Delicious Recipes for Seniors with Diabetes

Seniors with diabetes require balanced and nutritious meals. Their food should have a specific amount of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and nutrients to keep blood glucose levels from rising too much. A nutritious and healthy diet can boost overall health and help in maintaining a high quality of life. Here are a few delicious recipes suggested by expert Boynton Beach home care providers for seniors with diabetes to keep them satisfied without affecting their blood sugar levels.

Kabobs

A fun-filled variation from a typical vegetable and meat dinner, kabobs are a power pack of nutrition. Caramelized grilled vegetables can satisfy a sweet tooth without loading the dish with too many carbohydrates or sugar. The protein in the kabobs meat can help seniors maintain their blood sugar levels and digest food slowly.

The recipe is quite simple. Take skinless, boneless chicken breast and cut it into little cubes of one-inch. Marinate the cubes in a bowl for at least one hour with one tablespoon of sesame oil, 1/2 cup of soy sauce (low-sodium), and two tablespoons of vinegar (preferably rice wine). Chop your loved one’s favorite vegetable. You can choose from an extensive range of options including bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onions.  Take a metal skewer, alternate the meat, mushrooms, tomato, red onions, and bell pepper. Grill until meat cooked through and become succulent. Lean cuts of beef or pork can be substituted to provide a variety of flavors to your senior loved one.

Quinoa Pilaf

This grain is a rich source of protein. If your senior loved one wants to maintain sugar spikes, substitute quinoa with rice. Quinoa has high protein and fiber content and can be used in several dishes.

Take one cup of quinoa and rinse it under cold water until it runs clear. Make chicken broth with low-sodium and stir in the rinsed quinoa in two cups of boiled broth. Reduce the heat and cover the pan. It usually takes 20 minutes to cook quinoa. After quinoa grains become soft, fluff with a fork. In a separate pan take olive oil and sauté finely mince 1/2 onion until it is translucent. Remove it from the heat when it becomes golden brown and add in the cooked quinoa. Garnish with chopped parsley and squeeze 1/2 a lemon over a serving plate. If you don’t have time to cook this nutritious dish for your aging loved one, a professional caregiver from a Boynton Beach home care agency can assist.   

Berry Fruit Salad

Fresh berries are low in carbohydrates and keep blood sugar levels from spiking. They are filled with fiber and slow the process of digestion.

Wash a variety of your loved one’s favorite berries like raspberries, strawberries, acai, blueberries, and blackberries, and place them in a bowl. Take a separate pan, mix the juice of limes, poppy seeds, and a pinch of stevia. Drizzle over this mixture before serving the bowl of fresh berries for a light dessert or refreshing side dish.