18 Diabetic-Friendly Comfort Food Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings (2024)

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18 Diabetic-Friendly Comfort Food Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings (1)Rachel SwalinUpdated: Oct. 12, 2022

    These recipes for classic comfort foods dish up their familiar flavors in a healthy way.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    Of all the recipes I make in my slow-cooker, this is my favorite. If you like your BBQ sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. Shared by Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Mini Apple Strudels

    Present strudel in a whole new way! Phyllo dough surrounds tender slices of apple in this version. One strudel is only 100 calories, so you can have dessert without any guilt. Recipe shared by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Check out these tasty diabetic recipes you’ll want to make over and over.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Creamy Chicken Rice Soup

    I came up with this thick flavorful soup while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. Recipe shared by Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Hamburger Noodle Casserole

    People have a hard time believing this homey and hearty casserole uses lighter ingredients. The taste is so rich and creamy. It’s agreat weeknight family entree! Recipe shared by Martha Henson, Winnsboro, Texas.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake

    My daughter can’t have gluten, and my husband is diabetic, so there are a lot of special-diet recipes in our house. This fruit-topped cake is often on the table. Recipe shared by Anne Wiebe, Gladstone, Manitoba.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Homemade Fish Sticks

    I’m a nutritionist and needed a healthy fish fix. Moist inside and crunchy outside, these fish sticks are great with oven fries or roasted veggies and low-fat homemade tartar sauce. Recipe shared by Jennifer Rowland, Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Veggie Chowder

    Packed with potatoes, carrots and corn, this soup is a great healthy dinner choice. It’s not too heavy, so it also makes a nice light partner for a sandwich. Recipe shared by Vicki Kerr, Portland, Maine. Check out this vegetable all people with type-2 diabetes should be eating more of.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Rolled Buttermilk Biscuits

    I scribbled down this recipe when our family visited the Cooperstown Farm Museum more than 25 years ago. I must have gotten it right, because these biscuits turn out great every time. Recipe shared by Patricia Kile of Greentown, Pennsylvania.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Mexi-Mac Skillet

    My husband loves this recipe, and I love how simple it is to put together. Since you don’t need to pre-cook the noodles, it’s a time-saving dish. Recipe shared by Maurane Ramsey, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Here’s how to eat healthy at Mexican restaurants.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Italian Pork Stew

    Don’t skip the anchovy paste in this stew! It gives a good, salty flavor, but doesn’t taste fishy at all. Add a salad and crusty bread for an incredible meal. Recipe shared by Lynne German, Cumming, Georgia.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Frosted Mocha Cake

    The mixture of both sugar and sugar substitute helps keep the sweetness while still cutting calories and carbs. If you want to make the recipe even better for you, use reduced-fat whipped topping in the frosting. Recipe shared by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Makeover Beef & Sausage Lasagna

    The original version of this dish was much higher in cholesterol and saturated fat. You’ll love this trimmed-down take. Recipe shared by Jacob Kitzman, Seattle, Washington.When you’re tired of making meals at home, try out these tastyrestaurant dishes that are great for people with diabetes.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Creole Jambalaya

    Jambalaya is a traditional Louisiana dish, coming from our Spanish and French culture. Rice is the main ingredient, with different meats or seafood mixed in. I particularly like this variation with shrimp and ham. Recipe shared by Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Zesty Horseradish Meat Loaf

    You’ll love this tasty, zippy meat loaf. Make sandwiches out of the leftovers to get double duty out of this delicious meal with a kick. Recipe shared by Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

    These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Lower the sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats, and walnuts. In our house we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners’ sugar, because the fruit is so sweet you don’t need syrup. Recipe shared by Patricia Swart, Galloway, New Jersey.Here are some helpfultricks for diabetes diet planning.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Tomato Soup with Cheese Tortellini

    Tortellini gives this garden-fresh tomato soup stick-to-your-ribs goodness. It’s a staple on my family’s table. Recipe shared by Susan Peck, Republic, Missouri. Check out the real reason some of us crave pasta so much.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Small Batch Brownies

    If the dessert just has to be chocolate, these rich fudgy brownies are a perfect solution for your family. And you can pretty them up with a dusting of powdered sugar. Recipe shared by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Cheese Smashed Potatoes

    Who doesn’t like mashed potatoes? Try this slimmed-down dish with any entree. Recipe shared by Janet Homes, Surprise, Arizona. Here are 15 foods that people with diabetes can—and should—enjoy.

    Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

    Originally Published: October 13, 2015

    Originally Published in Reader's Digest

    18 Diabetic-Friendly Comfort Food Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings (2024)

    FAQs

    What meals can diabetics eat freely? ›

    Dinner ideas when you have diabetes
    • lasagne and salad.
    • roast chicken and vegetables, with or without potatoes.
    • beef stir-fry and vegetables, with or without brown rice.
    • chicken tortillas and salad.
    • salmon and vegetables, with or without noodles.
    • curry with chickpeas and brown rice.

    What are the 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.

    What is the best dinner for diabetics? ›

    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 can I satisfy my diabetic hunger? ›

    If you're feeling hungry after dinner, try drinking a glass of water first. Sometimes thirst mimics hunger. If you're still feeling hungry, your best bet is a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie snack, preferably one that's high in protein or fiber, such as Greek yogurt or a small handful of nuts.

    What are the top 10 best foods for diabetics? ›

    What are the healthiest foods for a person with type 2 diabetes?
    • Sweet potatoes. ...
    • Berries. ...
    • Salmon. ...
    • Oatmeal. ...
    • Nuts. ...
    • Yogurt. ...
    • Avocado. ...
    • Quinoa. Quinoa is a nutrient-rich seed that is often referred to as an ancient grain.

    What should diabetics drink first thing in the morning? ›

    Water is the best all-round drink. If your family likes flavoured waters, make your own by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or strawberries.

    What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

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

    What is the best meal for type 2 diabetes? ›

    It's highly recommended that any diet plan for those with type 2 diabetes is well-rounded, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, high fiber, healthy, unsaturated fats and proteins, such as lean meats, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, lentils, and tofu.

    What is the most important meal of the day for a diabetic? ›

    If you have diabetes, skipping breakfast can have a negative effect on your blood sugar control throughout the day. 1 Instead, focus on eating a higher-fat and moderate-protein breakfast. Studies have found that the right breakfast may reduce fasting blood sugar, A1C (average blood sugar levels), and weight.

    What drink lowers blood sugar? ›

    Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

    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.

    Are cheerios good for diabetics? ›

    Are Cheerios okay for diabetics? Cheerios have a GI rating of 74, which classifies them as a high GI breakfast cereal. A person with diabetes should consider other cereal options instead, such as wheat bran cereals like Kellogg's All-Bran and Post 100% Bran.

    What is a good breakfast sandwich for diabetics? ›

    Make healthy swaps — for example, make your breakfast sandwich on a whole-grain, high-fiber English muffin, toast, or bagel and swap out 2% cheese for full-fat cheese and Canadian bacon for turkey bacon. Change out sides like hash browns for more nutritious options, such as fruit or yogurt.

    What to put on toast for diabetics? ›

    You could also try topping wholegrain toast with scrambled egg or egg bhurji, avocado, cottage cheese with edamame beans and tomatoes, or grilled tomatoes and mushrooms.

    Why do diabetics feel hungry at night? ›

    Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in your blood, causing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Glucose (sugar) is the main form of energy your body uses from the food you eat. Without enough insulin, your body can't use glucose for energy. This lack of energy usage causes an increase in hunger.

    What noodles don't spike blood sugar? ›

    Compare: The Best Low-GI Pasta Options
    • It's Skinny Pasta. We may be biased, but with zero net carbs and a glycemic index of zero, It's Skinny Pasta really is the best pasta option out there. ...
    • Palmini. ...
    • Zoodles. ...
    • Miracle Noodles. ...
    • Spaghetti Squash. ...
    • Yuho Konjac Noodle. ...
    • Banza Chickpea Pasta. ...
    • Traditional Pasta.
    Apr 1, 2024

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