This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.
Diabetes-friendly recipes should be just as interesting and tasty as any other type of recipe! There is no reason why we should eat bland and boring food just because we live with diabetes!
All of the recipes are relatively low-carb (less than 20 grams of carbs per serving), come with detailed step-by-step instructions, and most of them take less than 30 minutes to make. And they all taste AMAZING!
What can a person with diabetes eat for dinner?
I don’t think there is a single right answer to that question, but I have a few guidelines I like to follow:
- Less than 20 grams of carbs per serving
- Mostly carbs with a low glycemic index
- At least 20 grams of protein per serving
- Low on sodium (especially for people with high blood pressure)
- Include some healthy fat
This should give you a healthy and balanced dinner that won’t spike your blood sugar.
You can,of course, make changes to these guidelines if you follow a specific diet (ketogenic diet, plant-based diet, etc.) but this is a good place to start.
Do you have to eat low-carb?
Many people living with diabetes choose to eat low-carb but it’s not the only option. According to the Nutrition Consensus Report from American Diabetes Association, a “one-size-fits-all” eating plan is not evident for the prevention or management of diabetes. Many different food choices and eating patterns can help people achieve their desired health goals and quality of life.
You should eat in a way that works for your body, blood sugar management, and mental health. If you don’t want to follow a low-carb diet, a great place to start is to simply try and eat foods that are:
- Minimally processed
- Lighter on the starchy vegetables (like corn, beets, and green peas)
- Low in added sugar and refined grains
The recipes below all meet these guidelines and will work in almost any type of diet. Pick the ones you like and enjoy a tasty and healthy diabetes-friendly dinner.
15 Diabetes-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Stuffed Chicken Breast
This is one of those dishes I could eat every single day! It’s super tender, tastes fantastic, and is a healthy meal all by itself.
The chicken is stuffed with mozzarella, basil leaves, sundried tomatoes, and spiced with curry and paprika. The best part - it only takes 25 minutes to make!
262 calories - 9 g carbs - 46 g protein - 4 g fat
Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna
This low-carb zucchini lasagna is a healthy and tasty alternative to normal lasagna. It's just as easy to make and you don’t need pasta or a heavy sauce, which makes it the perfect healthy dinner.
244 calories - 13 g carbs - 30 g protein - 8 g fat
Spinach Rolls
This is a great vegetarian recipe (if you are ok with eggs and cheese). The spinach rollsare savory, filling, and just a little bit spicy!
This dish keeps really well in the fridge which makes it perfect for meal prepping.
310 calories - 19 g carbs - 27 g protein - 10 g fat
Coconut Chicken Soup
The rich coconut aroma of this easy coconut chicken soup will warm your belly and soul! Loaded with many different vegetables and lean chicken breast, it will keep you full and satisfied for a long time.
231 calories - 12 g carbs - 17 g protein - 13 g fat
Marinated Turkey Breast
This marinated turkey breast combines maximum flavor with minimum work in the kitchen.
You only need to let the turkey tenders marinate for about 30 minutes for the balsamic vinegar and herbs to flavor and soften the meat. Then 5-8 minutes on the frying pan and the dish is ready.
348 calories - 5 g carbs - 41 g protein - 14 g fat
Easy Beef Fajitas
I love colorful dinners made in no time and these healthy and easy beef fajitas are perfect for that. You can have them ready in less than 20 minutes from the time you decide to start cooking!
336 calories - 11 g carbs - 31 g protein - 17 g fat
Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast
This is a recipe that looks complicated but is really very easy. By wrapping the chicken breast in cream cheese and prosciutto, you get an incredibly flavorful and juicy chicken.
I add basil and pepper for flavor but you can use any dried herbs you like.
294 calories - 2 g carbs - 39 g protein - 12 g fat
Baked Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce
These pork chops are drowned in a rich tomato, onion, and cheese sauce and they are absolutely divine. They are also ready to eat in only 30 minutes.
405 calories - 16 g carbs - 44 g protein - 17 g fat
Instant Pot Chicken Chili
If you have an Instant Pot, this is a recipe you need to try! It's a delicious green chili (chile verde) made with only a few ingredients and in less than 30 minutes.
It's made without beans or tomatoes for a tasty, flavorful chili that's lower in carbs!
253 calories - 9 g carbs - 30 g protein - 12 g fat
Turkey Meatballs
These turkey meatballs are made without breadcrumbs and they are juicy little protein bombs packed with flavor. They’re super easy to make and ready in just 40 minutes.
183 calories - 12 g carbs - 31 g protein - 3 g fat
Keto Beef Stroganoff
Any dish that includes butter, onion, garlic, mushrooms, beef, cream cheese, and heavy cream is bound to be pretty delicious!
This easy one-pot recipe can be ready in about half an hour.
585 calories – 12.2 g carbs – 29.6 g protein – 46.9 g fat
Lemon Chicken Piccata
Lemon Chicken Piccata is a budget-friendly take on an Italian classic! Incredibly easy, low carb, and diabetes-friendly, this piccata recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again!
269 calories – 3 g carbs – 20 g protein – 16 g fat
Low-Carb Crab Cakes
Ditch the bread crumbs and try these low-carb crab cakes instead! You still get the perfect golden exterior and wonderful crab flavor without all the unwanted carbs or gluten.
388 calories – 7.4 g carbs – 31.1 g protein – 27.1 g fat
Stuffed Peppers Without Rice
Bright, colorful peppers stuffed with a low-carb mince and cauliflower filling topped with melted cheese and herbs. All ready in under an hour!
They can easily be prepared ahead of time and then dinner takes a matter of minutes that evening.
335 calories – 11.2 g carbs – 18.9 g protein – 24.4 g fat
Low Carb Eggplant Parmesan
This easy low carb eggplant parmesan is a lighter, healthier version of the classic Italian dish.
Melted, golden cheese, flavorful marinara, and crispy eggplant rounds give this dish all the heartiness of the classic comfort food.
241 calories – 15 g carbs – 8.8 g protein – 15.7 g fat
When you have tried any of these healthy dinner recipes for diabetics, please let me know in the comment how you liked them.
You are also more than welcome to suggest other great low-carb dinner recipes I should include in the roundup.
More low-carb recipe roundups
We have a lot more healthy recipes here on Diabetes Strong. Here are some of my favorite recipe roundups:
- 10 Healthy Diabetic Chicken Recipes
- 10 Low-Carb Breakfast Ideas for Diabetics
- 10 Healthy Diabetic Lunch Ideas
Enjoy!
