Diabetic Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

About Diabetic Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

There's no need to skip your favorite foods this thanksgiving holiday.

These diabetic friendly thanksgiving recipes are great options to add to your Thanksgiving feast that help you balance your blood sugar and enjoy your holiday meals.

The main course is often meat like roasted turkey, roast, turkey breast, or other lean meat which provide protein. (P.S. Be sure to check out this DIY Roasting Rack if you need a disposable quick option to cook your protein)

I am sharing 20 diabetes-friendly recipes that are a great way to add variety and flavor to your thanksgiving plate.

Tips for Blood Sugar Management

This time of year is always hectic but it doesn't mean your blood sugar has to suffer. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to help manage your blood sugar levels while enjoying thanksgiving dinner (and the entire holiday season).

Pair carbohydrates with protein.

Make sure to always consume protein, especially when you are eating carbs. Protein includes turkey, chicken, seafood, fish, meat, tofu, dairy products, nuts, and seeds.

This helps stabilize your blood sugar to prevent massive spikes and crashes. Eating protein with carbohydrates helps to keep your blood glucose levels in a more manageable range.

Also, protein helps you feel fuller and satisfied for longer.

Eat more fiber.

Fiber is another helpful thing to include in helping to manage your blood sugar levels. It slows blood sugar spikes and crashes.

Additionally, fiber keeps you feeling full, and it is beneficial for gut health and heart health.

Move your body after the meal.

According to research studies, a quick walk after a meal can significantly lower your blood sugar.

A simple 2 minute walk is all it takes to lower your blood sugar after a meal. No need to walk outside though. You can march in place or walk around your house for a few minutes to see some benefits.

Veggie Sides

Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetables

Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetables are an easy, tasty side dish to add more veggies to your Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or holiday table. It's a crowd pleaser even with the people who don't want veggies.

Excellent fall and winter recipe that is gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free. High in filling fiber and yummy flavor, these are great addition for more nutrients in your thanksgiving meal.

Sauteed Green Beans

Green bean casserole is great, but these are a great option for green beans without adding another casserole. These easy Sautéed Green Beans are a healthy, tasty, and quick side dish that can be made using fresh or frozen green beans.

This recipe is gluten-free and easily made dairy free & vegan. Plus, you only need 5 ingredients including green beans, olive oil or butter, salt, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts recipe takes less than 30 minutes for a tasty sweet and spicy side dish. Oven roasted with garlic and pecan, then tossed with sriracha sauce and honey.

Maple and Orange Winter Salad with Apples

Maple and Orange Winter Salad with Apples is a tasty salad covered in toppings like bacon, blue cheese, and apples with a sweet and tangy dressing.

Buffalo Brussels Sprouts

Simple Buffalo Brussels Sprouts recipe turn basic oven roasted Brussels sprouts into a spicy, flavorful, vegetarian and gluten free side dish or appetizer.

Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes

Sweet Potato Casserole

While most sweet potato casserole recipes are full of added sugar, this recipe uses much less maple syrup and brown sugar for a rich but not overly-sweet flavor.

Start by roasting the sweet potatoes to bring our their natural sweetness.

Healthy Cranberry Sauce

Lower in added sugar, this easy, healthy Homemade Cranberry Sauce gets its sweetness from orange juice and applesauce, plus a touch of honey or maple syrup.

Squash Casserole

Southern Squash Casserole is a creamy, classic casserole that tastes great when served on your holiday table or as a side dish for chicken.

Made with fresh or frozen yellow squash, this easy casserole can be made year-round and requires minimal prep work without any cans cream of soup.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes are made in no time thanks to the pressure cooker. This easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe has the perfect balance of potatoes and cauliflower to give you an extra serving of veggies in your favorite comfort food dish.

Garlic and rosemary give it even more flavor. Easily made dairy-free & vegan and great to make ahead of time.

Starters

Spicy Pumpkin Deviled Eggs

Spicy Pumpkin Deviled Eggs are a fun appetizer or snack for Thanksgiving. Made with pumpkin puree, there's no need to use mayo, and you get an extra kick of spice from the harissa paste.

With 6 grams of protein and only 2 grams of carbohydrates, the low carb snack is a tasty starter.

Brie and Apple Pecan Bites

These yummy little bites are the perfect starter for your Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday, fall, or winter dinner.

They are simple and can be made in the toaster oven making them a great, warm appetizer to hold guests over before the feast.

Pumpkin Hummus

Homemade Pumpkin Hummus made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin seeds for double the delicious (but not overpowering) pumpkin flavor. Healthy, easy vegan appetizer or snack recipe for Thanksgiving.

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Dip

This Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Dip is simply Brussels sprouts covered in cheese and bacon served as a dip, and it's delish!

Similar to a spinach and artichoke dip and great for a Thanksgiving appetizer.

Soups

Butternut Squash Soup

This soup is easy and quick to make. It is great for the fall, and it would be a perfect starter for your Thanksgiving meal.

Roasted Carrot Soup

Comforting, easy Roasted Carrot Soup recipe is a lovely weeknight dinner since it's ready in less than one hour. This vegetarian, gluten free soup is creamy and flavorful and can be served as a side dish or main meal. Skip the parmesan to make this dairy free and vegan.

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Bisque

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Bisque is a filling, thick, and creamy soup made in a slow cooker that is savory with a hint of sweetness.

Diabetes-Friendly Dessert Recipes

Low Sugar Pecan Pie Bars

A bar version of everyone's favorite Thanksgiving dessert: pecan pie.

The pie crust is made with gluten free almond flour and cornstarch for a crumbly shortbread texture.

Instead of corn syrup, the pecan pie filling is made with dates and maple syrup. This is my favorite option when it comes to diabetes friendly thanksgiving recipes for dessert.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

These gluten-free, nut-free pumpkin cheesecake bars are like pumpkin pie and cheesecake had a baby. They're easy, nutritious, and make-ahead dessert that can also be enjoyed with breakfast or as a snack.

With 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving, these are sweetened with dates, pumpkin puree, and yogurt.

Microwave Apple Crisp

Apples covered in a buttery topping with a touch of brown sugar.

You can make dessert in the microwave if needed! This microwave baked apple crisp recipe originally serves one, but it can easily be multiplied to serve more.

Microwave Baked Apples recipe with cinnamon and brown sugar is a healthy, quick, and easy dessert for one.