Diabetic Friendly Thanksgiving

HI there. My mother was diabetic too. We used low carb bread to make our Thanksgiving dressing. I made pumpkin pie using the canned 100% pumpkin recipe on the can, but using Splenda instead of sugar. Have lots of vegtables dishes that don't have heavy creams on them. If she likes sweet potates, try roasting them instead of covering them in marshmallows. I cut mine up, shake them in bag with a tablespoon or two of olive oil, sage, time, salt, pepper, and then one to two teaspoons of brown sugar. (She can have a little sugar) Then roast them until golden brown. They are pretty tasty. Have a wonderful holiday with your family.
L.

2 moms found this helpful

My hubby is diabetic (has been since he was young), so we try to be careful in cooking at home. The most important thing to remember (besides no sugar) is to watch carbs. Carbs basically turn into sugar in your bloodstream, so too many is as bad as eating sweets. I'd watch it on the breads, potatoes, pastas. Offer more veggies (they are low or no-carb, depending on which ones) and protein based foods. Try the Splenda web site for sweet recipes (but make sure they call for only Splenda and not the Splenda with brown sugar--brown sugar is still sugar). Try the American Diabetes Association web site for recipes (https://vgs.diabetes.org/recipe/index.jsp). Hope that helps.

1 mom found this helpful

As a grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren and a diabetic of 27 years, I would love to share some hints. First of all you mom is absolutely able to eat just about anything from the Thanksgiving table within reason, except for the sweet things. In other words the turkey, mashed potatoes , vegetables etc. The portion size is what will be important for her, especially of the carbs(potatoes, starchy veggies etc.) There are alot of sugar free jello/pudding type recipes you can try or that use equal for the sweet goodies at Thanksgiving. There are some great web sites that offer recipes for diabetics, if you have a computer GOOGLE-"Diabetic recipes" . Good luck and Kudos for being such a great and caring daughter!

1 mom found this helpful

My father was diagnosed with type II about ten years ago. Since then, I've listened closely when my mother describes meals she cooks for him.

Technically they can have anything... in moderation. But some things that it's helpful to avoid are nuts, caramelized foods (like onions or again- nuts), and adding extra sugar to things like cranberries. If you are making your own cranberries, get your sweetness from more natural forms of sugar or stevia (or even splenda which has become my mother's salvo for everything.)

You can use fats like butter, again not in too much moderation. If you make things like green bean casserole, it may be worth your while to make your own mushroom soup for it.

Mainly, you want to avoid concentrated sources of sugars that have no redeeming value- alcohol, breads with high fructose syrups...etc.

1 mom found this helpful

I have been type II diabetic for 12 years. Diabetics can eat the same foods in moderation, but low carb is best. There is a misconception that natural sugars, such as from fruit is better than sugar, say from candy. While nutritionally fresh fruit is better for you, all carbs are the same for raising blood sugar whether they come from processed sugar or fresh fruit.

It's the total carbs, not sugars, that matter. So stuffing,bread, mashed potatoes, pies, candied yams, etc. are bad, bad, bad.Corn and carrots also have high carbs. Turkey, green beans (not in high carb sauces),etc. are good.

And remember that sometimes diabetics suffer from low blood sugar, so make sure there is food available while you are waiting for dinner, especially if it's going to be a while. Don't make judgement calls if you see her eating something that you think she shouldn't. She knows what she can eat and splurge on for this holiday.

1 mom found this helpful

Hello! My father is a diabetic. I know that there are certain foods that go straight to sugar. Sweet potatos, corn, and carrots are especially bad. Diabetics should always eat their protein first. Twice as much protein as veggies...At least, that is what my father's doctor told him. Now, Old KY chocolates have great diabetic chocolates of all kinds. Ther are sweetened with manitol or sorbitol. If you get these for your mother, warn her not to eat too many. Sorbitol and manitol act as laxatives if too much is consumed.

I'll post some recipes later! A.

1 mom found this helpful

There is a dessert that my sister taught me how to make that is SOOOOOOO good you would never guess it is diabetic friendly!

1-2 cans of Sugar Free Pie Cherries
1-2 large boxes of instant Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding mix
1 Angle Food Cake
1 large tub Cool Whip (they now have sugar free cool whip too)

Open the cans, Mix up the pudding, Tear (cut) the cake into 1 inch squares. In a large bowl, starting with the cake, layer the ingredients.

If you don't like cherries try Strawberry Pie filling.

My sisters father in law was a diabetic and from helping her with Thanksgiving dinner I can't remember any other dishes that were any different but then again its been a while since I lived with her too. I hope you enjoy this recipe. It has been a big hit with everyone I've ever made it for.
~~~S.

1 mom found this helpful

S.,
I am so sorry that your mom was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and I hope this information will help you. While you have received some friendly advice, I must share with you that a carbohydrate is NOT a carbohydrate, with no distinction of how fast we absorb the sugar from that carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are simply long chains of sugars that are released at various rates in the body. This has been documented in the medical literature as "Glycemic Index" (the rate that sugars are absorbed and increase the blood sugar). Carbohydrates such as white bread, white flour, pasta, white rice, and potatoes release their sugars rapidly (high-glycemic foods) and increase the blood sugars FASTER than if you were slapping table sugar on your tongue. Foods such as green beans, rye or WHOLE wheat bread, whole apples, and cauliflower release their sugars slowly (low-glycemic foods).

Furthermore, I never like to see someone suffer from any disease, but specifically, Type II diabetes is reversible if the person is willing to take responsibility for changing their lifestyle.

I have more information that would be beneficial for you and your family. If you are interested in learning how to help your mom, please send me a message.

You are loved,
D.

1 mom found this helpful

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/Holidays_and_Special_O...

I found the above site to be helpful. Remember you can use Splenda in place of sugar for your pies and desserts (equal amount of Splenda as you'd use with sugar). If you're making any type of jello desserts, use the sugar free. Try using google, too. I got a ton of hits by typing in Diabetic Thanksgiving Recipes. Good luck! And how kind of you to make sure your Mom is able to enjoy the holiday without sacrificing her health! Kudos to you!

1 mom found this helpful

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes while I was pregnant and I went through Thanksgiving. In fact, that's the day that I told my extended family that I was pregnant and at the same time diabetic (I had to take small doses of insulin).

I watched what I ate, really. I ate turkey, a couple bites of mashed potatoes, and lots of veggies. I basically kept away from the rolls/breads and sweet stuff. I even made my very own sugar-free pumpkin cheesecake, which I had a small slice of. I would think just having the self-control and moderation should be enough. But I have heard of other recipes and I had tried them on other occassions. Try alternatives to mashed potatoes like mashed cauliflower. You can add a little cheese to it if you like. I thought it was great. Thanksgiving Dinner for you doesn't have to be turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes like everyone else does. You can make other veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc that would be beneficial for others to have as well. Dare to be different this year :) Enjoy the holiday with your family and don't stress the food too much with her.

1 mom found this helpful

most of the items that you would normally cook should bo fine. other than sugary desserts diabetics also have to watch their carb intake. your mother will knoe what she cant eat. honestly the only things on an average thanksgiving table she should stay away from are the stuffing and cranberry. also if you want recipes for extra items specifically for her there are diabetic recipe books you could look into.

1 mom found this helpful