Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes

Find healthy, delicious recipes for diabetes including main dishes, drinks, snacks and desserts from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell. Recipes with our Diabetes-Appropriate tag are low in calories and are consistent with recommendations for average carbohydrate intake (about 3-4 carbohydrate servings per meal). They also meet our heart-healthy criteria for saturated fat and sodium. See our Diabetes Nutrition Parameters.

Most Popular

Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats

Rating: 4 stars 16
It takes just minutes to assemble this healthy no-cook breakfast, and you'll have meal-prepped grab-and-go breakfasts on hand for the rest of the week. Top these delicious vegan oats—inspired by classic cinnamon bun flavors—with fresh or frozen fruit and your favorite nuts and seeds.
By Carolyn Casner

Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

Rating: 4 stars 60
This one-pan chicken pasta combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal that's garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it "Mom's Skillet Pasta" and she called it "Devon's Favorite Pasta." Either way it's a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It's a simple dinner the whole family will love.
By Devon O'Brien

One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli

Rating: 5 stars 12
Shrimp cooks quickly in this easy, one-pot recipe, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve over whole grains or rice.
By Carolyn Casner

Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage

Rating: 5 stars 1
Cabbage gets transformed in the oven with garlic, Parmesan and olive oil in this simple vegetable side. This irresistible side dish would make a welcome addition to any meal—try serving it alongside chicken or steak.
Portrait of Wendy Lopez
By Wendy Lopez

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

Rating: 4.5 stars 19
This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
Katie Webster
By Katie Webster

Breakfast Lemon-Blueberry Oatmeal Cakes

Rating: 5 stars 5
A cross between muffins and baked oatmeal, these oatmeal cakes are perfect for an on-the-go breakfast or snack. If you prefer to use fresh blueberries, they're an equal swap for the frozen in this recipe. You can also make a double batch and enjoy one during the week and store the other batch in the freezer to savor later.
Sara Haas Headshot
By Sara Haas, RDN

Breakfast Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cakes

Rating: 4 stars 8
Peanut butter is the star ingredient in these oatmeal cakes, providing not only flavor, but a boost of plant-based protein too. Hiding a bit in the center of each muffin is a fun way to ensure that peanut butter makes it into every bite.
Sara Haas Headshot
By Sara Haas, RDN

Chhole (Chickpea Curry)

Rating: 4.5 stars 53
This healthy Indian recipe is an authentic chickpea curry that you can make in minutes. If you want to add a vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan.
Shefaly Ravula, PA-C
By Shefaly Ravula, PA-C

Baked Banana-Nut Oatmeal Cups

Rating: 4.5 stars 34
Muffins meet oatmeal in these moist and tasty grab-and-go oatmeal cups.
By Carolyn Casner

Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew

Rating: 4.5 stars 22
This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium in this healthy recipe for weight loss.
Patsy Jamieson
By Patsy Jamieson

Baked Garlicky Salmon Balls

Rating: 4.5 stars 5
These garlic-forward salmon balls are tender and flavorful. Add them to a salad or grain bowl for a boost of protein. Or, serve them with your favorite starch and vegetables for a healthy dinner.
Portrait of Wendy Lopez
By Wendy Lopez

Salmon Rice Bowl

Rating: 5 stars 4
Inspired by the viral TikTok trend, this tasty bowl makes for a satisfying lunch or dinner. With a handful of healthy ingredients, like instant brown rice, heart-healthy salmon and lots of crunchy veggies, you'll have a filling and flavorful meal in just 25 minutes. Looking to cut down on carbs? Try swapping in riced cauliflower in place of the brown rice.
Mila Clarke
By Mila Clarke
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Inspiration and Ideas

7-Day Budget-Friendly Dinner Plan for Diabetes
You can plan affordable, delicious, nutritious meals when you have diabetes even if you're on a budget. This 7-day dinner plan includes a balance of affordable whole grains, vegetables, lean meats, plant-based proteins and heart-healthy fats.
Chicken Enchilada Skillet Casserole
Rating: 4.5 stars 14

This simplified take on cheesy chicken enchiladas only requires one pan for cooking and eliminates the need to stuff and roll corn tortillas. Charring the veggies in a cast-iron skillet adds depth of flavor. Don't worry if you don't have one, because you can use any oven-safe skillet instead.