29 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes from Grandma’s Kitchen
29 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes from Grandma’s Kitchen
Read Time: 14 mins
29 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes from Grandma’s Kitchen
sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein
sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat. 3/29 Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes 96 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 354 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g
sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein
sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein. 4/29 Sunday Pot Roast 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sunday Pot Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 10 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With the help of a slow cooker, you can prepare a down-home dinner any day of the week, not just on Sundays. The roast turns out tender and savory every time. —Brandy Schaefer, Glen Carbon, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 217 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:
3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch
3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch. 5/29 Macaroni Salad Recipe 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It’s perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or a festive weekend barbecue. —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 115 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 362mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch. 6/29 Spaghetti Pie 27 Reviews Test
This recipe was given to me several years ago
Kitchen Approved Spaghetti Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A classic Italian combination is remade into a creamy, family-pleasing spaghetti pie. This recipe was given to me several years ago. My family never grows tired of it. — Ellen Thompson, Springfield, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 348 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 7/29 Meatballs 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Oven-Baked Meatballs
Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 48 meatballs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Keep a batch of these meatballs in your freezer for an easy weeknight meal. This simple meatball recipe can be used for pizzas, sub sandwiches, in soups and more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3 meatballs: 276 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 533mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. 8/29 Tomatoes with Buttermilk Vinaigrette 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tomatoes with Buttermilk Vinaigrette Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat
Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We make the most of tomatoes when they are in season and plentiful, and I love an old-fashioned homemade dressing with summery taste. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 79 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 9/29 Lemon Chicken Pasta 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother made
chicken wings and served them over rice
chicken wings and served them over rice. To speed things up, I cook lemony chicken breasts and serve them over capellini pasta. —Aileen Rivera, Bronx, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 403 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 577mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat. 10/29 Grandma Edna’s Cajun Pork 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 35 min Servings 12 servings (2-1/4 cups gravy) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandma used to make this for our family
on special occasions
on special occasions. We love to carry on the delicious tradition. —Tonya Cline, Greenville, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked pork with 3 tablespoons sauce: 225 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 167mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 11/29 English Pub Split Pea Soup 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This family favorite is the same recipe my grandmother used. Now with the magic of the slow
Finish it with more milk if you like your soup a bit thinner
cooker, I can spend 15 minutes putting it together, walk away for five hours, and come back to “soup’s on.” Finish it with more milk if you like your soup a bit thinner. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 141 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat. 12/29 Soft Honey Cookies 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Soft Honey Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 16 cookies Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat
old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 77 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 13/29 Colcannon 59 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Colcannon Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Every Irish family has
its own colcannon recipe, since it’s a classic potato and cabbage dish
its own colcannon recipe, since it’s a classic potato and cabbage dish. My recipe comes from my father’s family in Ireland. It’s part of my St. Patrick’s Day menu, along with lamb chops, carrots and soda bread. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 168 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 361mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat. 14/29 Lamb Stew 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Traditional Lamb Stew Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 6 servings Go
The flavor improves if you make the stew the day before you serve it
to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a delicious, nourishing and economical dish. The flavor improves if you make the stew the day before you serve it. —Margery Richmond, Fort Collins, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 360 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 721mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 15/29 Rhubarb Compote with Yogurt & Almonds 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My Grandma Dot used to make
rhubarb compote and always had some in the freezer when I came to visit
rhubarb compote and always had some in the freezer when I came to visit. This breakfast is a tribute to her. No two stalks of rhubarb are exactly alike, so make sure to taste the compote before you chill it. It should be tart, but sometimes it needs a little extra sugar. —Michael Hoffman, Brooklyn, New York Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup yogurt with about 2 tablespoons compote and 2 tablespoons almonds: 218 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 reduced-fat milk, 1 fat. 16/29
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2
Apple Slaw 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Farmhouse Apple Coleslaw Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A friend from church gave me this apple coleslaw recipe that her grandmother handed down to her. The flavors complement each other well, while the fruit creates a refreshing change of pace from the usual coleslaw. —Jan Myers, Atlantic, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 87 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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