Quick Diabetic Recipes for a Pampered Chef Show: Tips & Cookbook Suggestions

[love2cook05]

I'm not sure if I am posting this in the right place, but I have a show coming up in two weeks and the host has a mother who is a diabetic. She isn't necessarily wanting me to do a recipe during the show, but I was hoping to find a Pampered Chef recipe for her to prepare ahead of time. My mother-in-law has the "It's Good for You" cookbook, but I am not really familiar with what the diabetic exchanges are or mean. Has anyone made anything out of that cookbook that would work for diabetics or have any quick tips that will apply to diabetics that I can use at the show??

 

[Admin Greg]

Diabetics need to carefully monitor their blood glucose levels and be aware of the amount of carbohydrates they consume. The "It's Good for You" cookbook has a few recipes that are specifically designed for diabetics and include diabetic exchanges. Some of these recipes include Grilled Salmon with Fresh Basil Pesto, Black Bean and Corn Salad, and Creamy Rice Pudding. When preparing recipes for diabetics, it is important to reduce the amount of sugar and simple carbohydrates, such as white breads, rice, and pasta. Instead, focus on complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid fried and processed foods, as they tend to be high in calories, fat, and sugar. It is also important to include lean proteins in the meal. When cooking, use healthy fats and oils, such as olive oil or canola oil. At the show, you may want to suggest some quick and easy snacks to your host's mom that are low in sugar and carbohydrates. Some good suggestions would be a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts or seeds, hard boiled eggs, or a cup of yogurt. You could also suggest a smoothie made with fresh fruit and low-fat milk or yogurt. Finally, it is important to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially when following a diabetic diet. Encourage your host's mom to drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice.

 

[Admin Greg]

I want to make sure that I am sensitive to her needs and also provide helpful and informative tips for her. Thanks so much for your help!!I'm sorry I missed your show. How did it go? I'm a diabetic and I can tell you that most of the recipes in the "It's Good for You" cookbook are okay for diabetics. As far as exchanges go, it's just a way to measure carbohydrates. A serving of carbohydrates is 15 grams. So if a recipe calls for 1/2 cup of rice, it would be 2 exchanges or 30 grams of carbohydrates. You can also find exchange lists online that list the number of exchanges for different types of foods. As far as tips, I would suggest using sugar substitutes in recipes instead of sugar, and using whole grain options when possible. Also, portion control is important for diabetics so make sure to mention that and offer tips on how to measure portions using measuring cups and spoons. Hope this helps!