5 Delicious Diabetes-Friendly Recipes for Maximum Flavour and Health Benefits
Diabetes-friendly meals don’t have to be bland or boring. With just a few ingredient substitutions and cooking techniques, you can whip up dishes that are both delicious and great for blood sugar management. Here are five scrumptious diabetes-friendly recipes to enjoy!
1. Turmeric Chicken Skewers
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts cut into chunks
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions:
- Preheat grill or oven (350°F).
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, turmeric, and paprika thoroughly.
- Add the chicken and coat it with the spice mix until it is well coated.
- Thread the chicken onto skewers and bake or grill for about 8-10 minutes, turning them occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
Serve it with a side of steamed veggies and enjoy.
2. Shrimp and Zucchini Noodles
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp
- 6 zucchinis
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on.
- With a spiralizer or vegetable peeler, make zucchini noodles to desired thickness.
- Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet, sauté the shrimp for 2-3 minutes until pink, and then transfer to a bowl.
- Heat another tablespoon of oil in the skillet and sauté the zucchini noodles (or ‘zoodles’) along with salt and pepper for around 3-5 minutes, until tender yet firm.
- Add the cooked shrimp, stir together well, and finish with fresh basil.
This dish is light, refreshing, and a low-carb option to add to your list.
3. Cajun Roasted Vegetables with Quinoa
Ingredients:
- 2 small zucchinis
- 2 bell peppers (red and yellow)
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and chop vegetables and onion into desired-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss vegetables so they are evenly coated with seasoning and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast vegetables for around 25 minutes or until they are lightly charred and tender.
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook quinoa according to packaging instructions (this usually takes less than 20 minutes).
- Once cooked, combine the roasted veggies with the quinoa and serve.
Get ready to enjoy excellent Cajun flavors with a heaping serving of veggies.
4. Apple and Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 large apple, sliced
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar to taste
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, bring almond milk, oats, and cinnamon to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir continuously for around 5-6 minutes, until the liquid is fully absorbed and the oatmeal has a creamy texture.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in maple syrup.
- Top oatmeal with apple slices and a little brown sugar.
Get ready to enjoy a warming breakfast that bolsters a sweet tooth.
5. Mushroom and Turkey Stroganoff
Ingredients:
- 1 small package (approx. 400g) turkey strips
- 3 cup mixed mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, packed tight
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 can unsalted tomato paste
- 2 tbsp Mushroom broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté garlic, onion, and mixed mushrooms with olive oil until soft and tender.
- Add turkey slices and cook for around 2-3 minutes on each side, until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, mushroom broth, salt, and pepper, simmering for around 5-7 minutes, until turkey is cooked through.
- Add spinach leaves and cook until they are wilted.
- Divide into serving dishes and enjoy.
This savory stroganoff loaded tastes light but packs follow through on the flavor.
These five recipes are bursting with deliciousness, yet they remain entirely diabetes-friendly as well as packed with nutrients. Stop sacrificing your food enjoyment: Plan to savor your meals and create nourishing relationships with your food.