42 Diabetic-Friendly Lunch Ideas

Read Time: 24 mins

42 Diabetic-Friendly Lunch Ideas2/42 Curried Chicken Skillet 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Curried Chicken Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken lunch is amped up with curry, which is the perfect blend of spices for an anti-inflammatory boost. Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 367 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Nutrition Facts 2 cups: 367 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 450mg

sodium, 39g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein

sodium, 39g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Learn more about the best foods for people with diabetes. 3/42 Taco Pizza 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 2 pizzas (8 pieces each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Convenient prebaked crust makes this tasty taco pizza as easy as can be. It’s a great recipe, especially if you have teenagers. I keep the ingredients on hand so that we can whip up this filling meal anytime. —Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland Nutrition Facts:

Chicken with Peach-Avocado

2 pieces: 310 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 747mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. 4/42 Chicken with Peach-Avocado Salsa 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Chicken with Peach-Avocado Salsa Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Try this lean protein lunch with a natural sweetness and healthy fat. Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1/2 cup salsa: 265 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean

meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch

meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. Nutrition Facts 1 chicken breast half with 1/2 cup salsa: 265 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 5/42 Pressure-Cooker Italian Shrimp ‘n’ Pasta 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pressure-Cooker Italian Shrimp ‘n’ Pasta Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Try this simple lunch to get a good amount of fiber and protein. Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 418 calories, 12g fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat

(2g saturated fat), 165mg cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat. Nutrition Facts 1-1/2 cups: 418 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 165mg cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 6/42 Tuna Teriyaki Kabobs 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 8 kabobs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ve got to love healthy omega-3 fats in this simple and tasty tuna lunch. Nutrition Facts: 1 tuna kabob and 1

Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat

vegetable kabob: 389 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 444mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 45g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat. Nutrition Facts 2 kabobs: 389 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 444mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 45g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat. 7/42 Chicken & Spanish Cauliflower “Rice” 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This low-carb lunch maxes out out on good-for-you ingredients with riced

cauliflower

cauliflower. Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 227 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 492mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat. Nutrition Facts 1-1/2 cups: 227 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 492mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 8/42 Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Simple salads make a great lunch with protein and veggies balanced

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

in a bowl. Nutrition Facts: 3 cups: 239 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 276mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Nutrition Facts 3 cups: 239 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 276mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Also, explore this list of some more delicious diabetic salad recipes. 9/42 Fish Tacos with Berry Salsa 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fish Tacos with Berry Salsa Recipe photo

Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 starch

by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Bursting with healthy fats and antioxidant goodness, these tacos will energize your afternoon. Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 329 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 599mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 38g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 starch. Nutrition Facts 2 tacos: 329 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 599mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 38g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 starch. 10/42 Chicken with Fire-Roasted Tomatoes 2 Reviews Total Time

Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat

30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Try this lean protein lunch for some umami-rich, vitamin C goodness. Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1 cup bean mixture: 294 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 37g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. Nutrition Facts 1 chicken breast half with 1 cup bean mixture: 294 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 37g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable

fat. 11/42 Grilled Pork Noodle Salad Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pork tenderloin is a lean protein that goes well with noodles and vegetables in this lazy day lunch. Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 315 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 708mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable. Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 315 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 708mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean

meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable

meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable. 12/42 Naked Fish Tacos 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Naked Fish Tacos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There’s nothing easier than these low-carb tacos made with omega-3 rich fish and vegetables, sans the taco shell. Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 293 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 663mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 3 fat, 1 vegetable. Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 293 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol,

663mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein

663mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 3 fat, 1 vegetable. 13/42 Sesame Chicken 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Sesame Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We live in a town sadly devoid of good Chinese food. I guess I should be grateful because that has made me mega motivated to find great Chinese recipes. My husband declared this one better then takeout and I have to agree! Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 499 calories, 21g fat (3g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 fat

saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 978mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein. 14/42 Easy Mediterranean Chicken 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Toss greens with lean protein in this lunchtime dish for the perfect balance to stabilize blood sugar throughout the day. Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 417 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 386mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 fat. Nutrition Facts 1 breast half with 2-1/2 cups salad:

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat

282 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 717mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat. 15/42 Sesame Turkey Stir-Fry 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Toss veggies into a wok with turkey breast and you’ve got a simple and nourishing lunch. Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup stir-fry with 1/2 cup rice: 269 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 349mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat,

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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