Recipes for Diabetics
Bee Pollen Recipes
Bee pollen is an amazing superfood, and these straightforward, delectable, and healthful bee pollen dishes make it simple to consume on a regular basis! You’ll enjoy these nutritious selections because they are dairy- and gluten-free and emphasize whole foods.
A superfood called bee pollen may be purchased at many natural or health food stores. It has a granular texture and is composed of a mixture of nectar, honey, flower pollen, and digestive enzymes from bees. Not simply because it makes a lovely garnish but also because it has a little sweet and floral flavor, this superfood is becoming more and more well-known in the cooking world. I keep bee pollen in my cupboard at all times since I enjoy sprinkling it on various foods.
What Is Eating Bee Pollen Good For?
According to Healthline, bee pollen includes more than 250 bioactive compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes! Bee pollen is a fantastic source of antioxidants! It may help lessen the chance of developing heart disease, as well as inflammation in the body and liver function.
What Is the Best Way to Take Bee Pollen?
There are various ways to enjoy bee pollen. It can be added to smoothies or blended drinks, or it can be sprinkled on yogurt, smoothie bowls, or overnight oats. It pairs well with raw sweets and can be used as a covering for energy balls or handmade truffles. Additionally, it can be included in granola, hot beverages, and other dishes. It can also be turned into a powder and used in a variety of ways in that form.
Bee Pollen Recipes:
Blackberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
• 1 cup frozen banana
• ¾ cups frozen blueberries
• ¾ cups frozen blackberries
• ¼ cup creamy unsalted almond butter
• 1 teaspoon maca
• 1 teaspoon chia
• water or unsweetened plant milk
• Suggested Toppings: sliced kiwi, raw buckwheat groats, more almond butter, bee pollen, and coconut flakes!
Instructions
- Frozen bananas, blueberries, blackberries, almond butter, maca, chia, and enough water or plant milk to achieve the required smoothness should all be added to the bowl of a powerful mixer. Reserve your toppings for last. I use 1 to 1.5 cups of liquid since I prefer my smoothie bowls to be creamy, like ice cream.
- High-speed blending is necessary to combine everything, so scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go.
- Pour your smoothie into your serving bowl to serve, then garnish with your preferred toppings.
Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Bee Pollen
Ingredients
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tbsp bee pollen plus extra for garnishing
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 /4 cup coconut flakes
• 1 /4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 /4 cup flax seeds
• 3 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup dry pitted dates soaked in purified water for at least 1 hr
• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
• Pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Set the oven to 175/347 F before using.
- Oats, flax, sunflower seeds, and turmeric should be added to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle 1 tbsp of coconut oil over the mixture, then stir to blend.
- 5 minutes into roasting, remove from oven and place in a big basin.
- Salt, drained dates, the remaining coconut oil, peanut butter, and salt should all be added to the food processor and blended to create a homogeneous mixture.
- Divide in half and then stir the bee pollen and one-half into the dish of oats. With the aid of a spoon, spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of a square baking dish.
- The remaining peanut butter mixture with the cacao added should be blended to combine before being transferred and spread into an even layer on top of the granola mixture.
- Granulated pollen should be added, and it should be combined readily.
- Cut into bars and serve after spending the night in the fridge, or store for up to a week in an airtight glass container.
Coconut Yogurt Superfood Tarts
Ingredients
Chocolate Crust:
• 1 cup pitted dates, softened or soaked in warm water for 10 minutes, then drained
• ½ cup raw almonds
• ½ cup raw walnut halves
• 1 ½ tablespoon cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
Filling:
• ¾ cup plain unsweetened coconut yogurt or other probiotic yogurts of choice
• a few drops of stevia or 1 teaspoon of honey or pure maple syrup to sweeten, if desired
Toppings:
• ½ ounce 85% dark chocolate, melted.
• Crushed nuts/seeds, chopped goji berries or other dried fruits, hemp seeds, bee pollen … and any other healthy superfood toppings your heart desires!
Instructions
- Making the tart crusts comes first. If the dates are not already very tender to the touch, soak them.
- Dates should be added to a food processor along with the remaining crust ingredients after they are soft. The food processor should be run for 2 minutes on high, stopping every so often to scrape the sides with a spatula.
- Small pieces of almonds and walnuts will be all that is left of the mixture once it becomes sticky, clumped, and slightly oily.
- To make a crust that is about 1 cm thick all around in a regular-sized muffin tin, take a bit of the crust mixture the size of a golf ball, roll it into a ball with your palms, and then press evenly into the muffin tin cup.
- In total, 8 crusts will be produced by repeating this process.
- For 15 to 20 minutes of crust hardening, place the muffin pan in the freezer.
- When the crusts are ready to be removed from the muffin tray and placed on a big plate or platter, carefully do so.
- Once the chocolatey crusts are all filled with yogurt, combine the coconut yogurt with the preferred sweetener, if using, and divide the mixture among them. Put the mixture back in the freezer.
- The chocolate should be melted in a small nonstick pan over low heat or in a double boiler.
- Take the tarts out of the freezer after the chocolate has melted, and then pour some chocolate over each one. Add extra superfood toppings to each tart as desired to complete the dish.
Peanut Butter Acai Bowl
Ingredients
• 1 packet (3.5oz) frozen acai berry puree (any brand)
• 1 banana, frozen and cut into chunks
• 1 /2 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 /2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
Toppings:
• 1 /4 banana, sliced
• 2 sliced strawberries
• 1 /4 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 /4 cup of your favorite granola (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 /2 tablespoon natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon raw honey (optional)
• 1 teaspoon bee pollen (optional)
Granola Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
• Granola
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 /4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 /2 cup maple syrup
• 1 /4 cup desiccated coconut
• 1 /4 cup sliced almonds
To Serve
• 1/2 cup almond milk warmed
• 1 /4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 apple thinly sliced
• 1 Tablespoon bee pollen
Instructions
- Set oven temperature set to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the ingredients for the granola in a medium bowl, then spread the mixture out on a baking sheet.
- Granola should be baked for a total of one hour in the oven, including tossing. 4 pots or bowls should be created.
- Pour hot milk over the granola. Garnish with the apple and bee pollen after spooning the yogurt on top.
FAQ
a. What do you cook with bee pollen?
Bee pollen can be added to salad dressings, smoothies, acai bowls, granola and yogurt parfaits, sliced fruit, soups, and smoothie parfaits. It can also be blended into these foods. Be sure to include bee pollen in your favorite baked items, homemade granola bars, and raw vegan dishes.
b. What does bee pollen taste good with?
The flavor of bee pollen is mildly flowery and pleasant. It is powdery. Most people like to eat bee pollen raw, sprinkled on foods like oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, and pancakes. This includes us at Just Bee.
c. Can you mix bee pollen in coffee?
In the cup’s bottom, sprinkle bee pollen. As soon as the bee pollen has dissolved, add 3 tablespoons of hot coffee to the cup and stir. Once the honey and coffee are thoroughly combined, add 1 tablespoon of honey and continue stirring.
d. Who should not take bee pollen?
Additionally, some drugs may interact with it, so always consult your doctor before beginning any supplements. Moreover, it would be wise to stay away from it owing to safety concerns if you have allergies, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are under the age of one.
e. Can you eat bee pollen straight?
Consuming pollen is possible in a number of ways, including adding it to food, smoothies, hot beverages, or straight up. A reaction to bee pollen can occur in some persons who are allergic to it; thus, it should always be used with caution. A portion of healthy food is bee pollen.
f. Can I put bee pollen in hot tea?
Therefore, when a person inquires, “Can I add Fresh Bee Pollen to hot tea?” Please be aware that you can, but that heat may cause the nutritious value to decrease. Cold tea is one thing, but adding bee pollen to it is quite another; the pollen’s nutritious value will remain intact in cold tea.
g. Can you take bee pollen and honey together?
It has been conclusively established through research that adding bee pollen to pure honey considerably boosted honey’s capacity to heal and gave more evidence in favor of its traditional uses.
h. Is bee pollen good for diabetics?
Vitamins A, C, and E, which can speed up wound healing and stop infection, are all found in bee pollen. Obesity and diabetes frequently coexist, so control your weight. Due to its components, which boost metabolism and aid in fat burning, bee pollen can help control diabetes and obesity.
i. Does bee pollen reduce cholesterol?
The pollen that bees gather from flowers to use as a food source is known as bee pollen. It has been used to reduce weight and cholesterol since it contains a lot of protein.
Diabetic Smoothies
Although having diabetes does not require you to forgo all of your favorite foods, you still need to make healthier eating selections. Consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables is a healthy option because they are high in nutrition but low in calories.
Different fruits and vegetables are better than others at helping you control your diabetes. Look for products with a low glycemic index and load, which means they will not cause a blood sugar surge.
To strengthen your bones and supply healthy gut bacteria, it is crucial to consume a lot of dairy products high in calcium and probiotics. Low-fat milk, kefir, and Greek yogurt are all excellent sources.
Despite the fact that you do not need to consume these meals with a fork or even a spoon, they remain an integral part of any diabetes diet. One smoothie can include a lot of nourishment while still being a tasty pleasure. You can regularly eat these sweets as long as you stick to healthy foods and do not add additional sweeteners.
Just keep in mind to count the fruit you add to your smoothies as part of your daily fruit intake, so you do not consume too many carbohydrates. If you consume too much sugar, even natural sugar might raise your blood sugar levels.
What is a diabetic smoothie?
Delicious, simple smoothie recipes that are low in carbohydrates and free of added sugar are included in this collection of diabetic-friendly smoothies. If they are a good source of fiber and protein, bonus points are awarded.
Here are 6 diabetes-friendly smoothie ideas to get you started.
STRAWBERRY BANANA PROTEIN SMOOTHIE
I cannot decide whether to use fresh or frozen strawberries for this recipe, so I go with what’s available. In contrast to frozen strawberries, which have a thicker (nearly slush-ice) consistency, fresh strawberries have a richer flavor. Amazing flavors can be found in both.
Simply by increasing the smoothie’s creaminess without overpowering the flavor of the banana, you can add a small amount. The strawberries should continue to be the main attraction.
The vitamins and minerals in bananas are also abundant. They are ideal for a shake after working out.
Simply combine the ingredients in a blender, and blend the mixture to make this recipe! Really simple, no?
Here’s the process:
Step 1: Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until well combined (I use my Nutribullet).
Step 2: As needed to get the appropriate consistency, add water to the smoothie. Add as much water as you would like gradually after starting with a small amount.
Step 3: To make the smoothie thicker (almost like slush ice) consistency, serve it over ice or top it with frozen fruit. A wonderful shake for a healthy snack or fueling yourself after exercise may be made in just three easy steps.
SPINACH SMOOTHIE (LOW-CARB & GLUTEN-FREE)
Nut butter, yogurt, and avocado are added to this delectable spinach smoothie to give it more creaminess. It is a fantastic way to start your morning with some lush greens.
• 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ avocado (pitted)
• ¼ cup milk (or almond milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• a few drops of sweetener (to taste)
• 1 cup ice
Instructions
i. The blender should be filled with all the ingredients minus the ice. Mix until emulsified.
ii. When the ice is mostly pulverized, add it and pulse one more. The mixture should be smooth and creamy after blending.
iii. A blueberry smoothie that is vegan (Low-Carb, High-Protein)
iv. Rich, creamy, and loaded with antioxidants is this simple vegan blueberry smoothie!
v. Use it to chill off after a workout or as a delectable afternoon snack.
Only 5 ingredients are required for this dish.
Ingredients
• 14 oz. canned unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 /2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 4 tablespoon pea protein powder
• 1 /2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
i. A high-speed blender should be filled with blueberries, almond milk, pea protein powder, and vanilla.
ii. If you want a thicker smoothie, add the coconut milk gradually.
iii. Until the smoothie has colored a light purple and all the ingredients are thoroughly combined, blend on high.
LOW-CARB GREEN SMOOTHIE
A fantastic source of protein and good fats is this low-carb green smoothie. It becomes incredibly creamy thanks to the avocado and almond butter, and the spinach ups the nutritional value.
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• ¼ cup protein powder (I used lsopure Vanilla)
• A few drops of Stevia sweetener
• 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup frozen avocado
• 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
i. Except for the ice cubes, place all of the ingredients in the blender.
ii. Blend until completely smooth.
iii. Once the ice cubes have been added, reprocess the mixture in the mixer until it is perfectly smooth.
Notes: This recipe yields two smoothies.
CHOCOLATE AVOCADO SMOOTHIE
Rich, creamy, and loaded with a killer combination of nutritious, mouthwatering ingredients, this simple chocolate avocado smoothie with coconut milk is a must-try! Additionally, it is vegan, low-carb, and gluten-free.
Ingredients
• 1 /2 ripe avocado
• 3 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1 /2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• pinch mineral salt
• 6-7 drops liquid Stevia
• Fresh mint (for decoration)
Instructions
i. In a blender, combine all the components.
ii. Blend at a high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. To taste, add additional liquid Stevia if required.
iii. If preferred, garnish with fresh mint before serving.
Notes: A chocolate avocado smoothie can be made using this recipe for two serves.
LOW-CARB WATERMELON SMOOTHIE WITH MINT
It only takes a few minutes to prepare this low-carb watermelon, mint, and lime smoothie, which is wonderfully cooling.
Ingredients
• 2 cups watermelon (cubed and chilled)
• 1 lime (juiced)
• 5 drops stevia liquid (or to taste)
• ½ cup soy milk
• 5-10 fresh mint leaves (to taste)
• 3 cups ice
Instructions
1. Blend the watermelon, lime juice, stevia, soy milk, and mint in a blender.
2. Blend until absolutely smooth.
3. Ice should be added.
4. Serve the smoothie right after pulsing to include it.
Notes: This watermelon smoothie recipe makes enough for 4 servings. One cup is the size of each serving.
CINNAMON ROLL SMOOTHIE
This smoothie that tastes exactly like a cinnamon roll is nutritious, tasty, and wonderful.
Ingredients
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
• 1 /2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 /4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons Stevia sweetener
• 1 teaspoon flax meal
• 1 cup ice
Instructions
Add the ice last after adding all ingredients to the blender. Until well combined and thickened, mix on high for 30 seconds.
FAQ
What smoothie is best for diabetics?
• Low-carb Smoothies for Diabetics
• Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie.
• Vegan Blueberry Smoothies.
• Low-carb Smoothie Bowl with Berries.
• Green Keto Smoothie with Avocado and Peanut Butter.
• Chocolate Avocado Smoothie.
• Strawberry Basil Smoothie.
• Key Lime Pie Protein Shake Smoothie.
• Cinnamon Roll Smoothie.
I sincerely hope you take pleasure in these tasty low-carb smoothie recipes as much as I do. Please share your thoughts about these diabetic-friendly low-carb smoothie recipes in the comments if you have tried any of them.
Are smoothies good for diabetics?
Smoothies can be a useful addition to a diabetes diet if they contain fiber, protein, and healthy fat. People with diabetes should steer clear of smoothies made entirely of fruit and be careful about how many carbohydrates they consume in each smoothie since this will have an immediate impact on their blood sugar levels.
Is a banana smoothie OK for diabetics?
Bananas are a good example of a fruit that is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Even if you have diabetes, bananas can still be a part of your diet.
Will a smoothie spike my blood sugar?
Even though a smoothie is packed to the brim with nutritious nutrients, if the servings are too big or the ingredient ratios are off, the blood sugar levels may surge.
5 Diabetes Dessert Recipes
Having diabetes should not restrict you from enjoying sweet treats. Some recipes are ideal for people with all types of diabetes, including pre-diabetes, diabetes type 1, diabetes type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Ideally, diabetes desserts should have one or more of the following things compared to traditional desserts:
• More fiber
• Less sugars
• Increased proteins
• More plant-based fats
If you have diabetes and you want to lower your sugar level, here are dessert recipes you should try:
5 Diabetes Dessert Recipes
1. Strawberries & Whipped Cream
The dessert is rich in antioxidants making it a good choice for diabetic people looking to boost their immune system. The ingredients include strawberries, powdered stevia, and heavy whipping cream.
Ingredients:
- Heavy Whipping Cream (1/2 cup)
- Strawberries (1/2 pound)
- Powdered Stevia (1 tablespoon)
The process of making strawberries and whipped cream is straightforward. Just slice up the strawberries and sprinkle some stevia to taste.
Add the heavy whipped cream and if you want to add some taste, consider adding milk or coconut milk.
2. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Egg-free no-bake cookie dough bites are perfect for you and your family. Have you ever heard of garbanzo beans?
It is a secret ingredient that makes the cookie dough bites delicious and nutritious.
Garbanzo beans are rich in proteins and fiber, which helps in lowering blood sugar levels. Although not everyone likes sugary foods, you can add maple syrup to sweeten the cookies.
Remember, if you want to balance blood sugar, almond flour is the best.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 can low sodium garbanzo beans rinsed and drained
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Follow these steps to make no-bake cookie dough bites:
It’s best to mix oats and almond flour in a food processor until a fine powder is visible.
Add the rest of the ingredients except the chocolate chips. Process the ingredients until you form a batter.
If the mixture is too dry, consider adding some water. Adding some water makes the process easier.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir the chocolate chips by hand. Use a cookie scoop to roll the dough into balls, then refrigerate them for about 4 hours.
Refrigeration is crucial to make the chocolate chip cookie dough bites fluffy and round without baking them.
To make mini chocolate chips:
Start the process by preheating the oven to 350°F.
Add ½ tablespoonful baking powder, flaxseed egg, or an ordinary egg to the original ingredients.
Follow the steps discussed above besides the refrigeration step.
It is advisable to skip the refrigeration step because you will eventually bake the mini chocolate chips. After transferring the mixture into a bowl, stir the chocolate chips by hand. Remember, unlike the no-bake chocolate chip cookies, mini chocolate chips should not be eaten raw because we added an egg.
Therefore, the final step entails baking the cookies for about ten minutes. When ready, the edges will start turning golden brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack.
If you store the cookies in an airtight container, they can last up to a week. However, if you freeze them, they can stay fresh for up to three months.
3. Vegan Cherry Chocolate Coconut Milk Chia Pudding
You need the following ingredients:
• Coconut milk (1 1/2 cups) or any other type of milk (to keep the dessert vegan, almond milk chia pudding or coconut milk chia pudding is the best)
• Chia seeds (A little more than 1/4 cup) are antioxidants and rich in calcium, iron, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Cacao powder (1/4 cup)
• Powdered monk fruit sweetener (2-3 Tablespoons)
• Cherries (1/4 cup, pitted and sliced)
• Heavy whipping cream (1/4 cup)
The process of making makes cherry chocolate coconut milk chia pudding is very simple. Gather, clean, and mix all the ingredients in a bowl or mug. Leave the ingredients for 4 to 5 hours to gel and firm up.
It is advisable to make the chia pudding overnight to allow the chia seeds enough time to gel and firm up.
4. Lemon Mini Cheesecake
Making this no-bake lemon mini cheesecake is easy and fast.
Typically, it would be best to make a crust first, then fill and mold the no-bake cheesecake.
However, you need a high-powered blender or food processor to prepare these delicacies successfully. So, how do you do it?
Start by adding coconut flour and oats to a blender or food processor. Blend the mixture for a few minutes until you form a fine white powder.
Add the remaining ingredients, i.e., vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon zest, cream cheese, and maple syrup. Continue processing until the ingredients become smooth.
Scoop the batter into a container, sprinkle the bites, and add coconut or lemon zest to taste. To harden the cheesecakes, refrigerate them for 2 to 4 hours.
5. Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
This is another no bake recipe.
Pumpkin is very nutritious, thus making it an important ingredient when making gluten-free pumpkin cookies. The no-bake gluten-free pumpkin cookies need a wet base for a start. Nut butter, maple syrup, or pumpkin puree are ideal choices. You need the following equipment:
• Bowl
• Whisk
• Spatula or rubber spoon
• Microwave
• Fork
• Storage container
Here’s the ingredient list:
- 1 cup nut butter (Almond butter is slightly healthier than peanut butter)
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
For a start, mix the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree in a bowl. Whisk the ingredients until they mix thoroughly.
If the almond butter is too thick, consider microwaving it before mixing.
The next step entails adding coconut flour and cinnamon and mixing them using a spatula or spoon.
Ensure the mixture is thick to form balls. Consider adding more flour if the dough is too thin.
Form the balls and use your hand or fork to make the balls round (shaping).
If you freeze the cookies in an airtight container, they can stay fresh for up to 3 months. Remember to thaw them before eating.
Conclusion
Although diabetic people fear desserts, that should not be the case. However, you should steer clear of desserts with high sugar and carbohydrates.
Eating healthy foods is highly recommended, especially if you have a health condition. Therefore, consider seeking professional advice and researching to determine what you should and shouldn’t eat. If you are not sure about anything, do not take risks.
Instead, consult your dietician to know if you are making a mistake.