5 Diabetes-Friendly Christmas Recipes That Are Simply Delicious

Christmas time and the delicious sweets and savouries are everywhere to be found. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, know that you don’t have to have only sugarless cookies or low sugar cakes. You can make and eat a variety of dishes that are low in glycemic index and won’t upset your blood sugar levels. If you’re looking for diabetes-friendly or healthy Christmas recipes, here are five diabetes-friendly recipes that are lip-smackingly good! 

Top 5 Diabetes-Friendly Christmas Recipes are:

Recipe 1:  Sweetened hung curd with poached peaches

Why this recipe is perfect for you: 

The hung curd is packed with probiotics and is a good source of proteins. And peaches and pomegranate are low GI fruits that make this a great dessert for those with diabetes. 

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups of plain low-fat yoghurt 
• Half tsp saffron thread
• 2 tbs low-fat warmed milk 
• 2 tbs stevia
• 3 pods of powdered green cardamom 
• 2 Ripe peaches, skinned and sliced into wedges
• Juice of half a lemon 
• 1/3rd cup water 
• 40grams pomegranate seeds 
• Cheesecloth

Method of preparation

• Prepare hung curd using a cheesecloth
• Toast saffron in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat for 2 min
• Transfer saffron threads to warm milk and set aside
• Combine hung curd, stevia, saffron milk, crushed cardamom and mix well
• Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve
• Heat a heavy bottom pan over medium-low heat and add peaches
• Lemon juice and water, cook till tender
• Serve roasted peaches on top of the hung curd and garnish with pomegranate seeds

 Recipe 2: Spiced apple pancakes

Why this recipe is perfect for you: 

Again a dish that has a low glycemic index, these yummy pancakes are diabetes-friendly and healthy. Of course, always remember that any dessert must be eaten in the right portion. 

Ingredients: 

• Half cup whole wheat
• Half cup oats flour
• Half tsp baking powder
• Half tsp Baking soda
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 cup low-fat milk
• 1 Egg
• 1 Grated apple
• 1 cup cinnamon powder
• Half tsp cardamom powder
• Half tsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup of water
• 40g pomegranate seeds
• Cheesecloth

Method of preparation

• In a large bowl, sift together both flours and baking soda
• In a medium bowl mix buttermilk, milk, eggs together and whisk well
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold gently to form a smooth batter with no lumps
• Add apple and spices to the batter and mix well
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Grease the skillet with oil and pour ¼ cup batter into the skillet, cover and cook till done. Serve hot.

Recipe 3: Quinoa mushroom 

Why this dish is good for you 

Several studies have demonstrated that quinoa may help manage diabetes. It is rich in protein and fiber that help you stay full for longer. This helps in regulating calorie intake and managing weight, which are essential in managing diabetes. It is also high in several antioxidants that may help reduce the complications of diabetes such as diabetic eye disease, heart disease, and kidney diseases. 

The glycemic index of quinoa is around 53, which is lower than both white rice (around 74) and brown rice (around 68). Thus, quinoa causes a relatively slower increase in blood sugar than rice and wheat. This is particularly beneficial in individuals with diabetes where spikes in blood sugar may be dangerous.

Mushrooms are fantastic as a low-glycemic, low-carb, nutritious, and delicious addition to any diet.

Ingredients 

• 1 Tsp olive oil
• 1 small shallot peeled and chopped
• 1tsp ginger garlic paste
• ½ cup cremini mushrooms wiped clean thinly sliced
• 1 and a 1/2 cups/ 225gm quinoa, rinsed  and drained
• 1tsp finely chopped mint
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ turmeric powder
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 3 cups low sodium vegetable stock or water
• 2 tbs raisins
• 1 tsp
• Toasted slivered almonds

Method of preparation

• Heat a non-stick heavy bottom pan
• Add oil, add shallots and cook until translucent
• Add ginger garlic paste sauté for a minute, stirring well. Add cremini mushrooms and cook for 3 min
• Add quinoa, mint, bay leaf, turmeric and black pepper and mix well to bring out the fullest flavours.
• Slowly add stock and bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover and cook for 15 minutes
• Garnish with golden raisins and slivered almonds and serve

Recipe 4: Spinach and pear soup

Why this dish is good for you:

Spinach is a water-soluble veggie that has a negligible effect on your blood sugar, making it a good food to choose if you are following a diabetes-friendly diet

Adding pear to this recipe adds to the deliciousness, making it a low GI dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 ripe green pears chopped
• 1 tbs water
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• 4 cups low sodium non-starchy vegetables or chicken stock
• 150g baby spinach
• 2 tbs chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp ground pepper
• ¼ tsp sea salt

Method of preparation

• In a heavy bottom pan over medium heat, add onions, chopped pears and cook for 5 min
• Until they start to caramelize.
• Add 1 tbs water and cook until soft
• Add coriander and cook for 2 min
• Add vegetable stock and bring to simmer until pears are softened
• Add spinach and cilantro and simmer for 1 more minute
• Let it cool and transfer it into a blender and puree until smooth and creamy
• Serve hot and season with garam masala, black pepper and sea salt. 
• Soup can be topped with air-popped popcorn

Recipe 5: Betroot tikki 

Why this recipe is good for you 

Beetroot is rich in antioxidants and nutrients and is especially good for people with diabetes. Beetroot also lowers your risk of common diabetes complications, including nerve and eye damage.

Ingredients 

• 150g Boiled peeled grated beetroot
• ¼ cup finely grated carrot
• ¼ cup cooked mashed potatoes
• ½ tsp chaat masala
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• ¼ tsp amchoor powder
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• 2 tbs finely chopped cilantro
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1tbs cornflour
• 2 tbs sunflower oil

Method of preparation 

• Combine all ingredients except the cornflour and oil in a large bowl and mix well
• Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and flatten into round tikkis
• Add cornflour to a plate, press  tikkis  into the cornflour and coat evenly coated on all sides
• Heat oil in a flat cast iron skillet and shallow fry the tikkis till golden brown.
• Drain on absorbent paper and serve hot. 

It can be quite challenging to make changes to your traditional holiday fare, especially when it comes to a festival like Christmas. But know that with the right guidance you can eat the foods you love, in the right proportions — all it really needs is the right guidance. And that’s what we, at Diabefly can give you. 

Sounds like something you’d learn more about? Give us a call at 022 48971077  Ext 1 or check us out here.