspoontoasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspooncrushed red pepper

1 poundflank steak, trimmed and thinly sliced

Cooking spray

2 cupsthinly sliced shiitake mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)

1 cupthinly vertically sliced onion

1 cupred bell pepper strips

4 cupssliced bok choy (about 1 medium head)

1 cupless-sodium beef broth

Directions

Mix ginger, garlic, soy sauce, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, oil, and crushed red pepper in a large zip-lock bag; add steak. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 20 minutes.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray, and add mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper. Cook 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; transfer to a large bowl. Add bok choy to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until slightly wilted; add to bowl; keep warm.

Recoat pan with cooking spray. Add half of steak mixture to pan; cook 3 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a large bowl; keep warm. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add remaining steak mixture to pan; cook 3 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Add to bowl; keep warm.

Mix broth and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch, stirring with a whisk. Add to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Return steak and vegetables to pan; toss gently to coat.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories270

Calories from fat30 %

Fat9 g

Satfat3.1 g

Monofat3.2 g

Polyfat1 g

Protein28.6 g

Carbohydrate16.9 g

Fiber3.4 g

Cholesterol45 mg

Iron4.5 mg

Sodium706 mg

Calcium244 mg

Broiled Red Snapper with Sicilian Tomato Pesto

Another terrific diabetic friendly dinner recipe is this Red Snapper with Tomato Pesto combination. Be sure to stick with plum tomatoes or you take the chance of runny pesto from juicer tomato options.

Ingredients for 6 Servings

PESTO:

2 cupsbasil leaves

2 tablespoonspine nuts, toasted

2 tablespoonsextravirgin olive oil

2garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup(1 ounce) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1/8 teaspooncrushed red pepper

1 1/2 cupschopped plum tomato (about 3 medium)

1/2 teaspoonsalt

1/2 teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper

FISH:

6(6-ounce) red snapper or other firm whitefish fillets

1/4 teaspoonsalt

Cooking spray

REMAINING INGREDIENT:

3 cupshot cooked orzo

Directions

To make pesto, combine first 4 ingredients in a food processor; process until texture is smooth. Add cheese and red pepper; process until blended. Transfer mixture into a bowl. Add tomato, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper, stirring lightly to combine.

Preheat your broiler.

Srinkle fish with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Arrange fish on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray, and broil 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Place 1/2 cup orzo on each of 6 plates, and top each serving with 1 fillet and 1/4 cup pesto.

Nutritional Info

Calories437

Caloriesfromfat22 %

Fat10.8 g

Satfat2.4 g

Monofat4.8 g

Polyfat2 g

Protein44.9 g

Carbohydrate38.9 g

Fiber3.1 g

Cholesterol67 mg

Iron2.9 mg

Sodium497 mg

Calcium156 mg

Herb and Goat Cheese Omelet

Breakfast foods aren’t just for morning anymore, and if you love a good omelet any time of the day, you will go wild for this easy diabetic recipe made with herbs and goat cheese.

Ingredients

4large eggs

1 tablespoonwater

1/4 teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper, divided

1/8 teaspoonsalt

1 teaspoonchopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoonchopped fresh tarragon

1/4 cup(1 ounce) crumbled goat cheese

2 teaspoonsolive oil, divided

1/2 cupthinly sliced zucchini

1/2 cup(3 x 1/4–inch) julienne-cut red bell pepper

Dash of salt

1 teaspoonchopped fresh chives

Directions

Mix eggs and 1 tablespoon water in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. In a separate bowl, combine parsley, tarragon, and goat cheese.

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper, zucchini, bell pepper, and dash of salt to pan; cook for 4 minutes or until tender. Remove zucchini mixture from pan; cover and keep warm.

Place 1/2 teaspoon oil in skillet. Pour half of the egg mixture into pan, and let egg mixture set slightly (do not stir). Carefully loosen set edges of omelet with a spatula, tipping the pan to pour uncooked egg to the sides. Continue this procedure for about 5 seconds or until almost no runny egg remains. Sprinkle half of cheese mixture evenly over omelet; cook omelet 1 minute or until set. Slide omelet onto plate, folding into thirds. Repeat procedure with remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil, egg mixture, and goat cheese mixture. Sprinkle chives over omelets. Serve with zucchini mixture.

Nutrition Information

Calories233

Fat17.6 g

Satfat5.8 g

Monofat7.8 g

Polyfat2 g

Protein16 g

Carbohydrate3.6 g

Fiber1 g

Cholesterol430 mg

Iron2.5 mg

Sodium416 mg

Calcium84 mg

Resources:

Steak, Shiitake and Bok Choy Stir-Fry recipe

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/broiled-red-snapper-with-sicilian-tomato-pesto

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/herb-goat-cheese-omelet

Best Diabetic Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 super foods for diabetics? ›

Say yes to these 10 choices the American Diabetes Association calls “diabetes superfoods”:
  • Berries. ...
  • Skim milk and fat-free yogurt. ...
  • Citrus fruits. ...
  • Sweet potatoes. ...
  • Whole grains. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Dark Green Leafy Vegetables. ...
  • Beans.
Sep 27, 2023

What is the most important meal for a diabetic? ›

Summary. If you have diabetes, eating a balanced breakfast that's low in carbohydrates can help you manage your blood sugar levels. Your meal should include lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, and non-starchy vegetables. These can help to give your body energy while balancing out your blood sugar to begin your day.

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 foods can a diabetic eat all they want? ›

Eating the right foods for diabetes means eating a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups:
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Whole grains, such as whole wheat, brown rice, barley, quinoa, and oats.
  • Proteins, such as lean meats, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, lentils, and tofu.
Mar 15, 2024

What are the 5 best foods for diabetics? ›

The list of foods below are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber that are good for overall health and may also help prevent disease.
  • Beans. ...
  • Dark green leafy vegetables. ...
  • Citrus fruit. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Whole grains.

What is the one food that can stop diabetes? ›

5 Foods People Should Eat Every Day to Help Prevent Diabetes
  • Nuts.
  • Oatmeal.
  • Fruits.
  • Vegetables.
  • Legumes.
Apr 24, 2024

What should a diabetic eat first thing in the morning? ›

Suitable options include smoothies, oatmeal, eggs, and fruit. Sourdough and other breads can also be a healthy addition. Breakfast is an essential meal. Research shows that people with diabetes who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat throughout the day.

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.

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 can diabetics eat an unlimited amount 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).

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.

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 do diabetics eat when they crave sugar? ›

8 sweet snacks safe for diabetics:
  • Cocoa nut butter. Cocoa powder is a great addition to your diet. ...
  • Chia pudding. Chia pudding is another great addition to your diet thanks to its numerous health benefits. ...
  • Apple & nut butter. ...
  • Dark chocolate.
  • Green yogurt.
  • Pears. ...
  • Oatmeal bites. ...
  • Fruit popsicles.
Jun 1, 2022

What is the one food that 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.

What food is the number one enemy of diabetes? ›

Sweets. Sugary foods can cause dangerous spikes in your blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates found in most vegetables and whole grains don't affect your blood sugar as much, and the fiber in them helps you digest them slowly. This will keep your blood sugar from going high.

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.

What foods will lower blood sugar quickly? ›

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 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.

References

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