Every person with diabetes knows how difficult it is to resist temptation during the holidays.
Although there’s no fun in trying to steer clear of the long list of foods that spike insulin during the holiday festivities, it’s not all bad news.
There are many delicious diabetic holiday recipes that you can prepare and enjoy during this happy time.
Diabetic Holiday Recipes
You know how to eat sensibly when you’re dining out but what about when it’s your turn to cook? Here are the answers.
All these recipes take the basic rules for living well with diabetes into consideration and look and taste great too.
1. Turkey Breast in the Slow Cooker
Turkey breast is the best and healthiest part of the bird, so why waste time with the rest? Here’s how to have your share of the turkey during the holidays.
Remove the skin from a 6 or 7 lb. bone-in turkey breast and brush it with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Combine 1 teaspoon each of the following and rub it all over the meat:
- Dried minced garlic
- Seasoned salt
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Pepper
Place your turkey breast in a slow cooker and add ½ cup of water and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours until tender and juicy.
2. Pork Roast
If you would rather gobble up something that isn’t turkey these holidays, read on.
Cut a 3 to 4 lb. pork loin roast in half and brown on all sides in a skillet. Place the meat in a 5 lb. slow cooker.
Bring the following ingredients to the boil in a large saucepan:
- 2 cans of unsweetened crushed pineapple, with the juice
- 2 Tablespoons apple juice, unsweetened
- 1 cup of barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 Teaspoon crushed dried rosemary or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely crushed
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Simmer for three minutes, uncovered then pour over the pork roast and cook for 6 to 7 hours. Let the meat stand for about 10 minutes before carving.
3. Sweet Potato Mash
If you must have potatoes with your holiday meal, sweet potatoes are the best option for diabetics. Here’s a great way to prepare them.
Bring about 6 medium sweet potatoes to the boil with water in an uncovered stockpot and simmer for 15 minutes until tender.
Drain and mash, adding 2 tablespoons brown sugar, a little maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and 3 tablespoons unsweetened orange juice as you go along.
4. Get Your Greens
Add goodness and color to your plate with this easy broccoli dish.
Fry 6 rashers of bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels and chop into small pieces.
Add 2 tablespoons or olive oil to 1 tablespoon of the pan drippings and fry 8 thinly sliced garlic cloves with ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes until fragrant.
Add the broccoli and cook until tender. To serve, mix in the bacon and ¼ cup of shredded parmesan cheese.
5. Strawberry Cheesecake
A great meal has to end with something sweet. This is one of those diabetic Christmas desserts that tastes even better than the original unhealthy version.
Here’s how it’s done:
Preheat your oven to 350° F and grease a 9-in springform tin with cooking spray.
Smash about 9 chocolate graham crackers into fine crumbs and mix with ¼ cup of melted butter.
Press the cracker base into the bottom of the springform tin and about an inch up the sides. Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool.
Sprinkle 2 sachets of unflavored gelatin over a 1/2 cup of cold water, allow it to stand for 1 minute, then heat gently until all the gelatin dissolves.
Hull 16 ounces of fresh or frozen strawberries and then puree them in a food processor. Set aside.
Place 16 ounces of fat-free cream cheese, 1 cup of fat-free cottage cheese and sugar substitute equivalent to ¾ cup of sugar to the food processor.
Whizz until smooth, gradually adding the gelatin mixture. Pop in the strawberries and process until they’re incorporated.
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in ½ carton of reduced-fat whipping topping.
Pour the mixture into the crust, cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours until set.
Decorate your cheesecake with the remaining whipping topping, quartered strawberries and ½ cup of chocolate ice cream topping.
6. Chocolate Amaretti
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without something delish to snack on around the fireside. Try these Italian-inspired bites with hot chocolate, coffee, or eggnog.
Heat the oven to 350° F, whip 1 ¼ cups almond past together with 2 large egg whites and ¾ cup of sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine ½ cup confectioner’s sugar with ¼ cup baking cocoa.
Gradually add the dry mix to the almond mixture and blend together well.
Drop tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet about 2 in. apart and bake for 17-20 minutes until the tops start to crack.
Allow the biscuits to cool for 1 minute before placing on wire racks. Store the amaretti in an airtight container between servings.
7. Egg Casserole Brunch
Let’s not forget the morning-after-feast.
Here’s one that’s guaranteed to please any house guests while ensuring you stay on the straight and narrow, diet-wise.
Coat a 13×9-in. baking dish with cooking spray.
Chop up six strips of bacon and fry them in a teaspoon of canola oil, then set aside to drain on a paper towel. Discard the drippings.
Dice a small green pepper and small onion and fry them until tender over medium-high heat in the same pan. Set aside.
Whisk 4 large eggs with 16 ounces of egg substitute in a bowl with 1 cup of fat-free milk and season with salt, pepper and 1/4 teaspoon dill weed.
Add 4 cups of shredded hash brown potatoes, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and the fried bacon, onion and pepper.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean – approximately 30 minutes.
8. How About Some Hashbrowns
It’s hard for anyone to resist these greasy carb-laden breakfast treats? Well, now you don’t have to with this easy diabetic-friendly version.
For starters, 350° F and coat a 3-qt. baking dish with non-stick spray. Next, mix the following together:
- 30 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes defrosted
- 1 can of undiluted cream of chicken soup (the reduced-fat reduced-sodium version)
- 1 cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1/2 t salt
- 1/2 t pepper
Then toss a 1/2 cup of crushed cornflakes with melted butter.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish, sprinkle the cornflakes on top, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until golden.
The Season of Giving
So there you have it, our top selection of diabetic holiday recipes guaranteed to see you through the festivities without missing out.
This season isn’t all about fine dining and fun though, it’s a time to consider others too.
Do you have any unexpired diabetic test strips lying around that you’re probably never going to use? We want them.
Get in touch to discuss selling your unused test strips to us today and help other diabetics in need.