10 Best Diabetes Dinner Ideas (2024)

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Diabetes friendly dinner ideas can be a challenge! Here I have compiled a list of 10 of our best diabetes-friendly and delicious recipes for you to try. These recipes give you easy step by step instructions to make diabetes dinner planning a breeze! Check out our companion articles on stocking the diabetes pantry and ways to make comfort food diabetes friendly!

10 Best Diabetes Dinner Ideas (1)

What can a type 2 diabetic eat for dinner?

Everyone loves pizza but who needs the carbs?? Here's a delicious recipe using tortillas crisped up in a heated skillet. Substitute a low carb tortilla for a tasty snack or meal. Keep the toppings low carb with meats, veggies and cheese. This is a meal the whole family will love.

Cheesy Crispy Diabetic Pizza

A lower carb crispy, cheesy pizza you can enjoy in under 15 minutes! This diabetic pizza with all your favorite toppings will become a family favorite.

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Beef and veggie chili is the perfect cool weather meal! Add a side salad to get even more low carb veggies in. This chili features beans which are high fiber and helps keep you full from one meal to the next.

Beef and Veggie Chili-Diabetes Friendly

A delicious chili made diabetes friendly by adding fiber- rich beans and cinnamon.

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An Italian inspired meal is sure to satisfy, and this one will definitely hit the spot. Here we use spiraled low carb veggies to substitute for pasta. If you like, you can combine spiralized veggies with pasta to cut carbs but still keep the authentic flavor.

Chicken Ricotta

An Italian feast featuring chicken tenders, ricotta cheese and roasted tomatoes. Serve over spiralized veggies for a satisfying low carb meal ready in 30 minutes!

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This chicken recipe will become a favorite. Greek yogurt and spices make a tasty low carb meal perfect for week night or entertaining.

Greek Yogurt Chicken Recipe

A delicious way to include healthful spices in your diet. Chicken marinated in Greek yogurt, cinnamon and curry powder then roasted in a skillet. Low carb diet friendly!

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Low carb baked Greek chicken is absolutely packed with flavor. You will love the Greek herbs combine with spinach and feta.

Low Carb Mediterranean Chicken

Low carb Greek seasoned chicken thighs make a delicious and healthy one pot meal. Served on a bed of mushrooms, spinach, sun dried tomatoes and feta cheese.

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Low carb chicken alfredo takes a universal favorite and turns into a tasty low carb version. Try this over spiralized veggies or a lower carb pasta to keep carb levels in check.

Low Carb Chicken Alfredo

A low carb keto chicken Alfredo recipe perfect for weeknight meals. Uses leftover chicken and store bought Alfredo sauce for a quick and easy meal the whole family will love.

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Low carb unstuffed cabbage rolls are a fun twist on the original. This recipe saves time by throwing everything in a skillet to cook and the result is delish!

Easy Low Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Cabbage rolls the easy way! Easy unstuffed cabbage rolls make a delicious and filling low carb meal-ready in less than 30 minutes. Serve with rice for a family friendly meal.

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Low Carb Italian Beef and Cheese Bowl

Italian beef recipe with pepperoncinis has 3 gm carb and ready in under 30 minutes! This low carb beef and cheese bowl makes a great low carb lettuce wrap in under 30 minutes.

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Pork chops with easy Mexican rice uses brown rice to offer a higher fiber alternative to the usual Mexican rice recipe. Be sure to monitor portion sizes to make sure carb servings stay in the proper range.

Pork Chops and Spanish Rice

Tender pork chops with Spanish rice -made for busy nights! Use your favorite salsa in this one pan pork chop and rice recipe- sure to become a family favorite.

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Low Carb Burgers

Juicy and delicious beef patties topped with queso and caramelized onions take the prize! Make this diabetes friendly burger with a special comeback sauce in about 30 minutes.

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Looking for more meal planning tips?

Check out these favorites!

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These 10 Low Carb Foods Will Make A Week of Meals

10 Best Diabetes Dinner Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is the best dinner for a diabetic? ›

6 Diabetes-Friendly Dinner Recipes to Make at Home
  • Chili glazed salmon.
  • Shrimp and chorizo jambalaya.
  • Lemon-rosemary chicken.
  • Tofu steaks and broccoli rabe.
  • Stuffed eggplant.
  • Pork chop and "risotto"
Apr 18, 2024

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 10 foods should diabetics eat? ›

According to the Diabetes Plate , non-starchy vegetables should make up half of your meal.
  • Dark green leafy vegetables.
  • Avocado.
  • Beans, Dried Peas, & Legumes.
  • Fish High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
  • Nuts.
  • Berries.
  • Citrus Fruit.
  • Whole Grains.

What should a diabetic eat at each meal? ›

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.

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 foods should diabetics eat before bed? ›

Other options include:
  • A sugar-free frozen pop.
  • One light cheese stick.
  • One tablespoon of peanut butter (15 grams) and celery.
  • A hard-boiled egg.
  • Five baby carrots.
  • Light popcorn, 3/4 cup (approximately 6 grams)
  • Salad greens with cucumber and a drizzle of oil and vinegar.

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 foods can diabetics eat unlimited? ›

In general, some foods are good for people with diabetes. These include a variety of non-starchy vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, dairy, and lean protein. But you should limit your intake of certain foods, such as heavily processed foods, sweetened beverages, and refined grains.

What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

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 is the one food that lowers blood sugar? ›

1. Legumes. Studies have shown that protein-rich legumes can help reduce your blood sugar response to meals you eat later in the day. There's also evidence that following a low-GI diet rich in legumes may reduce blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes and improve blood sugar control.

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 are the three worst drinks for blood sugar? ›

The 3 worst drinks
  • regular soda.
  • energy drinks that contain sugar.
  • fruit juices.

What is the best dinner time for diabetic? ›

At least two hours before going to bed, try to avoid eating anything. Maintain a window of 10–12 hours between two substantial meals- If you work night shifts and are unable to keep your optimal dinner time between 7–9 PM, try keeping a window of 10–12 hours between your dinner and breakfast.

Should diabetics eat first thing in the morning? ›

Breakfast is important for people with diabetes. It enables a person to feel full and can help keep blood glucose levels stable. Insulin sensitivity is often higher in the morning than in the evening, so an eating schedule that includes breakfast and minimizes late-night eating is preferable.

What should I eat if my sugar is high? ›

5 Superfoods to Lower Your Blood Sugar
  • 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 the most important meal of the day for a diabetic? ›

The importance of eating breakfast for people with diabetes. Eating a healthy breakfast is important for everyone, especially for people who have diabetes. A morning meal can help keep blood sugar steady throughout the day.

Can diabetics eat spaghetti? ›

You can still enjoy pasta if you have diabetes. But because it is high in carbohydrates, you'll need to adjust your portion size and/or choose healthier varieties, such as whole wheat or fortified pasta. Pasta substitutes like ancient grains or spiraled vegetables are also great options.

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.

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