One of the everyday struggles that people with diabetes face is being restricted on what they can eat. Typically, people with diabetes are supposed to stay away from things like trans fats, white carbs (bread, rice, and pasta), and foods with high sugar contents. This is especially important in older adults as their bodies become more sensitive to these items. Here are some diabetic-friendly recipes for seniors.
Almond Crusted Chicken
This is a great healthy chicken dish option. There is very little fat, carbs, or sugars. The only seasonings used are thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper with ground almonds on top to add a nice crunch. This recipe incorporates searing the chicken and baking it to add a unique crunchy crust and tender inside. This would pair well with asparagus and light carb.
Mediterranean-Style Grilled Salmon
Salmon is always a great option as it’s both healthy and delicious. This recipe is very basic as the only ingredients it requires are basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, olives, and lemon slices. The ideal way to grill this recipe is by using a high to low heat transfer technique that gives it a crispy outside and juicy inside that melts in your mouth. Good complimentary sides for this could be green beans and light carb.
Bean Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
This recipe is great because it can be eaten as a main dish or used as a side dish. It incorporates the use of low-sodium garbanzo and black beans as the base. Celery and red onion are also thrown in to add more flavor and crunch. Once these ingredients are mixed into a bowl with balsamic vinegar and olive oil on top of a few seasonings, you have a delicious and very healthy meal.
Tomato-Basil Pizza
If you’ve never made your pizza dough, this is your chance. This recipe features a homemade whole-wheat pizza dough and uses very simple ingredients. The only toppings used are tomatoes, basil, black pepper, onion powder, and grated low-fat mozzarella cheese. This pizza will show you that sometimes less is more, as this basic recipe is packed with flavor.
There are so many delicious diabetic-friendly recipe sources on the internet that feature breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and even desserts! To view the full recipes listed in this blog, visit Mayo Clinic’s Diabetes Meal Plan Recipes website. There are many more available websites, such as Allrecipies.com, EatingWell.com, and diabetesfoodhub.org.
Evergreen Senior Living understands that our residents may have dietary restrictions. We work with our residents to make sure that their restrictions are being met and that they are receiving proper nourishment. For more information about our dining options or community, contact us today.
