15 Easy Diabetic Recipes You’ll Want to Make Over and Over

Not only are these diabetic-friendly recipes tasty, they are also easy to make.

Pineapple Pudding Cake

Taste of Home

My mother used to love making this easy dessert in the summertime. It's so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! Recipe shared by Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Mini Ham 'n' Cheese Frittatas

Taste of Home

I found this recipe a few years ago and tried to make it with it with a few changes. I'm diabetic, and this fits into my low-carb and low-fat diet. Every time I serve a brunch, the frittatas are the first thing to disappear, and nobody knows they are low fat! Recipe shared by Susan Watt, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Simple Lemon Pie

Taste of Home

Lemon meringue pie is one of my favorite desserts, and this yummy, sweet-tart version is so good that no one will suspect that it's light. Recipe shared by Frances VanFossan, Warren, Michigan. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Pork Chops with Honey-Garlic Sauce

Taste of Home

The honey and garlic sauce is so good, I sometimes double it so there's extra for dipping. Recipe shared by Michelle Smith, Eldersburg, Maryland. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW AD

Walnut-Crusted Salmon

Taste of Home

Whenever I can get salmon for a good price, I always turn to this simple and delicious recipe. Recipe shared by Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Carrot Broccoli Soup

Taste of Home

This soup is a staple at our house. It's fast, easy, yummy and so nutritious filled to the brim with carrots and broccoli! Recipe shared by Sandy Smith, London, Ontario. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

No-Fuss Avocado Onion Salad

Taste of Home

My mother could take a simple salad and turn it into something incredibly delicious. This one is a favorite of mine, and it is so easy to make. Recipe shared by Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Spinach-Mushroom Scrambled Eggs

Taste of Home

My husband and I enjoyed a mushroom egg dish at a hotel restaurant. I've created a healthy rendition with loads of hearty mushroom flavor. Recipe shared by Rachelle McCalla, Wayne, Nebraska. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW AD

Savory Apple-Chicken Sausage

Taste of Home

Healthy, tasty and simple to make, these patties will be a hearty addition to your breakfast table. The versatile recipe can be doubled or tripled for a crowd, and the sausage freezes well. Recipe shared by Angela Buchanan of Longmont, Colorado. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Southwestern Pineapple Pork Chops

Taste of Home

My husband and I love the Southwest. After a recent trip, I decided to add a Southwestern flair to a few of our favorite healthy dishes. Recipe shared by Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Easy Marinated Flank Steak

Taste of Home

I got this recipe from a friend 15 years ago. Even now, when my family makes steak on the grill, this is the recipe we use. It's a must when we’re having company. Recipe shared by Debbie Bonczek, Tariffville, Connecticut. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Easy Burgundy Stew

Taste of Home

Watching your salt intake? This satisfying stew has almost 2/3 less sodium than many "beef stew cup" products. To lower the sodium even further, replace the diced tomatoes with no-salt-added diced tomatoes. Recipe shared by Coleen Balch, Clay, New York. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW AD

Light & Easy Cheesecake Bars

Taste of Home

These cheesecake bars are special to me because family and friends ask me to make them again and again. Dried berries work well on these bars, too, if fresh berries are not available. Recipe shared by Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Balsamic Arugula Salad

Taste of Home

With four simple ingredients, this arugula salad comes together in a flash and makes a sophisticated side. Recipe shared by Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida. Get the recipe on TasteofHome.com

Easy Cheese Broccoli Soup

Taste of Home

My husband is diabetic, and I'm watching my weight. This soup fits our diets perfectly. Friends and family will never guess it only takes just 15 minutes to make! Recipe shared by Carol Colvin, Derby, New York.

8 Sweet and Salty Snack Recipes You’ll Want to Make Over and Over

Got a craving for sweet or savory? These decadent sweet and salty treats allow you to combine the best of both worlds.

Salted Caramel Pudding

Courtesy Portuguese Girl Cooks

Layer cookies crumbs with caramel pudding and whipped cream to achieve this pudding parfait from Portuguese Girl Cooks.

Homemade Chocolate Turtles

Courtesy Averie Cooks

Turtles are sweet-and-salty recipe staple. This no-bake recipe from Averie Cooks will have you devouring these chocolate treats in no time.

Sweet and Salty Brownie Cake Pops

Courtesy Mother Thyme

Cake pops are fun for both adults and kids and they're easy to eat on the go. Top your favorite brownie mix with Dove Dark Chocolate and crushed pretzels for a salty-sweet crunch. Check out the full instructions from Mother Thyme here.

Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

Courtesy Sallys Baking Addiction

Peanut butter fans, we've got you covered. Combine your favorite brand of popcorn with dry-roasted peanuts, honey, granulated sugar, salt, and creamy butter. See the full recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction here.

CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW AD

Saltine Cracker Toffee

Courtesy I Heart Naptime

This simply delicious treat from I Heart Naptime has just three ingredients and tastes so good, it's hard not to get addicted.

Salted Caramel Almond Bars

Courtesy Bake or Break

If the buttery crust from this almond bar isn't enough to win you over, just wait until you get to the crunchy, salted caramel topping. Check out Bake or Break's full recipe here.

Salted Caramel Brownie Bites

Courtesy Brubaker via Inside Bru Crew Life

These mini bites are dangerously easy to make! Inside Bru Crew Life adds Rolos and sea salt to make the perfect bite-sized combination.

Bite-Sized Peanut Butter Pretzel M&M Cookies

Courtesy Sallys Baking Addiction

M&Ms? Check. Pretzels? Check. Peanut Butter? Check. It's a party of flavors in these cookies from Sally's Baking Addiction.

Thanksgiving Food Fails: 10 Quick Fixes for the Worst Dinner Screw-Ups

Thanksgiving Food Fails: 10 Quick Fixes for the Worst Dinner Screw-Ups

Don't give up on your holiday dinner yet! Here, the chef-approved tricks to save anything—from dry turkey to pasty mashed potatoes.

Peter Arkle for Reader's Digest, Nicolas McComber/iStock (turkey)

Crisis: Bone-Dry Turkey

Quick Fix: Heat 3 cups of turkey, chicken, or vegetable broth in the microwave. Carve the turkey and soak each piece in the warm broth for 3 seconds. Remove, shake off excess, and serve with savory gravy.

Crisis: Gluey Mashed Potatoes

Quick Fix: Mixed potatoes into a sticky paste? Turn them into a casserole. Spread the mashed potatoes in an 8-by-8-inch baking dish, drizzle with 2 tablespoons melted butter, sprinkle with ⅓ cup grated cheese (such as Parmesan), and top generously with ⅔ cup bread crumbs. Bake at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Crisis: Scorched Asparagus

Quick Fix: Scoop the most salvageable pieces into a separate dish. Offset the bitter, burned flavor by drizzling veggies with an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice, orange juice, or vinegar. Toss to mix. Another option: Highlight the burned flavor by sprinkling with Cajun or Creole seasoning.

Crisis: Soggy Stuffing

Quick Fix: Fold in a few pieces of corn bread. Mix until you reach the desired dryness. If it becomes too dry, add 1 cup of chicken broth for every 4 cups of stuffing; allow to soak for 1 minute before adding more.

Crisis: Flavorless Gravy

Quick Fix: Season with bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir in a tablespoon of fruity white wine (such as Chardonnay) for a bright, floral flavor. Bring to a simmer for 3 minutes or until fragrant.

Crisis: Limp Salad

Quick Fix: If the salad is soggy, there could be too much dressing. Place only the leaves in a salad spinner or shake in a colander to draw out excess moisture. Mix back into the salad bowl with fresh, undressed greens for extra crunch.

KeithBishop/iStock (salt), Titan120/iStock (ham)

Crisis: Salty Ham

Quick Fix: If the first piece you slice is overbearingly salty, glaze the rest of the ham with sweet flavor. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup honey with 3 to 4 tablespoons orange juice, apple juice, or pineapple juice. Vigorously whisk, then baste the ham with the glaze before serving (don’t return it to the oven—the heat will draw out moisture and make the meat saltier). Slice thinly to serve.

Crisis: Mushy Brussels Sprouts

Quick Fix: For veggies that are more mush than masterpiece, puree in a food processor. Raid your fridge for spreadable cheese—such as ricotta or cream cheese—and fold into the puree to taste for texture. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. Use as an appetizer dip for crudités, or spread on leftover turkey sandwiches.

Crisis: Bitter Cranberry Sauce

Quick Fix: Resist adding granulated sugar—you won’t get the full effect unless you reheat the sauce and the sugar dissolves. Instead, start by stirring in 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness).

Crisis: Soupy Apple Pie

Quick Fix: Runny pie is the result of too little thickener or too-juicy apples. Make apple-pie sundaes instead: Puree the filling in a blender. Lightly pour over vanilla ice cream, and top with whipped cream, cherries, nuts, and other tasty garnishes.

Sources: Brian Adornetto, chef and owner of Love at First Bite, a private chef business in North Carolina; Derrick Davenport, executive chef for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Beth Vlasich Pav, personal chef and founder of Beth Pav’s Cooking by Design, a culinary website; foodreference.about.com; realsimple.com; finecooking.com; allrecipes.com; eatingwell.com

15 Classic Thanksgiving Foods, Ranked From Best to Worst for Your Weight

Certain Thanksgiving staples are far more sinful than others. Here, the healthiest Thanksgiving foods to indulge in, and other dishes to eat in moderation.

Cooked spinach: 41 calories per 1 cup

iStock/4kodiak

The pros: A generous portion keeps your appetite under control for far fewer calories and more vitamins than, say, a biscuit. Each cup offers 5 grams of satiating protein. Plus, your body absorbs higher levels of protein, vitamins A and E, fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, and valuable carotenoids such as beta-carotene (important for eye health) when you eat spinach cooked rather than raw. The cons: The spinach could be loaded with hidden calories, depending on how it's prepared. A quarter cup of crumbled feta, for example, can add upwards of 100 calories. Stick to a balsamic vinegar topping, for only 14 calories per tablespoon.

Brussels sprouts: 56 calories per 1 cup

iStock/sf

The pros: Like spinach, Brussels offer more satiating protein than most vegetables (4 grams per cup). Starting your meal with them can help keep cravings in check throughout the rest of dinner. Plus, one cup of Brussels sprouts provides 195 percent of vitamin K and 125 percent of vitamin C needs for the day. The cons: They're not always a crowd pleaser. People who dislike Brussels sprouts have a certain version of a taste receptor gene, which binds strongly to bitter compounds. This makes some people more sensitive to the veggies' bitter flavor. Sound like you? Replace with spinach or another low-carb veggie (mashed spuds don't count).

Gravy: 61 calories, 2.5 g fat per 1/2 cup

iStock/DebbiSmirnoff

The pros: In moderation, gravy can be a tasty way to flavor healthy, slimming foods (read: vegetables or skinless turkey breast). The cons: It adds to your plate's fat count. If you make gravy from scratch, refrigerate before serving and skim off the fat that solidifies on top with a spoon. Reheat and serve.

Corn on the cob: 95 calories (with a pat of butter)

iStock/swalls

The pros: Don't let the "sweet" in sweet corn deter you. An ear of corn has about the same number of calories as an apple, but with less than a quarter of the sugar. It also has about 3 grams dietary fiber per ear. The cons: A pat of butter (if you can stick to only a pat) adds 36 calories to your cob. Go liberally for a tablespoon? That's 102 extra calories. And too much added salt can lead to holiday bloat.

CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW AD

Green Bean Casserole: 110 calories, 8 g fat per 2/3 cup

iStock/adlifemarketing

The pros: It's not as high-cal as other Thanksgiving sides. Many recipes use mushrooms in addition to green beans, so you get a healthy dose of veggies with your holiday tradition. The cons: Most green bean casserole recipes call for processed ingredients, such as canned soup and processed cheese, that can be high in sodium and fat. Dishes often contain both saturated and trans fat. For every 2 percent of calories from trans fat consumed daily, your risk of heart disease rises by 23 percent.

Sweetened Cranberry Sauce: 110 calories, 22 g sugar per 1/4 cup

iStock/DebbiSmirnoff

The pros: Cranberry sauce generally has little to no fat. This may make it a good alternative to gravy for a meat topping if you've already served yourself plenty of dark meat (high in fat) and buttery side dishes. The cons: It's high in sugar, and packs many calories for little satiety.

White wine: 121 calories per glass

iStock/Materio

The pros: Lower in calories than red wine or beer, white wine is a light drink choice for dinner that won't derail your weight loss goals. The cons: You'll have to keep a closer eye on how much you pour. A study from Iowa State University and Cornell University found that white wine drinkers pour 9.2 percent more into their glass than do red wine drinkers (possibly because clear wine makes it seem like there's less in a glass).

Red wine: 125 calories per glass

iStock/200mm

The pros: It's backed by science. When Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers tracked nearly 20,000 normal-weight women for 13 years, they found that those who enjoyed a glass or two of red wine a day were 30 percent less likely to be overweight than nondrinkers. Related studies have suggested that a compound present in red wine and grapes may inhibit the development of fat cells. Red wine also has slightly less sugar in a serving than white wine. The cons: The calories can add up, especially if you have more than one glass.

CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW AD

Turkey Breast without skin (about 3.5 ounces): 127 calories, 2 g fat

iStock/Dar1930

The pros: White turkey meat (wings and breast) has fewer calories and less fat than dark meat (thighs). It packs about 30 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce serving. The cons: If you're trying to sneak in a few extra healthy nutrients on Thanksgiving, turkey breast has lower levels of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, thiamine, and vitamins B6 and B12 than dark meat.

Dark turkey meat with skin (about 3.5 ounces): 206 calories, 10 g fat

iStock/monica

The pros: Though higher in calories and fat than white meat, dark meat is still a good source of filling protein (about 27 g per 3.5-ounce serving). It also delivers more iron than turkey breast: 11 percent of the daily value, compared to 7 percent in turkey breast. The cons: By leaving the skin on, you significantly increase the amount of saturated fat on your plate.

Biscuit: 212 calories

iStock/bhofack2

The pros: If you're cooking biscuits, you have a bit more flexibility than with other dishes to make healthy tweaks. For example, instead of using sour cream, you can sub in Greek yogurt to lower the fat and calorie count. The cons: Without any healthy tweaks, biscuits are essentially flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and milk or cream. That's a large number of calories for little nutritional value and little satiety. And chances are, you're topping that biscuit with butter or gravy.

Mashed Potatoes with whole milk and margarine: 237 calories, 9 g fat per cup

iStock/phasinphoto

The pros: A cup of mashed potatoes offers 3 g of healthy fiber. It also has a good amount of vitamin C, vitamin B, and minerals including potassium, magnesium, and iron. The cons: As with many Thanksgiving sides, the main culprit in high-calorie, high-fat mashed potatoes is the add-ins (in this case, whole milk and margarine). By preparing mashed potatoes with just whole milk, and no margarine, you can save 73 calories and 8 g fat per cup.

CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW AD

Pumpkin pie: 316 calories, 14 g fat per slice

iStock/kirin

The pros: Pumpkin itself is low in calories and packed with fiber, which means more satiety and a lower chance of cravings later in the evening. It's also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and beta-carotene. The cons: Clearly, pumpkin pie has more ingredients than just healthy pumpkin. The crust's butter and flour, along with cream and sugar required for the filling, make for a large dose of saturated fat and calories. Before you go for seconds, keep this in mind: It would take a 32-minute run to burn off the calories in one slice.

Stuffing: 390 calories, 24 g fat per cup

iStock/bhofack2

The pros: It's possible to cut calories! Cook it in a separate dish outside of the turkey and save yourself 70 calories per tablespoon. The cons: You're essentially chowing down on bread, butter, and sometimes sausage. Make it healthier: Use whole wheat bread instead of white bread, and Granny Smith apples rather than cranberries.

Apple pie: 411 calories, 19 g of fat per slice

iStock/budgaugh

The pros: It's a Thanksgiving favorite. An NPR poll found 20 percent of people prefer apple pie over any other type this holiday. Looking forward to an indulgence for dessert could encourage you to make healthier decisions (like swapping out spuds for spinach) throughout the rest of the meal. The cons: With its buttery crust and sugary filling, one slice of apple pie has more calories than a plate of turkey breast with gravy, buttery corn on the cob, and a glass of red wine.