One of the biggest misconceptions about living with diabetes is that your diet has to be boring and bland. While diabetics do need to focus on making healthy food choices, that doesn’t mean you have to bid farewell to your favorite treats and flavors. On the contrary, experts recommend against severely restricting your diet because it often leads to unhealthy binges that can be disastrous for diabetes.
Instead, people with diabetes should focus on achieving a healthy balance of smart and indulgent eating. One way to do this easily is by crafting diabetes-friendly recipes that feel more indulgent than they actually are. It’s kind of like having your cake and eating it, too – you get to enjoy the rich flavors you love without sacrificing your well-controlled blood sugar.
If that sounds like a fantasy, try out one of the below recipes to send your tastebuds – but not your blood sugar – on an indulgent ride.
Sugar Free Blueberry Coffee Cake
Don’t let the “sugar-free” fool you – this scrumptious cake is as sweet as it gets. The rich flavor of blueberries and brown sugar are perfectly paired with a crumbly cinnamon topping that’s best served warm.
Apple Muffins
These diabetes-friendly muffins use a sugar substitute, nutmeg, ground cinnamon and fresh apples to create a moist and carb-friendly snack that’s a true guiltless pleasure.
Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls
This yummy dinner recipe captures that rich fajita flavor without the need for those carb-heavy tortillas. Plus, it’s easy to make and clean up – just pile your chicken and fresh vegetables on a single sheet-pan for a quick and tasty meal!
Lemon Chicken Pasta
This zesty dish uses spiralized zucchini and whole-wheat spaghetti noodles to create a bright and healthy twist on classic chicken pasta. With panko breadcrumbs and fresh lemon zest, it’s the perfect combination of taste and texture.
Carne Asada Tacos
These guilt-free flank-steak tacos are made with fresh (not fried) corn tortillas and topped with a pile of homemade salsa so they are low-calorie, low-sugar, and low-sodium. But don’t worry – they’re totally high in flavor!
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
This moist and decadent chocolate cake uses whole-wheat flour and heart-healthy canola oil to create a full-flavor dessert that’s delicious and diabetes-friendly.