What are some quick and nutritious dinner options for diabetics. How can you prepare diabetes-friendly meals in just 20 minutes. Which ingredients are best for managing blood sugar levels in dinner recipes. How to create balanced diabetic dinners without sacrificing flavor.

Understanding Diabetes-Friendly Dinner Essentials

Creating diabetes-friendly dinners doesn’t have to be a daunting task. The key lies in understanding the right balance of nutrients and selecting ingredients that help manage blood sugar levels effectively. But what exactly makes a dinner diabetes-friendly?

A diabetes-friendly dinner typically includes:

• Lean proteins (e.g., chicken, fish, tofu)
• Non-starchy vegetables (e.g., broccoli, spinach, bell peppers)
• Complex carbohydrates in moderation (e.g., brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes)
• Healthy fats (e.g., avocado, olive oil, nuts)
• Fiber-rich foods to slow down glucose absorption

By incorporating these elements, you can create meals that not only taste great but also help maintain stable blood sugar levels. The recipes we’ll explore in this article all adhere to these principles, ensuring that you have a variety of delicious and nutritious options at your fingertips.

Quick and Easy Low-Carb Pizza Alternatives

Who says pizza is off-limits for diabetics? With a few clever substitutions, you can enjoy this beloved dish without compromising your health goals. How can you make a diabetic-friendly pizza in under 20 minutes?

One excellent option is the Cheesy Crispy Diabetic Pizza. This recipe uses low-carb tortillas as a base, which are crisped up in a heated skillet. The result? A delightfully crunchy crust that’s perfect for holding your favorite toppings. To keep it diabetes-friendly, opt for protein-rich meats, an abundance of vegetables, and a moderate amount of cheese.

Here’s a quick guide to making your own low-carb pizza:

1. Choose a low-carb base (e.g., tortilla, cauliflower crust, or almond flour crust)
2. Add a thin layer of sugar-free tomato sauce
3. Top with lean meats like grilled chicken or turkey
4. Load up on non-starchy vegetables (bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach)
5. Sprinkle with a modest amount of cheese
6. Bake or cook in a skillet until crispy and the cheese melts

This approach allows you to indulge in the flavors of pizza while keeping carbohydrates in check. It’s a win-win situation that proves managing diabetes doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods – it’s all about making smart modifications.

Hearty and Healthy Chili Recipes for Diabetics

Chili is a comfort food classic that can be easily adapted to suit a diabetic diet. But how can you make a satisfying chili that’s both nutritious and blood sugar-friendly?

The Beef and Veggie Chili recipe mentioned is an excellent example of a diabetes-friendly chili. It incorporates lean beef for protein, a variety of vegetables for nutrients and fiber, and beans for additional fiber and complex carbohydrates. The inclusion of cinnamon is a smart choice, as this spice has been shown to have potential benefits in blood sugar management.

To create your own diabetes-friendly chili, consider these tips:

• Use lean ground beef, turkey, or plant-based alternatives
• Load up on non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes
• Include fiber-rich beans, but be mindful of portions to manage carb intake
• Experiment with spices like cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon for flavor without added sugars
• Serve with a side salad to increase vegetable intake and fiber

Remember, the key to a diabetes-friendly chili is balancing protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates while keeping overall carb content in check. This approach ensures a satisfying meal that won’t cause dramatic blood sugar spikes.

Italian-Inspired Low-Carb Dinner Ideas

Italian cuisine is beloved worldwide, but traditional pasta dishes can be challenging for those managing diabetes. How can you enjoy the flavors of Italy while keeping your blood sugar levels stable?

The Low Carb Bruschetta Chicken recipe offers an excellent solution. By using spiralized low-carb vegetables instead of pasta, you significantly reduce the carbohydrate content while maintaining the essence of Italian cooking. This dish combines lean protein from chicken with the rich flavors of ricotta cheese and roasted tomatoes, creating a satisfying meal that’s diabetes-friendly.

Here are some strategies for creating Italian-inspired low-carb dinners:

1. Replace traditional pasta with spiralized vegetables (zucchini, squash, or carrots work well)
2. Use lean proteins like chicken, fish, or tofu as the main component
3. Incorporate plenty of non-starchy vegetables in your sauces and side dishes
4. Choose tomato-based sauces over cream-based ones to reduce saturated fat
5. Use herbs and spices liberally for flavor without added calories or carbs
6. Include small amounts of cheese for flavor, opting for stronger varieties so you can use less

By applying these principles, you can create a wide range of Italian-inspired dishes that are both delicious and diabetes-friendly. From chicken cacciatore to eggplant parmesan made with almond flour, the possibilities are endless.

Greek and Mediterranean-Inspired Diabetic Dinners

The Mediterranean diet is often recommended for its health benefits, including its potential to help manage diabetes. But how can you incorporate these flavors into quick, diabetes-friendly dinners?

The Greek Yogurt Skillet Roasted Chicken and Low Carb Mediterranean Chicken recipes provide excellent examples. These dishes use lean protein sources and incorporate healthful spices and herbs typical of Mediterranean cuisine. The use of Greek yogurt in the first recipe adds protein and creates a creamy texture without excessive fat, while the second recipe includes nutrient-rich ingredients like spinach, mushrooms, and feta cheese.

To create your own Mediterranean-inspired diabetic dinners, consider these elements:

• Focus on lean proteins like chicken, fish, or legumes
• Incorporate plenty of non-starchy vegetables (leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers)
• Use olive oil as your primary source of fat
• Include small amounts of cheese (like feta) for flavor
• Experiment with herbs and spices like oregano, dill, and garlic
• Add a small portion of whole grains or legumes if your carb allowance permits

These Mediterranean-inspired meals are not only diabetes-friendly but also heart-healthy, making them an excellent choice for overall wellbeing. The emphasis on vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats aligns perfectly with the principles of a diabetes-friendly diet.

Diabetes-Friendly Comfort Food Makeovers

Comfort foods often get a bad rap in the context of diabetes management, but with some clever modifications, you can enjoy these satisfying dishes without compromising your health. How can you transform classic comfort foods into diabetes-friendly options?

The Low Carb Chicken Alfredo and Low Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipes demonstrate how beloved comfort foods can be adapted for a diabetic diet. By using alternatives to high-carb ingredients and focusing on lean proteins and vegetables, these recipes maintain the essence of the original dishes while being more suitable for blood sugar management.

Here are some strategies for creating diabetes-friendly versions of comfort foods:

1. Replace high-carb bases (like pasta) with vegetable alternatives (e.g., zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice)
2. Use lean meats or plant-based proteins instead of higher-fat options
3. Incorporate more vegetables into traditional recipes
4. Experiment with low-carb thickeners (like xanthan gum) instead of flour in sauces
5. Use full-fat dairy in smaller amounts for richness without excessive calories
6. Rely on herbs and spices for flavor rather than added sugars

By applying these principles, you can recreate a wide range of comfort foods in a diabetes-friendly way. From cauliflower mac and cheese to zucchini lasagna, the possibilities are vast and delicious.

Quick and Easy Low-Carb Beef Recipes

Beef can be a nutritious part of a diabetes-friendly diet when chosen and prepared wisely. But how can you create quick, low-carb beef dinners that are both satisfying and beneficial for blood sugar management?

The Low Carb Italian Beef and Cheese Bowl and Low Carb Patty Melt recipes offer excellent examples of how to incorporate beef into a diabetes-friendly meal plan. These dishes focus on using beef as a protein source while keeping overall carbohydrate content low. The Italian Beef and Cheese Bowl, for instance, can be served in a lettuce wrap to further reduce carbs.

Consider these tips when preparing low-carb beef dinners:

• Choose lean cuts of beef to reduce saturated fat intake
• Control portion sizes to manage overall calorie and protein intake
• Pair beef with non-starchy vegetables to increase fiber and nutrient content
• Use low-carb alternatives for traditional high-carb sides (e.g., cauliflower mash instead of potatoes)
• Experiment with different cooking methods like grilling or roasting to add flavor without extra carbs
• Incorporate beef into salads or vegetable-based dishes for balanced meals

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the rich flavor and nutritional benefits of beef while maintaining a diet that supports healthy blood sugar levels. Remember, the key is balance and moderation.

Balancing Carbs in Diabetes-Friendly Meals

While many diabetes-friendly recipes focus on low-carb options, it’s important to remember that carbohydrates can still be part of a healthy diabetes meal plan when chosen wisely and consumed in moderation. But how can you incorporate healthy carbs into your dinners without causing blood sugar spikes?

The Pork Chops with Easy Mexican Rice recipe provides an excellent example of how to include complex carbohydrates in a diabetes-friendly meal. By using brown rice, which is higher in fiber than white rice, this recipe offers a more diabetes-friendly alternative to traditional Mexican rice. The key is to monitor portion sizes to ensure carbohydrate servings remain within your personal targets.

Here are some strategies for balancing carbs in your diabetes-friendly dinners:

1. Choose complex carbohydrates over simple ones (e.g., whole grains, legumes, sweet potatoes)
2. Pair carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats to slow down glucose absorption
3. Include plenty of non-starchy vegetables to increase fiber intake
4. Monitor portion sizes of carbohydrate-rich foods
5. Consider the glycemic index of foods when making choices
6. Balance higher-carb meals with lower-carb options throughout the day

Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate carbs entirely, but to choose them wisely and balance them with other nutrients. This approach allows for more variety in your diet while still supporting healthy blood sugar management.

As we’ve explored these various diabetes-friendly dinner ideas, it’s clear that managing diabetes doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. With a bit of creativity and knowledge about balanced nutrition, it’s possible to create delicious, quick meals that support your health goals. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian, Greek, comfort food, or a hearty chili, there are plenty of options that can be prepared in just 20 minutes. By focusing on lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, and controlled portions of complex carbohydrates, you can enjoy a wide variety of meals while keeping your blood sugar levels stable. Remember, the key to successful diabetes management through diet is finding an approach that you can maintain long-term, and these recipes provide a great starting point for building a sustainable, enjoyable meal plan.

10 Best Diabetes Dinner Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links, see my Affiliates Disclosure.

Diabetes friendly dinner ideas can be a challenge! Here I have compiled a list of 10 of our best diabetes-friendly and delicious recipes for you to try. These recipes give you easy step by step instructions to make diabetes dinner planning a breeze! Check out our companion articles on stocking the diabetes pantry and ways to make comfort food diabetes friendly!

What can a type 2 diabetic eat for dinner?

Everyone loves pizza but who needs the carbs?? Here’s a delicious recipe using tortillas crisped up in a heated skillet. Substitute a low carb tortilla for a tasty snack or meal. Keep the toppings low carb with meats, veggies and cheese. This is a meal the whole family will love.

Cheesy Crispy Diabetic Pizza

A lower carb crispy, cheesy pizza you can enjoy in under 15 minutes! This diabetic pizza with all your favorite toppings will become a family favorite.

Go to recipe

Beef and veggie chili is the perfect cool weather meal! Add a side salad to get even more low carb veggies in. This chili features beans which are high fiber and helps keep you full from one meal to the next.

Beef and Veggie Chili-Diabetes Friendly

A delicious chili made diabetes friendly by adding fiber- rich beans and cinnamon.

Go to recipe

An Italian inspired meal is sure to satisfy, and this one will definitely hit the spot. Here we use spiraled low carb veggies to substitute for pasta. If you like, you can combine spiralized veggies with pasta to cut carbs but still keep the authentic flavor.

Low Carb Bruschetta Chicken

A low carb Italian feast featuring chicken tenders, ricotta cheese and roasted tomatoes.  Serve over spiralized veggies for a satisfying meal ready in 30 minutes!

Go to recipe

This chicken recipe will become a favorite. Greek yogurt and spices make a tasty low carb meal perfect for week night or entertaining.

Greek Yogurt Skillet Roasted Chicken

A delicious way to include healthful spices in your diet. Chicken is marinated in Greek yogurt, cinnamon and curry powder then roasted in a skillet. Low carb diet friendly!

Go to recipe

Low carb baked Greek chicken is absolutely packed with flavor. You will love the Greek herbs combine with spinach and feta.

Low Carb Mediterranean Chicken

Low carb Greek seasoned chicken thighs make a delicious and healthy one pot meal. Served on a bed of mushrooms, spinach, sun dried tomatoes and feta cheese.

Go to recipe

Low carb chicken alfredo takes a universal favorite and turns into a tasty low carb version. Try this over spiralized veggies or a lower carb pasta to keep carb levels in check.

Low Carb Chicken Alfredo

A low carb keto chicken Alfredo recipe perfect for weeknight meals.  Uses leftover chicken and store bought Alfredo sauce for a quick and easy meal the whole family will love. 

Go to recipe

Low carb unstuffed cabbage rolls are a fun twist on the original. This recipe saves time by throwing everything in a skillet to cook and the result is delish!

Low Carb Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls the easy way! Unstuffed cabbage rolls make a delicious and filling low carb meal-ready in less than 30 minutes. Serve with rice for a family friendly meal.

Go to recipe

Low Carb Italian Beef and Cheese Bowl

Italian beef recipe with pepperoncinis has 3 gm carb and ready in under 30 minutes! This low carb beef and cheese bowl makes a great low carb lettuce wrap in under 30 minutes.

Go to recipe

Pork chops with easy Mexican rice uses brown rice to offer a higher fiber alternative to the usual Mexican rice recipe. Be sure to monitor portion sizes to make sure carb servings stay in the proper range.

Pork Chops with Easy Mexican Rice

A tasty and easy 30 minute Mexican rice recipe the whole family will love.  Uses your favorite salsa and features tender cheesy pork chops to round out the meal.

Go to recipe

Low Carb Patty Melt

Low carb patty melt pleases the whole family with plenty of beef, cheese and low carb goodness.

Go to recipe

Looking for more meal planning tips?

Check out these favorites!

top 10 diabetes breakfast ideas 

7 Must Try Low Carb Chicken Recipes

26 More Diabetes Low Carb Meals You Can Almost Make Without a Recipe

These 10 Low Carb Foods Will Make A Week of Meals

14 Easy Diabetic-Friendly Recipes to Try This Summer

In the summer, farmers’ market produce is the ideal base for healthy, satisfying, AND diabetic-friendly meals. Low-carb is the name of the game, so we like to rely on lean meats, fresh fish, low-starch veggies, and the natural sweetness of fruit to keep our menu lively. Remember: The grill is your friend, adding big flavor to all sorts of ingredients without needing extra oil, salt, or sugar. Read on for the recipe inspo.

Sheet Pan Mediterranean Snapper: The American Diabetes Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week, and this luscious snapper recipe is one you’ll want to devour again and again. Flavored with citrus, capers, and za’atar and topped with low-fat Greek yogurt, it’s an elegant meal no matter what diet you’re sticking to. (via Hummusapien)

Cucumber Tomato Salad With Chickpeas and Feta: For a salad that will fill you up, add fiber-rich chickpeas to the mix. Combined with low-fat feta and ripe cherry tomatoes, you have a refreshing meal that tastes good and will make you feel A+ too. (via Kalyn’s Kitchen)

Cherry Balsamic Grilled Pork Tenderloin: This dish gets its subtle sweetness naturally from aged balsamic vinegar and pureed cherries. There’s a healthy dose of antioxidants from the dark stone fruit, which pairs well with lean, juicy pork tenderloin. (via Give it Some Thyme)

Chilled Avocado Zucchini Soup: Lush avocado lends body and richness to this plant-based soup. Serve as a summery starter at your next dinner party. (via Simply Quinoa)

Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice: Searching for a low-starch side dish can feel like an uphill battle. Luckily, with this recipe for low-carb cauliflower rice under your belt, you’ll never be left wondering how to complete your meal. (via Sweet Peas and Saffron)

Homemade Chimichurri Sauce: Just a little bit of this bright green sauce goes a long way. With a heart-healthy olive oil base, chimichurri will liven up lean grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, and tofu all season long. You can even use it as a salad dressing. (via The Cookie Rookie)

Grilled Chicken Kebabs With Pistachio Gremolata: Yogurt-marinated chicken stays juicy on the grill, even when you crank the heat to get those gorgeous grill marks. And pistachio, parsley, and lavender gremolata is what will keep you going back for another bite. Just make sure to use low-fat yogurt and reduce the amount of olive oil to suit your dietary regimen if needed. (via Hello Glow)

Grilled Salmon in Foil: Fish is healthy and scrumptious, but cooking it isn’t always in your olfactory best interests. Instead, try cooking it on the grill. A foil packet ensures your salmon stays moist. (via The Roasted Root)

Italian Pesto Zoodle Salad: When you have a noodle craving that can’t be tamed, whip out your spiralizer and get ready to enjoy this satisfying meal. Three-ingredient pesto vinaigrette coats each bite of fresh zoodles, roasted peppers, olives, and artichoke hearts. (via Sunkissed Kitchen)

Thai Cauliflower Rice Salad: Cauliflower rice and shredded carrots make up the base of this salad. It’s a welcome departure from plain old lettuce, and the avocado dressing on top makes it taste positively indulgent. (via Cotter Crunch)

Tuna Tartare: A fusion of tuna tartare and poke, this cool appetizer is just what you’ll want to serve on hot summer nights, along with an ice-cold glass of sparkling water, of course. (via Simmer + Sauce)

Whole Roasted Fish: Is there anything more striking than a platter of whole-roasted fish served with lemon and herbs? It’s a surprisingly easy recipe to master, but no one will guess when you bring it to the table. (via Gimme Some Oven)

Spicy Dill Dip: If you struggle to get your daily intake of veggies, a creamy dip is your best friend. The key is using low-fat Greek yogurt and sour cream so you stay within your dietary guidelines. And when you add plenty of herbs and a diced jalapeño for flavor, you won’t miss the fat. Slice up your favorite veggies and dunk away. (via Spend With Pennies)

Low-Carb Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes: Finding diabetic-friendly dessert recipes can be a challenge, but this tangy-sweet dessert fits the bill. Almond meal is used instead of flour, and the cupcakes are sweetened with Swerve to keep things low-sugar and low-carb. (via All Day I Dream About Food)

Follow us on Pinterest for more healthy eating ideas.

This article has been updated from a previous post.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

Diabetic Recipes, 300 Indian Diabetic Recipes, Tarladalal.com

diabetic recipe collection. healthy diabetic recipes. Do you abstain yourself from your favourite foods just because you have diabetes? Are you the one of those who thinks taste and health can’t go hand in hand? Well, then you are in the right section…. What you eat and when you eat is extremely important in diabetes since in simple terms it means high blood sugar levels. It is a lifelong condition that can be best managed with careful diet control, proper medication (either oral medication or insulin) and exercise under your doctor’s and / or dietitian’s supervision.

Chana Dal Pancakes

Dealing with Diabetes

Healthy diet, exercise and medications, provide a solid foundation for control and management of diabetes as mentioned earlier. Given below are a few easy guidelines… follow these to effectively deal with diabetes.

 

1.

Healthy Diabetic Recipes and Diet for Diabetes

A. The Right Food Choice for Diabetes

1. Have a balanced diet, which includes complex cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables. Within cereal category jowar, bajra, oats, quinoa, barley are healthier options than rice as they allow carbohydrate to be absorbed slowly. Thus, the blood sugar does not rise rapidly when you opt for diabetic-friendly rotis like Jowar Pyaz ki Roti or Oats Roti and diabetic-friendly rice substitutes like Bajra, Whole Moong and Green Pea Khichdi.

2. Have only one source of protein like dal, milk or curds in each meal. Protein is needed for maintenance of healthy cells, but too much protein might put excess load on kidney. So keep a close watch on your protein intake especially if you have any kidney disorder. Methi Toovar Dal, Hariyali Dal are a few options worth trying.

Methi Toovar Dal, Healthy Recipe

3. Consume plenty of fibre-rich foods raw vegetables and fruits. These help to lower blood sugar levels, as they have a low glycemic index and lead to a gradual increase in the blood sugar levels. Try our range of high fiber soups for diabetes like Lettuce and Cauliflower Soup.

 Lettuce and Cauliflower Soup

 diabetic salads like Chatpata Chawli and Fruit Salad.

 Chatpata Chawli and Fruit Salad

4. On the other hand, restrict all fruit juices and fruits like mango, chickoo, custard apple, banana, as they have a high sugar content. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes, yam, purple yam etc. as these tend to increase the blood sugar levels rapidly. If you want to opt for juices, check out our section on Diabetic Juices and try creating drinks like

Karela Juice

How To Make Karela Juice

 Jamun Smoothie in your own kitchen.

5. A bowl of sprouts is a must daily. It gives you a feeling of satiety and will manage blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels with ease. When you are bored of eating plain sprouts try your hand at including sprouts in form of snacks like Moong Sprouts and Spring Onion Tikki and Sprouted Matki and Coriander Mini Uttapa.

Moong Sprouts and Spring Onion Tikki

6. Restrict the consumption of fat to 3 teaspoons per day. Avoid snacking on fried foods like samosas, wafers etc, as these are unhealthy. Have cereals, fruits, and grilled, boiled or stir-fried dishes instead. This will contribute to a healthy heart.

7. Try and avoid processed and refined foods such as maida, noodles, biscuits etc. as they have a high glycemic index and can escalate the blood sugar levels very rapidly. These foods have virtually no fibre and so are not very healthy. The biggest culprits are bakery products and savoury farsans. Avoid these if you have High Blood Pressure especially. For them Low Salt Bulgur Wheat Pongal and Baked Buckwheat Puri are more wholesome choices.

 Baked Buckwheat Puri, Low Salt Recipe

8. Avoid sugar, jaggery and honey. Also, avoid the consumption of sweets such as barfi, halwa, jams, jellies, muffins, cakes, chocolates etc. Prefer using 2 to 3 dates to satisfy your sweet tooth occasionally and while doing so, don’t include any other major source of carbs with it. Alternatively use artificial sweeteners, but again remember, moderation is the key. Consult your doctor or dietitian for the choice and the quantity of artificial sweeteners to be consumed. Tempted to try a diabetic friendly sweet right away? Satisfy this craving with small portions of healthy diabetic desserts options like Sugar free Date Rolls

Oats and Orange Rabdi and many more….

Oats and Orange Rabdi, Diabetic Friendly

9. Try and avoid the consumption of carbonated beverages and alcohol as these provide no real nutrients but only empty calories which means calories that can increase your weight.

10. Avoid the use of thickeners like cornflour in soups and gravies, as cornflour is high on carb and glycemic index scale. Instead aim at making subzis like Dahi Bhindi ki Subzi, Baingan Bhaja etc. a part of your diabetic meal plan.

Dahi Bhindi ki Subji

11. If you inappropriate lipid profile and have been advised to limit the amount of fat, turn to low-fat dairy alternatives like low-fat milk, low-fat curd and low-fat paneer.

Low Fat Paneer ( How To Make Low Fat Paneer)

12. Bake, steam or sauté instead of shallow frying or deep frying foods. Use a pressure cooker to cook vegetables as pressure cooking requires less oil. This method also helps one to conserve the nutrients that are volatile, as the closed lid prevents the loss of nutrients.

B. General Dietary Guidelines for Diabetes

1. Type II diabetics are usually overweight and need to lose weight. Weight loss and maintaining desirable weight has helped to control diabetes in many people.

2. Maintain regular meal timings. Do not skip a meal. Green Moong Dal Idli and Herbed Capsicum Paratha are recipes that are sure to please you for as a healthy Diabetic Breakfast.

Mini Green Moong Dal Chila

3. Eat in a relaxed and stress free environment as stress can impair the digestion of food and also the production of insulin.

4. Do not have a large meal at a time. Break up the total calories prescribed for a day into different meals correctly. The best way to do so is to eat short and frequent meals at regular intervals (6-8 meals per day). Delicacies like Garlicky Hummus and Colocassia Leaf Raita are perfect choices to consume in between main meals.

 Garlicky Hummus

5. Have an early dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed. Drink a cup/ glass of milk (low fat milk preferably) 2 hours after dinner to avoid hypoglycemia during night if suggested by your doctor.

6. Snacking helps to handle frequent hunger pangs in a day and prevent the fluctuations in blood glucose levels, but remember to choose the right kind of snacks. Shared below are a few nourishing options for you.

7. If there is any change in your schedule, either in meal timings or of other activities, please consult your physician to adjust your medication to suit your new schedule.

8. Try to avoid eating out too often. If you are eating out make wise choices in terms of selecting foods that are low in calories and fat. For example munch on vegetables with a low fat dip instead of calorie laden starters, chose plain dal instead of ‘tadka’ or a creamy one, select fruits for dessert instead of a high calorie dessert like cake or ice-cream etc.

9. If at a party dinner is going to be served late, have soup or a small snack along with your medication before you start out. The trick here is that if you leave for the party on an empty stomach, temptation attacks quicker and we tend to binge on whatever we can lay our hands on first. Whereas if we have snacked a little before the party, we can reason and choose our food wisely.

Gehun ki Bikaneri Khichdi

10. Read the nutritional labels on food packages carefully for proper selection of foods, particularly those claiming to be low fat foods. Low fat products may actually contain more fat than you think.

2. Medications

1. Take your medications or an insulin injection at regular timings. Do not alter the dosage of insulin without consulting your diabetologist.

2. Adjust the amount and timing of meals, dosage of your medicine and the level of physical activity to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

3. Exercise

1. Try to maintain a moderate and regular exercise regime throughout the day. Regular exercise helps to: regulate blood glucose levels, improve the action of insulin, lose weight, reduce stress, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.

2. Brisk walking is the best form of exercise. Walk at least for 15 to 20 minutes after every meal as walking is the best form of exercise and it helps to improve digestion and insulin’s action on glucose.

3. If you do not have enough time to exercise regularly, daily activities like climbing stairs, walking instead of taking a cab, taking out your pet for a walk or going to market will help to remain fit and healthy.

4. Exercising on an empty stomach may lead hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), which may further lead to giddiness, headache etc. to avoid this do remember to eat something before starting exercise.

Buckwheat Dosa

5. Start exercising under a doctor’s supervision. Consult your doctor about the type and duration of exercise.

Causes of Diabetes

• Hereditary • Obesity

• Irregular or unhealthy food habits, and/or

• Stress

Major Symptoms of Diabetes 

• POLYURIA – excessive urination

• POLYDIPSIA – excessive thirst

• POLYPHAGIA – increased hunger, and/or

• Weight loss (Type I) or Obesity (Type II)

• Other symptoms besides the classic symptoms mentioned above are fatigue, blurred vision, aches and pains, dry mouth, dry or itchy skin, vaginal yeast infections (in a female) due to excretion of excess glucose in urine, poor healing of cuts and scrapes, or excessive or unusual infections and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.

Enjoy our diabetes recipes and realted diabetes articles below.

Diabetes and Healthy Heart
Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Recipes, Diet
Diabetes and Kidney friendly
Diabetic Accompaniments
Diabetic Soups
Diabetic Starters & Snacks
Diabetic Breakfast
Diabetic Dals & Khadis
Diabetic Desserts
Diabetic Drinks / Beverages
Diabetic International Recipes
Diabetic Rice, Khichdi and Biryani
Diabetic Rotis and Parathas
Diabetic Salads & Raitas
Diabetic Subzis

I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?

If you’ve just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food.

You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced diet – it can all seem so daunting and overwhelming.  With so much to take in at once and all the myths about diabetes and food that you’ll probably hear, it can be hard to know what to do.

We can’t tell you exactly what to eat, but we can get you started with some options to try for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Planning ahead when it comes to food could help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control.

“When I decided to make changes to my lifestyle, diet came first. I looked on the Diabetes UK website and read all about the food I needed to eat. It all looked simple – but to act on it and manage this new way of eating was difficult. I knew I had to do it.”

Zahoor, living with type 2 diabetes

What’s the diabetes diet?

There is no such thing as a special diet exclusively for people with type 2 diabetes. No two people with diabetes are the same. So there isn’t a one-size-fits-all way of eating for everyone with diabetes.

In the past, people with type 2 diabetes were sent away after their diagnosis with a list of foods they weren’t allowed to eat, or often told to cut out sugar. But our advice is to make healthier choices more often, and only have treats occasionally and in small portions.

Because we know that making healthier food choices is important to manage your diabetes and to reduce your risk of diabetes complications, like heart problems and strokes, and other health conditions including certain types of cancers.

Try and make changes to your food choices that are realistic and achievable so you’ll stick with them. This will be different for everyone, depending on what you eat now and the goals you want to achieve. Here are some examples of goals – think about yours and write them down if that helps:

• ‘I want to reach my target blood sugar level’
• ‘I want to reduce my cholesterol levels (blood fats)’
• ‘I want good blood pressure’
• ‘I want to be a healthy weight’
• ‘I want to be in diabetes remission’.

You’re more likely to achieve your goals if you get some support – whether that’s from your healthcare team, your family and friends or other people with diabetes. There are millions of people with type 2 diabetes wondering what they can eat – you’re not alone in this.

We know diet and food can feel overwhelming when you’re diagnosed with diabetes. That’s why we’ve created Eating well with diabetes, a simple, printed information guide to help you with cooking, shopping, making healthy swaps and more. 

Order a free copy

Diabetes diet plans to lose weight

If you’re overweight, finding a way to lose weight has huge benefits. It can help you manage your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. And there’s strong evidence to suggest that losing extra weight can put your type 2 diabetes into remission. We know this is more likely nearer to you being diagnosed, so find out everything you can about remission and speak to your healthcare team about it.

There are different ways to lose weight, like a low-carb diet, Mediterranean diet and very low-calorie diets.

Get our guide to losing weight – we’ve put together some meal plans to help you. But speak to your healthcare team too, they can refer you to a dietitian for more specific advice and help you stick to your plan.

We haven’t created low- or very low-calorie meal plans as these could be challenging using foods. Most people who follow these diets use special meal replacement products which are nutritionally complete. If you chose to try a low-calorie diet, speak to your GP or nurse first, especially if you use medication like insulin.

Download your weight-loss planner

“I keep a daily diary and log my weight and activity. It keeps me accountable and focused.”

Edward Morrison, who lost over four stone – read his story.

You can download My weight-loss planner (PDF, 534KB) to set goals and track your progress. By putting a plan in place and noting down your progress, you’ll be able to see the positive changes you’re making.

Learn food hacks

Get practical tools and tailored advice on what to eat when you have type 2 diabetes – all in our Learning Zone.

Breakfast ideas when you have diabetes

Diabetes won’t stop you from enjoying your food, but knowing some simple hacks and swaps will help you choose healthier options and make planning your meals a little easier. These ideas may not look much different from what you eat already, and your favourite recipes and meals can usually be adapted to be healthier without you noticing too much difference.

Here are some healthy breakfast ideas to choose from:

• a bowl of wholegrain cereal with milk
• two slices of wholegrain toast with olive oil-based spread
• a pot of natural unsweetened yogurt and fruit
• two slices of avocado with a hardboiled egg.

Get more breakfast ideas.

Lunch ideas when you have diabetes

Here are some healthy lunch ideas to choose from:

• a chicken or tuna salad sandwich
• a small pasta salad
• soup with or without a wholegrain roll
• a piece of salmon or tuna steak and salad.

Think about having a piece of fruit or a pot of natural unsweetened yogurt afterwards too.

Get more healthy lunchtime swaps.

Dinner ideas when you have diabetes

Here are some healthy dinner ideas to choose from:

• 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

Get more dinner recipes – you can search by type of meal and ingredient.

Can I eat fruit?

Yes, whole fruit is good for everyone and if you have diabetes, it’s no different. You shouldn’t avoid them because they’re sugary. Fruits do contain sugar, but it’s natural sugar. The sugar in whole fruit is different to the added sugar in things like chocolate, biscuits and cakes or other free sugar found in fruit juices and smoothies.

Other things to avoid are foods labelled ‘diabetic’ or ‘suitable for diabetics’, and eating too much red and processed meat or highly processed carbs like white bread. Cutting down on these means you’re reducing your risk of certain cancers and heart diseases.

Still not sure which foods mean you’re making healthy choices? Read our 10 top tips for healthy eating when you have diabetes – it takes you through the foods that are healthier than others, including which carbohydrates are the better choice and how to be smart with snacks.

Can I snack in between meals?

Some people with type 2 diabetes hear about hypos (when your blood sugar gets too low) and think they need to eat snacks to avoid them. But this isn’t the case for everyone.

You don’t need to eat snacks if you’re not taking any medication for your type 2 diabetes. If you treat your diabetes with medication that puts you at risk of hypos, like insulin, you may need a snack to prevent a hypo. But if you find you’re having to snack a lot to prevent hypos, talk to your healthcare team so they can give you more advice.

Snacking in general can make it harder to manage a healthy weight though, which is really important for managing your diabetes. So if you do feel like a snack, go for a healthier option like carrot sticks and hummus or some dark chocolate rice cakes.

We’ve got lots of simple snack swaps to try.

Get support to eat well

Get support from your healthcare team, and talk to family and friends about how you’re feeling and what they can do to help. If you usually do the cooking at home or someone cooks for you, it can help to read this information together and talk about small swaps and changes you can make in the kitchen.

Go on a structured education course

Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can often feel like there’s a lot to learn. But going on a course can help you understand what diabetes is and how food affects your body.

Ask your healthcare team about getting on a structured education course near you or find out more in our education information.

Join Learning Zone

Learning Zone is our online education service to help people with diabetes understand and manage their condition successfully. We’ve made a section all about food hacks to help you learn how to make those simple swaps – log into Learning Zone.

Chat about food in our online forum

Our support forum has over 18,000 members. It’s a place to have a chat with someone else who has type 2 diabetes, ask questions about food, or just read other people’s posts to see what diets are working for them. We’ve got dedicated boards for people talking about food, recipes and weight loss.

Call our helpline

Our helpline is free and our trained counsellors get hundreds of calls about food every week.

40+ Diabetes Friendly Indian Recipes

Published December 1, 2020 Updated March 4, 2021 By Meeta Arora Leave a Comment | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Having diabetes does not mean you can not enjoy delicious meals. Here is a collection of tasty and healthy Diabetes friendly Indian recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, that the whole family can enjoy. They are all relatively low in carbs and taste amazing!

Note: I am not a doctor, and am not sharing medical advice here. Whenever you make any changes to your diet, make sure to check with your doctor and monitor your blood sugar level.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Glucose comes from the food we eat. An organ called the pancreas (PAN-kree-as) makes insulin (IN-suh-lin). Insulin helps glucose get from your blood into your cells. Cells take the glucose and turn it into energy.

When you have diabetes, your body has a problem making or properly using insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in your blood and cannot get into your cells. If the blood glucose stays too high, it can damage your body.

Source: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes

What are the types of diabetes?

There are three main types of diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes—In this type of diabetes, the body does not make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day and do not have dietary restrictions.

• Type 2 diabetes—In this type of diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or use insulin well. Some people with type 2 diabetes have to take diabetes pills, insulin, or both or need to watch their diet. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

• Gestational diabetes—This type of diabetes can occur when a woman is pregnant. It raises the risk that both she and her child might develop diabetes later in life.

How many Carbs should I eat?

Unfortunately, there’s no “one size fits all” answer—everyone is different because everyone’s body is different. The amount you can eat and stay in your target blood sugar range depends on your age, weight, activity level, and other factors. You doctor will be the best person to suggest the right amount for you.

On average, people with diabetes should aim to get about half of their calories from carbs. That means if you normally eat about 1,800 calories a day to maintain a healthy weight, about 800 to 900 calories can come from carbs.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/diabetes-and-carbohydrates.html

Eat Well

Follow the routine of eating small and frequent meals to keep your blood sugar levels in control. Include foods in your diet that reduce the glycemic index. You can do that my mixing carbs with good fats. Limit your portions, choose wisely and eat healthy!

Below you will find recipes for an Indian Diabetic diet for Type 2 diabetes, including recipes for breakfast, snack, some vegetarian and meat diabetic recipes. Most of these recipes are relatively low in carbs, easy to make and are super delicious.

I am also sharing some tips I got from my readers on Instagram:

• Replace wheat roti with bajra or jowar roti’s.
• Quinoa, amaranth, bulgur, barley, millets, and buckwheat are good alternatives grains to add to diet.
• Some focus on Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) eating plan with high protein diet.
• Bitter gourd juice is a great recipe for diabetes reversal. Cut bitter gourd, apply salt, turmeric and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then juice it and enjoy. This can also be freezed in ice-cube trays.
• If you are social media savvy, check out @diabetes.rd on Instagram and Reversing Diabetes Type 2 Support Group on Facebook.

You might also find my post about low carb indian food recipes useful.

Note: I am not a doctor, and not sharing any medical advice here. Whenever you make any changes to your diet, make sure to check with your doctor and monitor your blood sugar level.

Indian Breakfast for Diabetics

Masala Oats is a savory oatmeal breakfast porridge cooked with lots of vegetables and aromatic Indian spices. A healthy & delicious vegan breakfast recipe.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

These easy-peel Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs are going to be your new favorite. Once you try this 5-5-5 method to steam eggs in your instant pot, you will never cook them any other way. Eggs are boiled to perfection every single time!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Egg bhurji is the Indian twist to scrambled eggs. Packed with the right amount of flavor and spice, these delicious Indian scrambled eggs are perfect for any meal of the day!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Soft and fluffy Khaman Dhokla made in the Instant Pot and stovetop. These delicious steamed savory chickpea flour cakes are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or snack!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Vegetarian Diabetic Recipes

Karela, also called bitter melon, is a popular vegetable used in many Asian countries. Here is a delicious North Indian Karela recipe, where bitter melon is cooked with onions and spices, along with some jaggery to get a sweet, spicy and tangy stir fry!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A traditional North Indian curry, Lauki or Bottle Gourd Curry prepared in an onion-tomato base with ginger, garlic and spices.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Punjabi Chole Masala or Chana Masala is an Indian favorite chickpea curry. This one-pot recipe for the authentic Chana Masala can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop Pressure Cooker. A healthy protein-rich vegan and gluten free chickpea recipe.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Easy and healthy quinoa with veggies made as a one-pot meal in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

This Air Fryer Cauliflower seasoned with spices is so easy to make and amazingly delicious topped with cilantro yogurt sauce. Enjoy as a wonderful low carb side dish or appetizer.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Egg curry made by adding boiled eggs to a curry sauce, along with coconut milk to give a flavorful protein-rich dish. In this Instant Pot Egg Curry, we will make the curry sauce and boil the eggs together, to make this delicious dish even quicker! Pair it with rice, naan or roti to make a complete meal.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Cabbage and Green Peas cooked with garlic, tomato and spices.  A simple comfort dish made in a pressure cooker.  

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A cool, spicy and tangy green chutney. This no-cook mint cilantro chutney is a must try accompaniment to Indian food such as samosa, chaat, kebabs and sandwiches.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

This easy one-pot Spinach Chickpea Curry, also known as Chana Saag is a healthy vegan and gluten-free curry. Serve it with rice, quinoa, or naan for a perfect weeknight dinner!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Sprouted green lentils curry packed full of nutrition made in the instant pot or stovetop. Mung bean sprouts cooked in an onion-tomato sauce with ginger, garlic and aromatic spices. This curry goes perfectly with roti, paratha or rice.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Enjoy this easy and delicious Ridge Gourd Curry, also known as Turai ki subzi, made in the pressure cooker or instant pot. This is a simple, yet flavorful curry with many nutritional benefits of ridge gourd.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Authentic Punjabi Dal Makhani (Madras Lentils) made in Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot. This restaurant style Dal Makhani made in the pressure cooker is rich, creamy and flavorful. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

These perfectly steamed Instant Pot Green Beans have a fresh, crunchy texture, and are so easy to make! Saute with butter and garlic, drizzle on some lemon juice, and they make a delicious side dish for any meal.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A North Indian favorite Okra Stir Fry in the instant pot. Okra cooked with onions, tomato, garlic and spices. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Instant Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry is a creamy vegan curry, perfect for those busy weekdays. Made with staple pantry ingredients, this one-pot meal with pot-in-pot brown rice will make up for a perfect wholesome meal.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A nutrition packed Black Chickpea Salad made with black chickpeas, crunchy onions, tomatoes, avocado and spices. This refreshing salad has fresh and tangy flavors, and can be enjoyed as a great protein rich breakfast or snack. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Gujarati Dal is a sweet, spicy and tangy lentil soup, made with pigeon peas (tuvar dal), lots of warming spices and the sweetness of jaggery. This staple dal from the Gujarat region of India can be enjoyed with rice, roti or as a soup! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

North Indian sweet and sour pumpkin curry made in a pressure cooker or instant pot. This is a delicious and healthy vegetable curry to add to your meal. Vegan & gluten free! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Kala Chana is a mildly spiced black chickpeas curry made in instant pot. This is a simple everyday Punjabi curry, made in a onion-tomato gravy with ginger and garlic.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A North Indian favorite with spinach and cottage cheese, Palak Paneer. Make this instant pot palak paneer as a one-pot dish, super easy and delicious!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

You won’t believe how easy it is to make this asparagus soup in your Instant Pot! It’s creamy and full of flavor, and you’ll have it ready to serve in less than 30 minutes!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Wholesome Green Moong lentils simmered in onion-tomato gravy made in Instant Pot. A protein rich dish, enjoy as a lentil soup along with a side of rice. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A delicious side dish of crispy air fryer brussels sprouts. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these are a perfect side dish.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Healthy Cream of Broccoli soup made in the Instant Pot in less than 30 minutes. This amazing comfort food can be enjoyed guilt free now, with this plant based vegan & gluten free recipe. Perfect for a quick satisfying lunch or dinner. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A simple yet flavorful yellow dal tempered with cumin, curry leaves and spices. This is an everyday lentil enjoyed with rice. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A comforting lentil dish with added spinach made in the Pressure Cooker.  Enjoy with rice or as a soup. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A healthy and delicious vegan brown lentil soup with veggies. Wonderfully easy to make in the Pressure Cooker and perfect for a cold day! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Vegan Cauliflower Soup made in the Instant Pot in less than 30 minutes. Packed with healing ingredients like turmeric, cauliflower and cashews, it is so creamy and full of flavor. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Baby Eggplants stuffed with flavorful and aromatic spices cooked in very little oil in the Air Fryer. A quick and delicious way to enjoy eggplants! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Moong Dal Tadka or Split Yellow Lentils Soup made in instant pot. A simple yet flavorful yellow dal tempered with cumin, garlic and spices. This is a mild everyday lentil enjoyed with rice.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Thai Curried Butternut Squash Soup made in the Instant Pot is filled with warm fall goodness. This vegan & gluten free soup is so creamy, flavorful and healthy! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Sambar, a flavorful South Indian Lentil Stew made with lentils, vegetables, tamarind, curry leaves and spices prepared in the instant pot (pressure cooker).

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Curry is a creamy vegan curry, filled with goodness of squash, coconut milk and spinach. This cozy and comforting curry is perfect for Fall dinners!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Bharwa Bhindi, which means Stuffed Okra is a popular Indian side dish where the okra is stuffed with spicy & tangy masala filling. This vegan & gluten free dish is a perfect side with Indian roti or paratha, or even great to enjoy as an appetizer.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Tandoori Gobi in the air fryer is a great snack or appetizer.  A North Indian favorite, nutritious with no oil and easy to prepare. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Chicken and Fish Recipes

A flavor packed spicy dish from the Indian subcontinent popular all over the world. Chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, spices and lemon juice, then grilled in the air fryer or oven. Low carb and keto friendly. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Authentic Goan Chicken Vindaloo made in the Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot. Enjoy this dairy-free and gluten-free Chicken Vindaloo with rice or naan for a satisfying dinner!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Chicken Tikka Kebab is a delicious appetizer that is packed with flavor. It starts with chicken pieces marinated in yogurt along with lime juice and aromatic spices, then threaded onto skewers and cooked to create a delicious appetizer. Make it in the air fryer or oven to serve at the gathering, or include it into your meal prep for the week! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

This one-pot Chicken curry with spinach is one of the delicious north Indian dish.  Chicken simmered in a creamy spinach sauce, makes it a nutritious dish for all.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Mom’s authentic Chicken Curry made in a simple onion-tomato gravy with the aroma of whole spices.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A delicious and healthy Chicken Fajita Soup made in the Pressure Cooker. Flavor packed with tender chicken, lots of veggies and spices. Low carb and gluten free.   

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Delicious and easy Coconut Shrimp Curry made in the Pressure Cooker in just 20 minutes. This is a simple Indian shrimp curry made with ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes along with flavorful spices, and finished with coconut milk.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

A creamy and delicious Butter chicken or Murgh Makhani made in the Instant Pot. Chicken cooked in a mildly spiced tomato gravy with aromatic ginger, garlic and spices. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

I hope you have found your favorite and easy Indian diabetic recipes! Some of these can be made in the instant pot or air fryer, while others can be made on the stovetop. Let me know what you are most excited to make, and when you make it, don’t forget to tag #pipingpotcurry.

If you are looking for gluten-free recipes, here are 50+ Gluten-free Indian Food Recipes.

Eating Well with Diabetes: South Indian and Sri Lankan Diets

Many staple foods in the South Indian diet are good for your health. From fresh guava to lentils to vegetarian cuisine, there are lots of nutrient-rich choices. However, deep fried items, high-fat foods and refined flour are also common and should be limited.

If you have diabetes, you can work with your dietitian and healthcare team to develop a plan that is right for you. It will likely include exercise, a meal plan, blood sugar monitoring and perhaps medication. This article will focus on the dietary changes that you can make. The information in this article will tell you which of your favourite traditional foods fit into a healthy diet and which ones to have in moderation to help manage your diabetes.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond to insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas.

When the body is working well, insulin helps carry sugar (glucose) from your blood to your cells where it is used for energy. If you have diabetes, your body’s cells do not receive enough glucose, so it stays in your blood. High blood glucose (or high blood sugar) can lead to heart, kidney, vision and blood vessel problems.

Who has a higher risk of diabetes?

Some ethnic groups in Canada have a higher risk of getting diabetes. People of South Asian descent are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes due to a combination of diet, lifestyle and genetics.

You can read about the risk factors for diabetes here. 

What to eat and when if you have diabetes

If you have diabetes, it is important to eat every 4 to 6 hours to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Try to have three daily meals at regular times and have healthy snacks when you are hungry. A balanced meal has foods that include plenty of vegetables and fruits, high protein foods and whole grains. 

You can work with a dietitian to make a personal meal plan. An example of a healthy meal plan may look like this:

Breakfast:

• 
  2 small whole wheat dosas
• 
  ¼ cup of savoury chutney (try dhal chutney, coriander mint chutney or onion tomato chutney instead of coconut chutney)
• 
  1 cup of sambhar
• 
  ½ cup of papaya
• 
  Tea, coffee or water (without sugar/honey)

Snack: 

• 
  1 small orange
• 
  ½ cup of milk

 Lunch:

• 
  ½ cup of mung dal (pacha payiru)
• 
  ½ cup of rasam
• 
  1 cup of cauliflower or broccoli
• 
  ½ cup of rice (try brown rice)
• 
  1 orange
• 
  ¾ cup of yogurt

 Snack:

• 
  2 tsp of peanut butter on 1 whole wheat roti
• 
  ½ cup of berries

 Dinner:

• 
  ¾ cup of vegetable pilau
• 
  ½ cup of masoor dal (paasi paruppu)
• 
  1 cup of poriyal with minimal oil (use non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, plantain stem/flower, cabbage, snake gourd, okra, eggplant or bitter gourd)
• 
  1 small whole wheat roti/chappati

Snack:

Choose healthy fats to help manage diabetes

In addition to eating a variety of foods, it is also important to include healthy fats in your diet.  People with diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease so choosing better fats is important. Healthy fats are found in:

• 
  oils (olive, canola, sunflower)
• 
  nuts
• 
  seeds
• 
  avocado
• 
  oily fish such as salmon, trout and mackerel

Try to limit saturated fats such as ghee, butter, cream, lard, shortening or coconut oil. Use healthier oils such as vegetable oil, canola oil and grapeseed oil instead. You can also lower saturated fat by choosing lean meat, skinless poultry and low-fat milk products. Use less fat in your cooking or choose lower fat cooking methods such as steaming, grilling, stir-frying or roasting.

Limit deep fried foods  that are high in fat or make lower fat versions of the following (brushing with oil and baking instead):

• 
  Pakoras
• 
  Samosas
• 
  Bhaji
• 
  Medu vada
• 
  Chips: banana, plantain, potato, jackfruit or tapioca
• 
  Murukku
• 
  Grill or microwave pappadums instead of frying
• 
  Reserve sweets such as ladoo, jalebi, adhirasam and gulab jamoon for special occasions

Choosing carbohydrates to help manage diabetes

Carbohydrate is a word for foods that have starch, sugar and fibre. The type and amount of carbohydrate you eat and when you eat it is important. Having too much carbohydrate in a meal can cause your blood sugar to go too high. Your personal meal plan will have the right levels of carbohydrate for you. 

If you have diabetes, choose more high-fibre foods. A type of fibre called soluble fibre may help control blood sugar levels. Try these high-fibre foods:

• 
  Vegetables: snake gourd, plantain, cauliflower, spinach, corn, sweet potato, green beans, broccoli, mustard greens, carrots
• 
  Fruits: plantain, apple, banana, berries, mango, papaya, pineapple, guava, melon, pomegranate
• 
  Grains: whole grains such as whole wheat, besan, brown rice, millet or sorghum. Their flours can be used to make roti, dosa and appam. Brown rice can be used to make puttu and venpongal.
• 
  Legumes: Lentils, dried beans and peas
• 
  Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, pistachios

Limit foods that have a lot of fat and sugar such as:

• 
  Jam, sugar, jaggery and honey
• 
  Ice cream
• 
  Chocolate
• 
  Candy
• 
  Baked goods
• 
  Payasam
• 
  Halwa, ladoo, jilebi, and other sweets

They can make your blood sugar levels go too high. Talk to your dietitian about the type and amount of sweet foods that can fit into your meal plan.

Bottom line

By making small changes to traditional recipes, you can still enjoy your favourite foods. To help manage your blood sugar levels, eat a variety of foods according to Canada’s Food Guide and your personal meal plan. Choose more high fibre foods and healthier types of fat.

You may also be interested in:

Eating well with Diabetes: North India and Pakistan diets
Tips for healthy snacking for people with diabetes
Diabetes and Healthy Meal Planning
Facts on Fat

Last Update – September 16, 2019

Type 2 diabetes – Food and keeping active

Staying healthy if you have type 2 diabetes

A healthy diet and keeping active will help you manage your blood sugar level.

It’ll also help you control your weight and generally feel better.

You can eat many types of foods

There’s nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but you’ll have to limit certain foods.

You should:

• eat a wide range of foods – including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta
• keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum
• eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day – do not skip meals

If you need to change your diet, it might be easier to make small changes every week.

Information about food can be found on these diabetes sites:

Important

You should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to make sure your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) are OK.

Help with changing your diet

If you find it hard to change your diet, a dietitian might be able to help.

Talk to your GP or diabetes nurse to see if the cost could be covered through the NHS.

Being active lowers your blood sugar level

Physical exercise helps lower your blood sugar level. You should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week.

You can be active anywhere as long as what you’re doing gets you out of breath.

This could be:

• fast walking
• climbing stairs
• doing more strenuous housework or gardening

The charity Diabetes UK has tips on how to get active.

Your weight is important

Losing weight (if you’re overweight) will make it easier for your body to lower your blood sugar level, and can improve your blood pressure and cholesterol.

To know whether you’re overweight, work out your body mass index (BMI).

If you need to lose weight, it is recommended for most people to do it slowly over time. Aim for around 0.5 to 1kg a week.

The charity Diabetes UK has more information on healthy weight and weight loss.

There is evidence that eating a low-calorie diet (800 to 1,200 calories a day) on a short-term basis (around 12 weeks) can help with symptoms of type 2 diabetes. And some people have found that their symptoms go into remission.

A low-calorie diet is not safe or suitable for everyone with type 2 diabetes, such as people who need to take insulin. So it is important to get medical advice before going on this type of diet.

Diabetes UK has more information on low-calorie diets.

Page last reviewed: 18 August 2020
Next review due: 18 August 2023

90,000 Menu for a week with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinological disease in which mainly carbohydrate metabolism is disturbed. The consequences of this disease can be tragic if you do not start treatment on time and ignore the special menu for diabetes.

Nutrition plays an important role in the treatment of this disease.Currently, diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition, however, with the help of a properly selected diet, its destructive effects on the body can be minimal.

Type II diabetes mellitus requires an individual selection of the menu, so if you have this disease, be sure to consult a doctor. The diabetes menu below is indicative.

Menu Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes:

1. It is necessary to exclude or a sharp decrease in the amount of simple carbohydrates in food – sugar, honey, jam, chocolate, cakes, cookies, marmalade, semolina and rice groats.Only occasionally can these products be consumed. Also, these products may be necessary to relieve hypoglycemic conditions.
2. The diet of patients should contain mainly complex carbohydrates, sources – grain or bran bread, cereals, vegetables, fruits and berries.

All fruits and vegetables are divided into 3 groups:

1st group – these are products containing up to 5 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of the product. This group includes: cucumbers, tomatoes, white cabbage and cauliflower, zucchini, eggplant, lettuce, sorrel, spinach, rhubarb, radish, mushrooms, pumpkin, cranberries, lemons, sea buckthorn, apples and sour plums. These products can be consumed up to 600-800 g per day.

Products of the 2nd group contain from 5 to 10 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. This group includes: carrots, beets, onions, rutabagas, celery, bell peppers, beans, tangerines, oranges, grapefruit, apricots, cherry plums, watermelon, melon, pear, peaches, lingonberries, strawberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries, sweet apples and plums. They should be consumed no more than 200 g per day.

Finally, Group 3. These are products containing more than 10 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. It includes: potatoes, green peas, sweet potatoes, pineapples, bananas, pomegranates, cherries, figs, dates, persimmons, cherries, grapes, raisins, dried apricots, prunes. It is not recommended to use them in the menu for diabetes, or it is extremely rare to do so. Potatoes are allowed in an amount of 200-300 g per day, taking into account the total amount of carbohydrates.

3. It is necessary to enrich the diet with dietary fiber. They are able to lower blood sugar levels and keep them at optimal levels.Foods rich in dietary fiber include fruits, vegetables and cereals.
4. It is advisable to reduce animal fats in the diet and exclude such foods as pork, lamb, goose, ducks, liver, heart. Use egg yolks no more than 3-4 times a week.
5. Proteins should be present in sufficient quantities on the menu for type 2 diabetes. Their sources are: cottage cheese and other dairy products, beef, white poultry meat, fish, egg whites.
6. The diet should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.For this, food must be varied and nutritious.
7. Any method of cooking can be used, preference for cooking, stewing, baking. You shouldn’t cook breaded dishes.
8. The diet should be fractional, 4-6 times a day.
9. For patients receiving insulin, it is necessary to record carbohydrates with the counting of bread units. It is important that the amount of carbohydrates is at the same level every day.

This menu is more suitable for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, patients with the first type of diabetes should strictly control the blood sugar level, the amount of carbohydrates eaten and, based on these data, select the insulin dose, naturally, under the supervision of the attending physician.

MONDAY

Breakfast: buckwheat porridge

Lunch: onion soup; Osso buco or beef stew with vegetables

Afternoon snack: baked apples with cottage cheese

Dinner: pink salmon in a slow cooker on a vegetable pillow

TUESDAY

Breakfast: barley porridge with milk

Lunch: onion soup; Osso buco or beef stew with vegetables

Afternoon snack: white cabbage salad with apple

Dinner: pink salmon in a slow cooker on a vegetable pillow

ENVIRONMENT

Breakfast: millet porridge with pumpkin in a slow cooker (excluding raisins and sugar)

Lunch: tomato puree soup; homemade chicken sausages + side dish

Afternoon snack: cottage cheese with berries

Dinner: stewed squid with vegetables + sliced ​​fresh vegetables

THURSDAY

Breakfast: frittata with zucchini, spinach and tomatoes (for 1 serving – 2 eggs)

Lunch: tomato puree soup; homemade chicken sausages + side dish

Afternoon snack: dietetic syrniki

Dinner: stewed squid with vegetables + sliced ​​fresh vegetables

FRIDAY

Breakfast: dietetic syrniki

Lunch: vegetable puree soup in a slow cooker; halibut fillet in the oven

Afternoon snack: cabbage salad with cranberries

Dinner: chicken paprikash

SATURDAY

Breakfast: curd pate with radish

Lunch: vegetable puree soup in a slow cooker; halibut fillet in the oven

Afternoon snack: kiwi smoothie

Dinner: chicken paprikash

SUNDAY

Breakfast: couscous with pumpkin and cranberries in a slow cooker

Lunch: cold yogurt soup; chicken casserole in a slow cooker

Afternoon snack: salad with celery, mustard and walnuts

Dinner: pagasius fillet in a multicooker

Teas and fruit drinks are suitable for drinks, but they should be consumed without added sugar. Do not overuse juices, they contain a large amount of simple carbohydrates, the absorption of which is impaired in diabetes.

In addition to the above dishes, fruits should be included in the meal: plus 1-2 fruits to this menu, it is preferable that they be from the first or second food group. Also, dairy products with a minimum fat content should be added to this menu, it can be yoghurts, kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, etc.e. Make sure that the product contains no sugar.

The menu for type 2 diabetes has been developed taking into account the principles of the “Menu of the week” system.

Weekly shopping list (for 2 people)

Vegetables, fruits, herbs:
– pumpkin – 550 g
– fresh spinach – 1 cup
– zucchini – 2 pcs.
– tomatoes – 11 pcs.
– cherry tomatoes – 10 pcs.
– garlic – 1 pc.
– greens (parsley, dill, basil) – 5 bunches
– radishes – 110 g
– green onions – 17o g
– lettuce – 60 g
– onions – 2 kg
– fresh cucumber – 1 pc.
– Bulgarian pepper – 2 pcs.
– celery stalk – 6 stalks
– apples – 4 pcs.
– white cabbage – 400 g
– carrots – 5 pcs.
– green beans – 300 g
– asparagus – 150 g
– fennel – 150 g
– tomatoes in their own juice – 400 g
– cauliflower – 400 g
– potatoes – 5 pcs.
– broccoli – 400 g
– green peas – 200 g
– corn – 200 g
– apples – 4 pcs.
– lemon – 1 pc.
– kiwi – 2 pcs.
– mint – 2 sprigs
– blueberries – 60 g (or other berries)

Nuts, juices :
– apple juice – 50 ml
– orange juice – 100 ml
– walnut – 50 g

Meat, fish, eggs:
– eggs – 8 pcs.
– pangasius – 1 fillet
– beef – 700 g
– pink salmon – 500 g
– chicken fillet – 1200 g
– chicken liver – 200 g
– squid – 250 g
– halibut fillet – 3 pcs.

Dairy products:
– butter – 200 g
– milk – 2.5 l.
– cottage cheese – 580 g
– hard cheese – 150 g
– cream – 150 ml
– sour cream – 390 g
– yogurt – 320 ml

Groceries, spices and more:
– buckwheat – 2 cups
– pearl barley – 1 cup
– couscous – 1 cup
– oat flakes – 3 tbsp.l.
– sugar – 2 tablespoons
– millet – 200 g
– vegetable oil – 100 ml
– olive oil – 9 tbsp.
– sweet paprika – 3 tsp
– soda – 1 pinch
– corn flour – 2 tbsp.
– cinnamon – 1 pinch
– thyme – 1.5 tsp
– bay leaf – 1 pc.
– dried cranberries – 0.5 cups
– vegetable broth – 1 liter
– black pepper – 10 g
– grain bread – 15 pieces
– dry white wine – 150 g
– tomato paste – 1 tbsp.
– rosemary – 1 tspl.
– lemon zest – 1 tsp
– orange peel – 1 tsp
– wheat flour – 4 tablespoons
– starch – 1 tsp
– coriander – 0.5 tsp
– mustard – 1 tsp
– wine vinegar – 1 tablespoon
– nutmeg – 1 pinch

90,000 Diabetes mellitus diet: menu principles, recipes

Diabetes diet plays a huge role, because this problem is associated with metabolic disorders in the human body. The pancreas stops producing insulin, which allows the body to metabolize sugar.As a result, its content in the blood increases. The most common is type 2 diabetes mellitus, which usually develops after 40 years, and with age, the likelihood of its occurrence increases, and it is more common in women. Disturbed metabolism ultimately leads to weight gain (obesity), dyslipidemia.

A balanced diet is the basis of a diabetic’s lifestyle

You can fight this condition with the help of drugs and food restrictions, and the preparation of the correct dietary menu.

Consider the basic principles of making the menu, as well as the features of diets for type 1 and type 2 diabetes , consider a specific example of the diet by day of the week , as well as recipes for dietary dishes.

Basic principles of nutrition in diabetes mellitus

The choice of the menu for this disease is carried out in accordance with the individual characteristics of the human body. It is necessary to focus on weight, the severity of the disease, professional activity, lifestyle, other health problems, if any, the possibility of allergic reactions to one or another food.You also need to determine the type of diabetes (1st, 2nd, sugar or insipidus). Therefore, a visit to a doctor, an endocrinologist, in any case, is mandatory in order to draw up a diet in the most accurate way. However, there are general recommendations from specialists :

1. Eliminate sweet foods from everyday meals. Otherwise, you will need to use antihyperglycemic drugs.
2. Limit the total calorie intake of food.
3. When preparing dishes, it is better to use boiling, stewing, baking.
4. Avoid vegetable fats when cooking.
5. No strict diets and exhausting hunger strikes, because the rate of sugar in the blood can be pathologically violated.
6. Main meals should account for approximately 75% of the total daily ration, and the remaining 25% should be snacks.
7. It is recommended to exclude fatty, spicy, salty, smoked foods and snacks, as well as alcohol.
8. Nutrition is the same in terms of the amount of carbohydrates, calories.
9. Sugar can be replaced with saccharin, sorbitol, fructose (with caution, depending on individual characteristics).

Product List

Allowed

The diet of a diabetic should include food with a high content of plant fibers – cereals, vegetables, nuts, beans . This will make it possible to maintain normal blood sugar levels and prevent an increase in cholesterol levels.

People with this disease can eat fruits: apples, peaches, grapefruits, lemons . They need to be consumed in small quantities – no more than 200 grams.per day, since they contain fructose, which can increase sugar.

The menu must include protein, preferably in the form of chicken , or legumes – soy, beans . You can cook beef or offal dishes twice a week. It is healthy to eat fish and seafood.

It is quite acceptable to use fermented milk products such as kefir, yogurt, unsweetened yogurt. Sometimes you can eat a small amount of cheese, sour cream or cream, but it is better to use low-fat dairy products .It is advisable to limit cottage cheese on the menu, as it contains a lot of carbohydrates.

Eggs can also be added to the diet, but it is better to limit yourself to protein, because the yolk contains cholesterol. Vegetables must be included in the diet, but it is better to choose those that do not contain starch.

Lentils are extremely useful for diabetics, they must be included in the weekly diet. This product does not raise glucose levels at all, in addition, it is very useful in itself and has great nutritional value.

Lentils – product number 1 for diabetes

Prohibited foods

Diabetes mellitus diet involves avoiding these foods:

• sweets, sweet pastries, lemonades – anything that contains sugar;
• flour, because it contains easily digestible carbohydrates that increase glucose levels;

90,031 potatoes, legumes, beets due to their high starch content;

90,031 sweet fruits and berries: bananas, grapes, watermelons, and fruit juices;

90,031 fast food and fatty foods, because an increase in the amount of fat in the blood contributes to the development of the disease.

The listed food leads to a worsening of the patient’s condition, while the refusal from it will stabilize his condition.

How to choose a diet?

An approximate diet for diabetes can be as follows:

• In the morning, you can eat a fairly high-calorie food in the form of cheese, eggs, sausage or porridge. As drinks, tea or coffee with low-fat milk are suitable.
• For the second meal, eggs, unsweetened fruits are suitable.
• Lunch time involves a fairly voluminous meal: snacks, salads, soups, as a second – fish or meat, for dessert jelly or compote.
• Further, the use of dairy products of low fat content is permissible.
• At dinner you can eat salad, meat or fish dish. You can cook vegetables or cereals as a side dish.

It is advisable to eat food at the same time, several times a day (preferably 5-6) every 4 hours, portions should be moderate.

Video with recipes for a low carb diet for diabetes:

The patient must definitely control his body weight, his menu is made up so that the total number of calories per day does not exceed 1800.To control the amount of calories, it is advisable to purchase foods that have information about their energy value.

Peculiarities of diets for type 1 and type 2 diabetes

For type 1 diabetes , the correct diet is combined with insulin intake. Without diet, it is impossible to stabilize blood glucose levels, and this will affect the state of the entire human body.

With type 2 diabetes drug therapy is not always necessary. Usually, with such a disease, the patient suffers from excess weight, so his diet should first of all be aimed at reducing it.With good results, you can fight the problem without medication.

A low-carb diet for type 1 diabetes is a must to prevent possible complications. It is imperative to maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in food.

A protein diet for diabetes can be very effective, especially for people with type 2. It is based on the fact that most of the calories come from protein foods.

Sample Menu

Since this disease has a chronic form, it is necessary to learn to live with it and get used to a special diet.It makes sense to make a menu for the week. So it is easier for the patient to choose products, and exercise self-control.

Below is an example of what a diabetic’s diet might look like by day of the week.

1. Morning – oatmeal, cheese, bread, unsweetened tea;
2. Lunch – borscht, steamed cutlet, stewed cabbage, a slice of rye bread;
3. Afternoon snack – apple, unsweetened tea;
4. Dinner – vinaigrette, boiled chicken.

1. Breakfast – soft-boiled eggs, vegetable salad, tea;
2. Lunch – vegetable salad, fish soup, baked chicken meat, bread, dried fruit compote;
3. Afternoon snack – kefir, orange;
4. Dinner – beans, boiled or baked fish.

1. Breakfast – buckwheat porridge, low-fat cottage cheese, coffee;
2. Lunch – pickle, stewed eggplant, fish or boiled meat;
3. Afternoon snack – natural yoghurt without additives, grapefruit;
4. Evening – curd casserole.

1. Morning – two egg omelet, vegetable salad, tea;
2. Lunch – cabbage rolls, borsch, bread;
3. Afternoon snack – rosehip broth, cookies are not sweet;
4. Dinner – fish or chicken, green beans, fruit drink.

1. Breakfast – kefir, cheese;
2. Lunch – vegetable salad, baked vegetables, compote;
3. Afternoon snack – dry bread, yogurt;
4. Dinner – steamed cutlet, stewed cabbage.

Stewed cabbage for diabetes

1. Breakfast – lightly salted salmon, scrambled eggs, unsweetened fruit drink;
2. Afternoon snack – low-fat cottage cheese;
3. Lunch – vegetable soup, meat goulash, vegetable caviar, compote;
4. Dinner – boiled turkey fillet, young fresh peas, stewed zucchini.

1. Breakfast – cottage cheese pancakes, ham, tea;
2. Lunch – cabbage soup, chicken cutlet, stewed zucchini, bread;
3. Afternoon snack – a little plums, fermented baked milk;
4. Evening – meatballs, stewed vegetables, bread, rosehip broth;

Recipes

We bring to your attention recipes for the preparation of dietary meals for diabetes.

Bean soup

Ingredients:

• 1.5 l vegetable broth;

90,031 a handful of green beans;

90,031 small bunch of parsley;

• potatoes 3 pcs.

Preparation:

Boil the broth, add diced onions and potatoes, cook for 20 minutes, add beans. Bring the soup to a boil, wait 5 minutes, remove the pan from heat, add finely chopped herbs.

Baked salmon

Ingredients

• 5 kg salmon fillet;
• head of garlic;
• greens;
• 50 ml olive oil;
• spices – to taste

How to cook:

Peel and chop the garlic, mix with chopped herbs and olive oil.Wash the fillets, dry them, place them on a greased baking sheet, skin side down. Cover the salmon with the garlic mixture and refrigerate for an hour and a half. Then preheat the oven to 190 ⁰ C. Bake for no more than 15 minutes.

Not only adults, but also children, who find it much more difficult to endure dietary restrictions, can suffer from diabetes mellitus.

We offer recipes for several dishes that can be prepared for children.

Oatmeal cookies

Ingredients:

• 0.5 cups dried fruit;
• 0.5 cups of oatmeal;

90,031 0.25 cups fructose;

90,031 2 eggs;

• 0.5 cups oat flour.

How to cook:

Mix proteins with fructose and vanilla. Mix oatmeal, flour separately, add dried fruits. Introduce proteins into the resulting dry mixture and mix gently. Put the mass in small portions on a baking sheet. Bake at a temperature of 200 ⁰ C until golden brown.

Apple charlotte

Ingredients:

• 3 apples;

90,031 4 eggs;

• 1/2 cup sweetener
• 2 cups flour.

How to cook:

Beat eggs with sweetener. Add flour and stir with a mixer. Cut the apples and put them in the dough. Transfer to a baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes at a temperature of 200 ⁰ C.

Lentils with vegetables

Lentils are very useful for diabetes! For this recipe we need:

• Water – 4 glasses
• Brown Lentils (Washed) – Half Cup
• Chopped onions – 1/4 pcs.
• Carrots – 1 pc.
• Garlic – 2 cloves
• Dried bay leaves – 1 pc.
• Spinach (chopped and washed leaves) – 250 g.
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
• A little ground black pepper.

The dish is prepared according to the pilaf principle. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except spinach and black pepper and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat, cover and cook for about 15 minutes. Drain off excess water and remove the bay leaf. Add black pepper and spinach, cover the pan, and simmer for another 2-3 minutes over low heat.Put the contents in a deep bowl. The healthy lentil diet dish is ready, enjoy!

It is very important to follow the correct diet for diabetics, as this condition threatens not only their health, but also their lives.

90,000 what is possible and what is not

Speaking about the complex treatment of diabetes mellitus, we are talking about the balance of different types of therapy: insulin therapy, a selected program of the daily menu, therapeutic physical exercises. A properly balanced diet remains an essential component of the daily life of any patient diagnosed with diabetes.So how do you eat right with diabetes?

The ideal menu for diabetics, in accordance with the recommendations of specialists, should be drawn up strictly individually: according to the person’s lifestyle, the results of blood tests and other examinations, the patient’s habits and taste preferences. Today there is no such thing as a “diabetic menu” that suits all patients without exception.

What are the optimal times between meals?

In the past, there was a single recommendation for all diabetics about the correct timing between meals – they should eat every 3 hours.Today this recommendation does not sound so categorical. If a person is accustomed to eating every 3 hours, and it is convenient for him, he can continue in this routine. But, if the patient is not used to eating every 3 hours, he can get a menu that suits his habits and taste preferences.

Prohibited foods for diabetics

Today, there is practically no talk about products that are prohibited or allowed for diabetics. We are talking about the amount and frequency of intake of foods that are not recommended for use.However, diabetics should avoid almost all types of juices, as each fruit contains about 3 teaspoons of sugar. For example, to get a glass of orange juice, you need to squeeze about three oranges, which means nine teaspoons of sugar, which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Only in cases of a sharp drop in blood glucose levels, it is recommended to drink juices to quickly restore it. In any other case, you should try to replace the juices with other drinks.

What about potatoes?

Previously, there was a categorical ban on the consumption of potatoes.Today, experts advise checking the body’s reaction to potatoes: checking the sugar level before and after eating, and comparing the results. If you find out that sugar “jumps” every time you eat with potatoes, do not abuse it. The same should be done with any other product containing sugar – fruits, milk, sweets, and include them in the menu only after consulting a nutritionist.

Useful products for diabetics

We’re talking about foods that don’t spike blood sugar: the main group of these foods is healthy fats.Healthy / healthy fats include olive oil, avocados, tahini, and any nuts. Another group of foods that moderately affect blood sugar levels are protein foods. The group includes chicken, turkey, fish, beef, eggs, cheese. The third food group, which also does not significantly affect the state of the blood sugar level, is vegetables. Almost all vegetables contain carbohydrates, but in much smaller quantities than, for example, the group of baked goods. But it is important to know that vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and peas, which contain a high percentage of carbohydrates, are equated with foods rich in carbohydrates, and therefore it is recommended to limit their consumption.Green leafy vegetables contain the least amount of sugar in their composition compared to other vegetables.

Is it difficult for diabetics to lose weight?

Weight loss difficulties are most often experienced by patients who inject high doses of insulin or take medications that increase insulin secretion.