13 Delicious Diabetes-Friendly Dinner Ideas

One serving (the entire recipe serves eight) from the blog Food Faith Fitness provides 182 calories, 14.7 g of carbs, 5.9 g of protein, 12.4 g of fat, and 3.6 g of fiber.

One serving of this meal (the entire recipe serves four) packs 220 calories, 11 g of carbs, 26 g of protein, 3 g of sugar, 3 g of fiber, 9 g of fat (1.5 g saturated fat), and 380 milligrams (mg) of sodium.

And, “lentils add nutrients such as protein, fiber, iron, and magnesium,” Poulson says.

One serving (the entire recipe serves nine) offers 145 calories, 2 g of fat, 23 g of carbs, 10 g of fiber, 2 g of sugar, and 8 g of protein. Poulson recommends using corn or whole-wheat tortillas or wrapping your filling with a large lettuce leaf.

For a healthier version of a popular Chinese takeout dish, try this General Tso’s chicken recipe found on the Plated Cravings blog. “This homemade version removes the breading and skips the deep frying, both of which make it a healthier option for people with type 2 diabetes,” Poulson says.

Finally, you’ll pour on a sauce made of ketchup, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, a touch of brown sugar, and soy sauce (look for low-sodium versions of sauces and condiments).

“To keep the meal low-carb, serve with a side of sauteed or steamed veggies instead of piling it on a bed of white rice,” Poulson says.

One serving (the entire recipe serves four) packs 207 calories, 10 g of carbs, 12 g of protein, 12 g of fat (2 g of saturated fat), and 7 g of sugar.

One of these salmon fillets from Healthy Fitness Meals provides 294 calories, 9 g of carbs, 29 g of protein, 17 g of fat (2 g saturated fat), 2 g of fiber, and 2 g of sugar. Pair the fish with a side salad or serving of roasted nonstarchy veggies, such as asparagus, to balance it out.

“Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorites, including pizza,” Poulson says. Case in point: this recipe from Simply Quinoa. It starts with a crust made of quinoa and hummus, which provide fiber, healthy fats, and protein, Poulson notes. Use more hummus to make the sauce and then add healthy toppings. “This recipe does what I often suggest to people with diabetes who still want to enjoy pizza, and that’s to top it with veggies,” Poulson says. Use nonstarchy veggies like zucchini and tomatoes, as these add flavor, fiber, vitamins, and minerals without tons of carbs, she adds.

One serving (the entire recipe serves 12) packs 150 calories, 13 g of carbs, 4 g of protein, 10 g of fat (1 g of saturated fat), 3 g of fiber, and 1 g of sugar. Optional: Garnish with shredded vegan cheese, chopped basil, and red pepper flakes.

One serving of this recipe (the entire recipe serves eight) provides 228 calories, 8 g of fat (1 g of saturated fat), 35 g of carbs, 10 g of sugar, 5 g of protein, 7 g of fiber. Add grilled chicken or fish if you’d like more protein.

These grilled salmon kabobs from Erhardt’s Eat are healthy and packed with flavor. They take chunks of omega-3-packed salmon and nonstarchy veggies like zucchini, grape tomatoes, and red onion, and then marinate everything in dried spices, olive oil, and lemons. Add the lean protein and veggies to skewers, and cook on the grill for a quick, healthy meal for diabetes.

One serving (the entire recipe serves four) offers 316 calories, 20.7 g of fat (2.8 g saturated fat), 4.3 g of carbs, 30.4 g of protein, 1.2 g of fiber, and 2.2 g of sugar. Optional: Top the kabobs with tzatziki sauce.

This recipe also cuts back on saturated fat by using extra-lean ground beef and only a ½ cup of cheese, Poulson says.

One serving of this recipe (the entire recipes serves four) offers 244 calories, 12.3 g of carbs, 30.4 g of protein, 7.9 g of fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 6.3 g of sugar, and 3.6 g of fiber.

Add a lean protein like skinless chicken or turkey, or a plant-based option such as tofu.

One serving (the entire recipe serves six) contains 225 calories, 19 g of carbs, 4 g of protein, 15 g of fat (2 g saturated fat), 4 g of fiber, and 3 g of sugar.

For a vegetarian meal, try these roasted cauliflower tacos from A Mind “Full” Mom. The taco filling is made up of nonstarchy cauliflower roasted in taco seasoning and heart-healthy olive oil. It’s then drizzled with homemade avocado lime sauce, which adds in a bit of plant-based protein and healthy fats for satiety, Poulson says. Serve in tortillas (Poulson recommends whole wheat or soft corn for some whole grains), or use a lettuce wrap to lower the carb count. Top with pickled red onions, chopped cilantro, and a dash of queso fresco or feta cheese (optional).

To add additional protein, keep it simple. “You could easily add in a small side of black or pinto beans to increase the protein while keeping it plant-based,” Poulson says.

A serving of this recipe (the entire recipe serves four) provides 147 calories, 11 g of fat (1 g saturated fat), 11 g of carbs, 6 g of fiber, 3 g of sugar, and 3 g of protein.

This hearty chicken noodle soup combines skinless chicken breasts, low-sodium chicken broth, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and a variety of herbs. Plus, it uses zucchini in place of pasta noodles. “Because there are no noodles, it’s low-carb, making it a great option for someone who is watching their carbohydrate intake,” Poulson says.

Plus, “this chicken vegetable soup is jam-packed with color and nutrients, and brings plenty of flavor as well,” Poulson notes.

One serving of this recipe (the entire recipe serves six) from A Sweet Pea Chef offers 226 calories, 5 g of fat (1 g saturated fat), 14 g of carbs, 3 g of fiber, 32 g of protein, and 5 g of sugar.

This low-carb vegetarian dish from Healthy Seasonal Recipes is easy to whip up. Plus, there’s no cooking required.

You can make your own zucchini noodles, or zoodles, with a spiralizer, mandoline, or vegetable peeler. Or, buy them premade. Either way, you’ll end up with a low-carb pasta dish that’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Mix the zoodles with a bit of homemade pesto — like this kale pesto recipe from Healthy Seasonal Recipes — and top with nonstarchy tomatoes and a bit of fresh Parmesan. “[This recipe] goes above and beyond filling half your plate with nonstarchy veggies by filling the entire plate with them!” Poulson says.

“If you want to make this more of a hearty meal for dinner, you could easily add in some grilled [skinless] chicken breast or ground turkey meatballs,” Poulson says.

One serving (the entire recipe serves two) provides 242 calories, 19 g of fat (4 g saturated fat), 10 g of carbs, 3 g of fiber, 7 g of protein, and 6 g of sugar.