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

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 foods can diabetics eat freely for dinner? ›

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 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 are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

Top foods and drinks to avoid with diabetes
  • Whole milk. ...
  • Hot dogs. ...
  • Pre-packaged lunch meat. ...
  • Sweetened cereals. ...
  • Regular pancake syrup. ...
  • Sherbet. ...
  • Loaded baked potatoes. A plain baked potato is a relatively healthy food choice. ...
  • Fried foods. Deep-fried food such as French fries and fried chicken are not healthy choices.
Sep 4, 2023

What to cook for someone with diabetes? ›

Balance carbs with fiber and protein in each meal. This is easy if you use the plate method. Make half of your plate vegetables, a quarter of your plate a carb like brown rice, black beans, or whole-wheat pasta, and the other quarter of your plate a healthy protein like chicken breast, fish, lean meat, or tofu.

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 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 can a diabetic eat unlimited? ›

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).

What should a diabetic eat all day? ›

Diabetes Meal Planning
  • Include more nonstarchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and green beans.
  • Include fewer added sugars and refined grains, such as white bread, rice, and pasta with less than 2 grams of fiber per serving.
  • Focus on whole foods instead of highly processed foods as much as possible.

What foods can a diabetic eat all they want? ›

What foods should I eat if I have diabetes?
  • 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.
  • Nonfat or low-fat dairy, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Mar 15, 2024

What is the number one worst food for diabetics? ›

Foods that are made primarily of processed sugar, like many desserts, candy, and soda, are considered low-quality carbohydrates and are among the worst foods to eat when you have type 2 diabetes.

What sweet foods don't spike blood sugar? ›

Examples of some diabetes-friendly desserts include:
  • granola (with no sugar added) and fresh fruit.
  • trail mix with nuts, seeds, roasted pepitas, and dried cranberries.
  • graham crackers with nut butter.
  • angel food cake.
  • chia seed pudding.
  • low sugar avocado mousse.
  • frozen yogurt bites made with plain Greek yogurt and berries.

What 7 fruits should diabetics avoid? ›

7 Fruits diabetics should avoid consuming
  • 01/8​​7 Fruits diabetics should avoid consuming​ Shop Similar Look. ...
  • 02/8​​Watermelon ​ Shop Similar Look. ...
  • 03/8​​Bananas​ Shop Similar Look. ...
  • 04/8​​Pineapple​ Shop Similar Look. ...
  • 05/8​​Mango​ Shop Similar Look. ...
  • 06/8​​Grapes​ Shop Similar Look. ...
  • 07/8​​Cherries​ ...
  • 08/8​​Raisins ​
Oct 3, 2023

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.

Can diabetics eat pizza? ›

The short answer to this question is yes, people with diabetes can enjoy all types of pizza. In moderation, people living with diabetes can safely enjoy all types of foods that are often viewed as “unhealthy”, including yummy pizza.

What can I eat to bring my sugar down quickly? ›

Balance blood sugar with these foods.
  • Leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables. Leafy greens such as romaine, kale, and spinach, along with non-starchy vegetables (for example, peppers, tomatoes, and onions) are high in fiber, low in calories, and nutrient-rich. ...
  • Nuts, nut butters, and seeds. ...
  • Berries.
Nov 29, 2023

What does a diabetic dinner look like? ›

Start with a 9-inch dinner plate (about the length of a business envelope): 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 does a diabetic eat before bed? ›

"A low-sugar Greek yogurt with berries and a few nuts is a great balance of protein, fiber, and fat to help keep blood sugar stable, and research shows foods like strawberries and wild blueberries can help improve insulin resistance as well," Harris-Pincus says.

What kind of TV dinner can a diabetic eat? ›

Choose dishes with at least 3 g fiber-look for meals that contain whole grains, beans, and vegetables, which are all good sources of fiber. Avoid empty calories. In general, avoid frozen dinners containing fried or breaded meats, lots of cheese, or rich sauces.

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