Chopped Mexican Salad with Lime
This colorful, fresh-chopped salad was one of the most popular recipes on all of Diabetes Food Hub in 2018! It's easy to see why. From Southwest culinary expert Kelly Cleary Coffeen, and featured in her new cookbook Tex-Mex Diabetes Cooking, this recipe is versatile, nutritious, and downright beautiful. A citrus marinade drizzled over the vegetables brings them to life.
Buttery Lemon Grilled Fish on Grilled Asparagus
This quick and easy fish recipe may be the perfect weeknight dish—built for the outdoor grill during the summer months, but just as tasty cooked on on indoor pan when the weather is cold. Either way, with just a few ingredients, you can have a beautiful, heart healthy, and diabetes-friendly meal on the table in about 15 minutes.
Balsamic Chicken with Mushrooms
The number one search term on Diabetes Food Hub? "Chicken." Packed with lean protein and often low in carbohydrates, chicken recipes are great for diabetes-friendly meal planning. While many heart-healthy chicken recipes can be a bit bland, this one boosts flavor with a little acid and umami, courtesy of the balsamic vinegar and mushrooms. It's also a budget-friendly option, so it's no wonder it was the most popular recipe on Diabetes Food Hub for five straight months.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
A flavorful and versatile chicken recipe, this recipe works great as a main entrée with vegetables, but also shines as an added protein on a salad. Plus, if you've got picky kid eaters, this is a much healthier option than any frozen chicken nugget.
Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bites
A snack that's high in protein and low-carb? It's no wonder these satisfying high-fiber bites from The Diabetes Cookbook were so popular. You can freeze a couple bites in a snack-size plastic bag for a grab-and-go breakfast too!
Mini Veggie Frittatas
The only search more popular than "chicken" on Diabetes Food Hub in 2018 was "breakfast," and this recipe was at the top of the list. These little low-carb frittatas make a quick and healthy start to your day. And you can make them your own! This recipe is just a suggestion, so feel free to experiment with different veggies such as zucchini, asparagus, or spinach.
Egg and Avocado Toasts
A favorite of life-hacking millennials and heart-healthy boomers alike, avocado toast seemed to be the one thing everyone could agree on in 2018. Our version, topped with an egg for a little something extra, racked up a lot of likes.
Budget-Friendly Cilantro Lime Roasted Chicken
Cilantro can be a divisive ingredient—it seems you either love it or hate it. But paired with lime, it's the secret weapon in this budget-friendly favorite with a fresh and zesty flavor. Diabetes Food Hub users couldn't get enough.
Breakfast Egg and Ham Burrito
Visitors to Diabetes Food Hub were apparently pretty tired of the same boring breakfast, because this satisfying and tasty burrito was a hit. Like the frittatas above, this one is great for experimenting with different veggies and fillers.
Powerhouse Kale Salad
A vegetarian, low-carb salad might not sound like a filling meal, but this powerhouse is loaded with protein and leafy greens that that will power you through your day. Main course salads like this are a great way to get more vegetables in your diet, and this salad was a visitor favorite last year.
Chicken Nacho Casserole
Turning nachos into a casserole means no one has to fight over the chips with the most toppings! This healthy, diabetes-friendly version has all of the flavor of traditional nachos without all of the extra fat and carbs, which made it a popular choice for those looking to feed a group or liven up a potluck gathering.
Lemon-scented Shrimp (Gamberi Al Limone)
This Mediterranean classic from cookbook author Amy Riolo was one of many shrimp recipes that made this list. While some may be intimidated by fresh shrimp as an ingredient, Amy suggests we might be making it harder than necessary. "If you’ve never prepared shrimp before, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is. In my seafood cooking classes, I often tell students that, if they’ve had bad luck making shrimp in the past, it’s because they’re doing too much, not too little. The key to preparing good shrimp is choosing the freshest shrimp possible and cooking them just until done—not a second longer."
Sensational Chicken Burgers
Barbara Seelig-Brown created these burgers for a neighborhood picnic. She wanted to make sure that she was going to bring something healthy as well as tasty, and the result was this delicious patty that were the most popular dish on the site for most of the summer. These really shine when cooked on the grill, which has us counting the days to warmer weather.
Fruit and Almond Smoothie
There were a number of smoothie recipes that generated a lot of interest in 2018, but this almond milk version was a clear favorite. Almond milk is lower in carb than regular milk and is great for people with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance, making this smoothie a wonderful breakfast option for anyone.
Good Morning Power Parfait
Registered Dietitians and nutrition professionals love recommending parfaits for those planning meals for diabetes. These versatile recipes make a great option for breakfasts, snacks, and desserts, and can satisfy your sweet tooth while delivering some serious nutrition. The cinnamon and grape nuts in this recipe set it apart from the ordinary fruit and yogurt parfait, providing a little something extra to make it a Diabetes Food Hub favorite.
Baked Chicken Empanadas
Chicken empanadas are fun to make and a great no-fork-needed appetizer, and users couldn't get enough last year. Baking these tasty treats gives a crispy crust with less fat and the Manzanilla olives add a delicious nutty flavor. This recipe is consistently one of the most popular recipes on Diabetes Food Hub
Barbecued Rosemary Chicken
Did we mention that chicken was a popular choice in 2018? Visitors flocked to this classic recipe that’s been spiced up with some fresh rosemary to make a diabetes-friendly dish bursting with flavor. Pair with our Sauteed Asparagus, Peppers, and Mushroom recipe for a complete meal that's quick, easy, and budget-friendly.
Fresh Corn, Tomato, And Avocado Salad With Shrimp
Author Aviva Goldfarb got this delectable recipe from Shawn Askew, who works at Bella Bethesda hair salon, and it turned out to be a bona fide hit. This recipe really peaks in the spring and summer, when fresh, farmer's market veggies help the shrimp and avocado shine. The perfect answer to the "Six O'Clock Scramble" for the perfect diabetes-friendly meal!
"Sweet" Potato Fries
Regular potato french fries are, to put it mildly, not a great option. Packed with both carbs and saturated fats, they also lack vitamins and minerals. Sweet potatoes are another story entirely. Packed full of good nutrition and chock-full of vitamin A, fiber, and vitamin C. Adults and kids will love these "Sweet" Potato Fries and like thousands of users on Diabetes Food Hub, won't miss "regular" fries one bit.
Apple Crisp
What would dinner be without something sweet at the end? While dessert is a little controversial for diabetes meal planning, the Diabetes Food Hub team thinks it should at least be an option for those who plan and adjust accordingly. And our users agree, as this warm Apple Crisp was a very popular option. Wondering how to fit this in? Use the Interactive Meal Planner to see how small adjustments can keep you on track.
