49 Recipes for Diabetics: Low-Sugar and Low-Carb Menu Ideas (2024)

When you're first diagnosed with diabetes, it often comes as a rude awakening. Making diabetic-specific recipes and watching your intake of sugar and carbohydrates can be tricky if you're not sure where to start.

But don't worry. Before long, you'll discover a wide variety of delicious recipes that you can enjoy. These recipes will be sugar-free and low-carb, but they'll taste as good as, if not better than, your old recipes. Being diabetic shouldn't stop you from enjoying the foods you love; you just need to be more aware of portion control and nutritional information.

To help you find recipes that fit your lifestyle, we've provided 49 low-sugar and low-carb recipes that will delight both you and your family. This collection features a wide variety of diabetic-friendly recipes that are easy to make and serve as phenomenal recipes for family suppers and even dinner parties. Your guests will never suspect that they are eating healthy recipes because they'll be raving about the amazing taste!

For more great recipes like this, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

Breakfast Recipes

The wholesome low-carb diabetic recipes in this collection are the perfect way to start your day. Although these recipes are low in carbs and sugar, they're packed with protein and flavor. We promise that all of these diabetic breakfast recipes would be perfect to jump start your day. Whether you want a leisurely breakfast at home or need something to eat in a hurry, these breakfast recipes will fit the bill! You'll rise and shine with these easy breakfast recipes. You can even make a few of these recipes in advance, saving you even more time in the morning.

  • Single-Serving Mini Quiche

  • Little Omelet Muffins

  • Crustless Quiche Casserole

  • Miss Bessie's Breakfast Bake

  • Flourless Almond Butter Muffins

  • Paleo Huevos Divorciados

Snack Recipes

When you're looking for an afternoon snack, you need to check this list of easy healthy recipes first. These diabetic-friendly snacks offer a little sugar kick to tide you over, but you won't experience an ounce of guilt. You'll also love that these snack recipes are easy to make and full of flavor, so you can easily curb your hunger without stopping for a quick snack at a vending machine. Consider making a second batch of these snacks to bring to work or to keep on hand while running errands. You'll be glad you did!

Lunch Ideas

Below, you'll find easy-to-make and yummy-to-eat lunch recipes. Fill up on protein, veggies, fruit, and whole grains when you whip up one of these low-carb lunch ideas. All of these easy lunch recipes will keep you going during long afternoons at work and everyone in the office will be jealous of your delicious food. If you're looking for a way to change up your lunchtime routine, then you'll need to keep these recipes in mind. Comforting and delicious, these recipes are anything but dull and will keep you feeling full long after your lunch break.

  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Pizza

  • Grandma's Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Chicken Fried Cauliflower Rice

  • Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

  • Low-Carb Mac and Cheese

  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Wraps

  • Skinny Taco Stuffed Peppers

  • Asian Turkey Meatballs

  • Asian Quinoa Meatballs

  • Cherry Tomato Frittata

  • Gluten Free Ham and Egg Fried Rice

  • Simple Chicken Cacciatore

Dinner Recipes

These options for diabetic recipes were selected because they are low in sugar and carbs. Below, you will find main meals that will fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied. When you make these recipes, your friends and family will never suspect how healthy they actually are. These healthy dinner recipes are perfect for a busy weeknight, especially after a long day of work, running errands, and completing chores. Instead of ordering delivery from your favorite takeout place, stick to your dietary plans and make these dinner recipes. Keeping these recipes at your fingertips will help you stay on track.

  • Quick and Easy Herbed Lemon Garlic Shrimp

  • Simple Salsa Slow Cooker Chicken

  • Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry

  • Crustless Roasted Red Pepper Quiche

  • Simple Soy and Lime Chicken

  • Skinny Kale and Butternut Squash Quiche

  • Crustless Spinach and Feta Pie

  • Broccoli and Zucchini Noodle Casserole

  • Indian Flavored Pounded Chicken

  • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy

  • Zucchini Stuffed with Chicken Enchilada

  • Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon

  • Low-Carb Teriyaki Salmon

  • Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Breast

  • Balsamic Chicken and Tomato Dinner

  • Mongolian Chicken Recipe

  • Broiled Tilapia with Tomato Caper Sauce

  • Buffalo Baked Chicken

Diabetic Dessert Recipes

You may be diabetic, but that doesn't mean you have to cut out all sweets from your diet. Indulge your sweet tooth with these low-carb dessertswithout worrying about straying from your dietary needs.A single serving of these treats would be the perfect way to end any day. You'll love indulging in these delicious desserts, and will discover new twists on classic recipes that you will love. You can even share these desserts with family and friends at your next potluck or other get-together. Fair warning, though — you just might not have any leftovers!

  • 5-Ingredient Single-Serve Chocolate Cake

  • Low-Carb Chocolate Brownies

  • Healthy Zucchini Brownies

  • No-Bake Thumbprint Cookies

  • Low-Carb Scotcharoos

  • Healthy Homemade Oreos

  • Copycat Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs

49 Recipes for Diabetics: Low-Sugar and Low-Carb Menu Ideas (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 is a good breakfast lunch and dinner for a diabetic? ›

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.

How do you cook for type 2 diabetes? ›

7 Tips for Diabetes-Friendly Cooking
  1. Cook with liquid fats in place of solid fats.
  2. Switch to low-fat dairy.
  3. Use less fat altogether.
  4. Be smart about carbs.
  5. Skimp on the sugar.
  6. Experiment with flavor.
  7. Ask a pro.
Nov 5, 2022

What foods are good for diabetics? ›

Nonstarchy vegetables—such as leafy greens, peppers, carrots, or green beans—should make up half of your plate. Carb foods that are high in fiber—such as brown rice, whole grains, beans, or fruits—should make up one-quarter of your plate.

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. Children often need reminding to drink, so give them a colourful water bottle with a funky straw.

What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

10 Worst Foods for Your Blood Sugar
  • KETCHUP. ...
  • WHITE PASTA. ...
  • BAGELS. ...
  • ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS. ...
  • FRUIT JUICE. ...
  • ENERGY BARS. ...
  • LOW-FAT SWEETENED YOGURT. ...
  • SPORTS DRINKS AND ENERGY DRINKS. Energy drinks and sports drinks carry all the woes of fruit juice with the added no-no of more sugars.

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 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 is the best dessert for a diabetic to eat? ›

Diabetes and Sweets
  • Fresh, seasonal fruit dipped in yogurt. ...
  • Low-carb coconut macaroons. ...
  • Angel food cake topped with sugar-free whipped cream. ...
  • Frozen grapes and frozen banana slices. ...
  • Grilled fruit topped with sugar-free whipped topping. ...
  • Sugar-free carrot cake. ...
  • Keto chocolate cake. ...
  • Mascarpone & pineapple cheesecake.
6 days ago

What foods will lower blood sugar quickly? ›

Here are five foods that can make a difference.
  • Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. ...
  • Go nuts. That's right—go ahead and snack on almonds, cashews or even pistachios. ...
  • Leafy greens. ...
  • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
  • Whole grains.

What is fast acting food for diabetics? ›

Fast-acting carbs: Glucose tablets, glucose drinks, full-sugar soft drinks or squashes, jellies (not diet), sweets. Medium-acting carbs: Bread, pasta, potatoes, yams, breakfast cereal, couscous.

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast? ›

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What do diabetics eat everyday? ›

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 Cannot be eaten by diabetics? ›

You limit dairy products, red meat, sweets, added sugars, sodium (salt), and highly processed foods. Some additional guidelines include focusing on seasonal produce and reading food labels to help you avoid added sodium and sugar.

What does a diabetic dinner look like? ›

A type of carbohydrate that isn't digested, fiber helps improve blood sugar levels. Like protein, it's broken down slowly and prevents blood sugar spikes. High-fiber foods include whole grains—like quinoa, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal and whole-wheat pasta—plus fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils.

What is the biggest meal of the day for diabetics? ›

How should a person with diabetes start the day? Eat a big breakfast. Eating a large meal in the morning and smaller meals for lunch and dinner may promote weight loss, lower glucose levels, and decrease daily insulin dose in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to a 2022 review.

What should a diabetic not eat at night? ›

"Because you'll have high blood sugar levels in the morning, it may be recommended that you avoid eating a carbohydrate-rich snack before bed, as it could cause blood sugar levels to rise," Cartlidge says. If that continues, the effects of the dawn phenomenon could be exacerbated.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 6628

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.