Living with diabetes usually means a change in one’s eating habit. So, for those who see food as a source of comfort and pleasure, giving up favorite foods can be much like the loss of a friend. This feeling of loss has been known to cause stress and anxiety, and even relate to depression. Fortunately, there is a plethora of diabetes-friendly cookbooks available with healthy appetizers, entrees, main courses, and even desserts. Listed below are some of these cookbooks, along with any special features the diabetes cookbooks may have.
The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook by Jackie Newgent, RD – Learn to use natural products like honey, whole grains and olive oil so that your diet is rich in nutrients and flavor. The recipes here are easy to prepare while meeting all your diabetes health needs. Newgent has also included helpful information on topics like organic versus natural foods, tips for getting the most flavors from foods, cooking and baking, diabetic substitutes and seasonal menus to make diabetic meal planning a breeze.
Charting a Course to Wellness by Treena and Graham Kerr – This book belongs on every cook’s bookshelf! It has recipes for any time of the day, special occasions, and international cooking that can be cooked by anyone. There are pages of charts that help you determine what foods/eating preferences you may wish to try, and tips for making the best health-conscious choices. The book also includes the story of the Kerrs (you may remember the Galloping Gourmet TV series some years ago) and how they came to creating a cookbook that celebrates living with heart disease and diabetes rather than looking at the negatives.
Cooking with the Diabetic Chef by Chris Smith – As a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef and a diabetic, Smith explains how to enjoy food and how to cook diabetes-friendly foods. He includes information on how to read/understand food labels, use herbs and spices and maintain the proper levels. The book is divided into spring, summer, fall and wintertime recipes, and includes full color photos of the recipes, dietary exchanges and flavor ideas to enhance the dishes.
The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle Cookbook by Bonnie House, Diana Fleming, Ph.D., LDN, Linda Brinegar, Linda Kennedy and Ian Blake Newman – For a vegan approach to diabetes management, this book is great. You will find countless recipes for meat-free meals that make it easy to plan an entire month’s worth of healthy eating. There are easy-to-follow instructions, carb-counting information, dietary exchanges and photos to make cooking with diabetes simple.
How Sweet it is…Without the Sugar by Jean C. Wade – From cakes and cookies to pastries, puddings and desserts of every kind, Wade has put together a cookbook designed with the diabetic in mind. You will find helpful information on flavorings, measurements, cooking basics and even decorating tips, as well as nutrition and dietary exchanges. So whether you are craving a slice of carrot cake, a piece of strawberry pie or you simply want to wow your friends at your next gathering, you can’t go wrong with the recipes included here.
Diabetes cookbooks are vast and varied. You can find gourmet-style recipes to simple everyday fare. But whatever you cook, just be sure to enjoy yourself. Diabetes and eating doesn’t have to be boring. Get a few cookbooks and have fun experimenting—maybe you will become a diabetes cookbook author, too!
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