Cooking for a diabetic?

[IMGONNABE40!]

I would like to learn all there is to know about cooking for a diabetic. Where should I look? Any references to websites, books and cookbooks would be appreciated. Also, does anyone know of seminars on such cooking? Thank you.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Some hospitals in your area are sure to provide nutritional classes for diabetics. My father was diabetic and we all ate what he ate. My mother cooked healthy meals for him and took good care of him.

Lori

 

[robsmom]

go to the bookstore there are tons of cookbooks for diabetics.

Also the southbeach diet book has many low carb recipes that work for diabetics. Even the atkins book would be a good source.

you are really looking for balanced low carb, low sugar meals so think healthy and you can make up your own recipes. lots of veggies, fish, chicken, etc. no sauces with honey, sugar, bbq sauce etc.

what the cookbooks are nice for is they can give you some recipes that allow you to make souces/seasonings that are low sugar. you can apply the same concepts techniques to anything.

 

[Talking Hands]

Really cooking for a diabetic is easy. There are many cookbooks available but I do not use them at all. I still use my basic recipes but avoid those high in sugar and starches. For desserts, I've learned to go without or take the real thing and eat only a few bites of it unless I know my blood sugar is running on the low side. I find that I can have a square of Giradelli chocolate and it doesn't affect my blood sugar so that has become a good treat for me.
I never liked many dishes with sauces so that was good. Eat smaller portions of healthy meals. Btw I limit my carbs to 30g/ meal tops and 15g for a snack at night for a total of 105g/day but often don't even reach that. Moderate carbs not low carb.
Be careful of sugar free products are they have their own side effects.

 

[Jockaroo]

Hi, I wanted to join in on this and thank the original poster. My mom was diagnosed with a "pre" diabetic condition in the spring. So I appreciate everyone's comments so I can learn more about her needs.

 

[jrydberg]

Just FYI, there is a significant difference between a type I diabetic (body produces no insulin whatsoever) and a type II diabetic (body does not produce enough insulin).

Type II diabetics can control thing with their diet. Type I diabetics cannot. Therefore cooking for the two is a very different experience.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you for your responses. I would like to be able to cook for people with both Type I and Type II. Can you suggest any resources, jrydberg?

 

[jrydberg]

http://www.diabetes.org/nutrition-and-recipes/nutrition/overview.jsp

That'd be a good place to start... the American Diabetes Association page on Nutrition and Recipes Hope that helps.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by jrydberg
Just FYI, there is a significant difference between a type I diabetic (body produces no insulin whatsoever) and a type II diabetic (body does not produce enough insulin).

Type II diabetics can control thing with their diet. Type I diabetics cannot. Therefore cooking for the two is a very different experience.

I would have to disagree with this comment. The cooking is not different but the amount of carbs needed usually are. Also not all Tyoe II diabetics can control their blood sugar by diet only. Some need medications (pills and/or insulin) And then there are the diabetics that have components of both Type I and Type II that throw everything off. Whether or not you use insulin doesn't determine which you are.