Diabetic Cookbooks

Lasagna, apple pie, fajitas, baked chicken and more, being a diabetic does not mean that cooking and eating has to be a bore. Rather, you simply need to learn newer, healthier ways to prepare the foods you love. One of the easiest ways to do this is by trying out some diabetic cookbooks or by surfing the web for recipes for diabetics.

As you begin your search for the perfect cookbook for diabetics, consider what tastes, textures, flavors, and even what colors you like to eat. By narrowing down these particular preferences, you will be able to eliminate more quickly those diabetic cookbooks that hold little material that peaks your appetite. Are you interested in vegetarian cooking? No problem, there are a wide variety of vegetarian cookbooks. Want something special for the holidays? Don’t stress-- there are some great cookbooks for diabetics like the American Diabetes Holliday Cookbook by Betty Wedman. Are you new to the world of diabetic cooking and need to know how to prepare foods in a healthy manner? Then use the recommendations and recipes in Carolyn Leontos’ What to Eat when You Get Diabetes cookbook as a guide.          

In deciding what you are looking for diabetic cookbook—take a hard look at what your (and your family’s), meal preferences include. Do you enjoy foods that are salty? What about sour foods like lemons, assorted vinegars, cherries, capers, or beets? Maybe your taste preferences lean toward the bitter foods like fennel, cauliflower, kiwi, or cucumbers? Of course, don’t forget the sweet stuff! You can still enjoy foods like frozen yogurt, fresh fruit and baked goods, just be sure to limit your intake. Do you like ethnic food, then find a international meals diabetic cookbook and before you know it you will be preparing Thai pad, shrimp Creole, or chicken parmesan like the professionals.

As you begin your search for some cookbooks for diabetics, don’t overlook some inexpensive resources. Your local library probably has several dozen cookbooks for diabetics that you can borrow. If you find one you like, see if it is available at one of the online bookstores (often times they are cheaper, even with shipping and handling), another diabetic cookbook resource is to talk to members of your diabetes support group who may be willing to share their favorites. Should your area not have a diabetic’s support group, talk to your physician or dietician and see what cookbooks for diabetics they recommend.

To help you get started, here are a few suggestions for diabetic cookbooks:

The Complete Quick & Hearty Diabetic Cookbook by the American Diabetes Association

501 Delicious Diabetic Recipes for and your Family; Oxmoor House 2000

How Sweet it is…Without the Sugar; Jane C. Wade; Celestial Arts, 1999

Permanent Remissions by Robert Haas, M.S.; Pocket Books, 1997

Charting a Course to Wellness; Treena & Graham Kerr; Small Steps Press,  2004

More Flavor, Less Fat; IDC Publishing

Diabetic Low-Fat & Not Fat Meals in Minutes; M.J. Smith, R.D.

Flavorful Seasons Cookbook; Robyn Webb

It’s Good for You; Pampered Chef

Diabetic Seniors Team

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