Three Delicious and Healthy Diabetic Recipes for Dinner

Diabetes is a disease that affects 1 in 10 Americans and is rapidly increasing according to many health experts. Some medical studies have indicated that by mid century, that figure could easily be 1 in 3. Diabetes is a condition that causes the body to be unable able to process sugar properly. These studies have linked the rise in diabetes with the growing obesity epidemic. In 2007, diabetes was listed as the seventh leading cause of death among American adults.

It is most important for a person diagnosed with diabetes to live a healthy lifestyle that includes proper diet, exercise and plenty of water. Nutrition is one of the key steps a diabetic can take in controlling the effects of the disease. Following the right kind of diet will help you control weight, as well as blood sugar levels. The great news is there are literally thousands of delicious and healthy diabetic recipes you could be making for dinner. No matter what type of food you may be craving, you are sure to find tasty and appetizing, diabetic-safe recipes for a great dinner. Here are three mouth-watering diabetic recipes you can try for your next meal.

Who says a diabetic’s diet has to be bland! This recipe for chicken parmesan is as good as it gets, and it is oh, so easy to prepare. Your whole family will love this tasty chicken recipe.

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil spray
• 4 slices whole-wheat bread
• 1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-1/2 tbsp finely snipped fresh parsley
• 1-1/2 tsp paprika
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crumbled
• 1/2 c. nonfat or low-fat buttermilk
• Vegetable oil spray
• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 4 ounces each, all visible fat removed

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a midsize baking sheet and slightly smaller cooling rack with vegetable oil spray. Put the rack on the baking sheet and set it aside.
2. Using a food processor or blender, chop the bread into fine crumbs and pour them into a shallow bowl. Stir in the Parmesan, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, and thyme.
3. Pour the buttermilk into a shallow bowl.
4. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Dip the chicken into the buttermilk, shake off the excess milk, dredge it in the crumbs. Then, shake off any excess crumbs. Put the chicken on the cooling rack and spray each breast with vegetable oil spray.
5. Bake for 15 minutes and turn chicken. Then, bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until done.

Meatloaf has always been considered a comfort food. Here is a great recipe for a no-frills, simply delicious home-style meatloaf recipe just like grandma used to make!

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp green pepper, chopped fine
• 2 c. lean ground round (15% fat or less)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 slices of bread, cubed fine
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/4 c. catsup
• 1 tbsp minced horseradish
• 1/3 c. onion, chopped fine

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix all the ingredients well.
3. Form the ingredients into a loaf.
4. Place in tin-foil lined 5”x 9” baking pan.
5. Bake until done (usually 15-20 minutes).

They sure do know their seafood down on the bayou. This Cajun shrimp dish is chock full of tasty seasonings and mouth-watering flavor. It also goes great over white rice!

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. of dry white wine
• 1 c. of diced onions
• 1/2 c. of diced celery
• 1-1/2 c. of diced red pepper
• 1/2 c. of diced green pepper
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 c. of sliced okra
• 4 c. canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp of “no-added-salt” tomato paste
• 1 c. of fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp of paprika
• 1/2 tsp of celery seed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 lb. of large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large pot or kettle, heat the white wine over medium heat until it boils slightly.
2. Add the onions, celery, red pepper, green pepper, and garlic. Then sauté for 10 minutes.
3. Add the okra, tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, cayenne pepper, paprika, celery seed, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp and cook for 5-6 minutes more until the shrimp turn pink. Season with pepper and salt.
5. Serve in bowls with cooked white rice if preferred.

These dishes go to show that a diabetic menu with meals prepared using diabetic recipes can be tasty, mouthwatering and, yes, even delicious! You and your family should never have to tolerate bland, boring food just because of a diabetic condition. By just modifying some of the ingredients in your favorite recipes, and by finding delicious diabetic recipes like the ones here, you’ll still be able to enjoy great tasting meals anytime without worrying about your blood sugar levels going through the roof.