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Photo: Ali Redmond
If you have diabetes, it’s only natural to wonder what foods are the best fit for you, even when it comes to vegetables. All veggies—from cabbage, carrots and mushrooms to higher-carb options like sweet potatoes and potatoes—are healthy,fiber-rich choicesthat are great picks for folks living with diabetes. The fiber in vegetables helps slow down digestion, which helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer after a meal and to keep your blood sugar levels stable. These veggie side recipes feature not only fiber-rich veggies but also heart-healthy fats and protein for well-rounded,diabetes-friendly dishes. Easy, highly rated recipes like our Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini or our Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage are delicious sides you can make in under 30 minutes.Related:Can People With Diabetes Eat Potatoes?
If you have diabetes, it’s only natural to wonder what foods are the best fit for you, even when it comes to vegetables. All veggies—from cabbage, carrots and mushrooms to higher-carb options like sweet potatoes and potatoes—are healthy,fiber-rich choicesthat are great picks for folks living with diabetes. The fiber in vegetables helps slow down digestion, which helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer after a meal and to keep your blood sugar levels stable. These veggie side recipes feature not only fiber-rich veggies but also heart-healthy fats and protein for well-rounded,diabetes-friendly dishes. Easy, highly rated recipes like our Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini or our Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage are delicious sides you can make in under 30 minutes.
Related:Can People With Diabetes Eat Potatoes?
01of 16Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh HoggleYou can have this veggie side on the table in just 15 minutes. Cooked in heart-healthy olive oil and seasoned with lemon, garlic and a touch of crushed pepper, it goes with everything from roast turkey to steak. Not to mention, you can apply this cooking technique to almost any vegetable—just adjust cooking time accordingly.View Recipe
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Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini Recipe
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
You can have this veggie side on the table in just 15 minutes. Cooked in heart-healthy olive oil and seasoned with lemon, garlic and a touch of crushed pepper, it goes with everything from roast turkey to steak. Not to mention, you can apply this cooking technique to almost any vegetable—just adjust cooking time accordingly.
View Recipe
02of 16Roasted Garlic-Parmesan CabbageAli RedmondRoasting cabbage brings out its natural sweetness, and a sprinkle of garlic and Parmesan adds a savory element without being overly salty. Plus, this cruciferous vegetable offers anti-inflammatory benefits and gut-healthy fiber.View Recipe
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Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage
Ali Redmond
Roasting cabbage brings out its natural sweetness, and a sprinkle of garlic and Parmesan adds a savory element without being overly salty. Plus, this cruciferous vegetable offers anti-inflammatory benefits and gut-healthy fiber.
03of 16Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & ParmesanBrie PassanoBefore roasting these broccoli florets, they’re flattened to increase their surface area which helps get them nice and crispy. A drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving adds tangy sweetness without added sugar.View Recipe
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Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan
Brie Passano
Before roasting these broccoli florets, they’re flattened to increase their surface area which helps get them nice and crispy. A drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving adds tangy sweetness without added sugar.
04of 16Crispy Oven-Roasted Potatoes RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth BlackburnThese oven-roasted potatoes are roasted, then broiled for quick, evenly browned potatoes that remain tender and fluffy on the inside. Since they’re flavored with whole-grain mustard, onion powder, garlic powder and fresh dill, you only need to use a little salt to finish off this simple side. Potatoes deliver fiber, vitamin C and potassium—potent nutrients that can help decrease inflammation in the body.View Recipe
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Crispy Oven-Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
These oven-roasted potatoes are roasted, then broiled for quick, evenly browned potatoes that remain tender and fluffy on the inside. Since they’re flavored with whole-grain mustard, onion powder, garlic powder and fresh dill, you only need to use a little salt to finish off this simple side. Potatoes deliver fiber, vitamin C and potassium—potent nutrients that can help decrease inflammation in the body.
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Vegan Green Bean Casserole
06of 16Sautéed Mushrooms with Balsamic & ParmesanTender cremini mushrooms soak up the tart-sweet flavor of balsamic vinegar, while nutty Parmesan cheese adds a savory note. This easy technique works well with other mushrooms too, like oyster mushrooms or shiitakes, so feel free to mix it up. Ready in just 15 minutes, it doesn’t get easier than this simple sautéed mushroom side.View Recipe
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Sautéed Mushrooms with Balsamic & Parmesan
Tender cremini mushrooms soak up the tart-sweet flavor of balsamic vinegar, while nutty Parmesan cheese adds a savory note. This easy technique works well with other mushrooms too, like oyster mushrooms or shiitakes, so feel free to mix it up. Ready in just 15 minutes, it doesn’t get easier than this simple sautéed mushroom side.
07of 16Balsamic Oven-Roasted CarrotsGrab a rainbow of carrots and roast them with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze to enhance their natural sweetness. Not only do these carrots make a mouthwatering side to pair with any protein, but they’re also rich incarotenoids, a type of vitamin A that can help the body fight inflammation and improve heart health.View Recipe
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Balsamic Oven-Roasted Carrots
Grab a rainbow of carrots and roast them with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze to enhance their natural sweetness. Not only do these carrots make a mouthwatering side to pair with any protein, but they’re also rich incarotenoids, a type of vitamin A that can help the body fight inflammation and improve heart health.
08of 16Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette, Red Onion & AvocadoJillian AtkinsonHere we pair fiber-rich spinach with antioxidant-rich avocado and onion for a crowd-pleasing salad everyone will ask for more of. A judicious amount of bacon in the warm vinaigrette adds a savory note, without the need for added salt.View Recipe
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Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette, Red Onion & Avocado
Jillian Atkinson
Here we pair fiber-rich spinach with antioxidant-rich avocado and onion for a crowd-pleasing salad everyone will ask for more of. A judicious amount of bacon in the warm vinaigrette adds a savory note, without the need for added salt.
09of 16Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole RecipeDiana ChistrugaIf you’re trying to reduce your added sugar intake but think Thanksgiving isn’t complete without sweet potato casserole, this recipe is for you. Here we’ve leaned into the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes (and added just a touch of sugar to the mash), then topped the casserole with a modest amount of mini marshmallows. A sprinkle of pecans adds crunch.View Recipe
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Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Diana Chistruga
If you’re trying to reduce your added sugar intake but think Thanksgiving isn’t complete without sweet potato casserole, this recipe is for you. Here we’ve leaned into the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes (and added just a touch of sugar to the mash), then topped the casserole with a modest amount of mini marshmallows. A sprinkle of pecans adds crunch.
10of 16Quick & Easy Green Beans RecipeJennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey LowerPreparing green beans doesn’t get any easier than this. Just one pan and some salt, pepper and oil help you get this simple side on the table in minutes. Plus, green beans are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, like vitamin C and beta carotene.View Recipe
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Quick & Easy Green Beans Recipe
Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Preparing green beans doesn’t get any easier than this. Just one pan and some salt, pepper and oil help you get this simple side on the table in minutes. Plus, green beans are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, like vitamin C and beta carotene.
11of 16Spicy Black-Eyed Pea & Collard Green SaladPhotographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly DreesmanHarissa, peri-peri sauce and preserved lemon combine in a super-flavorful and tangy dressing for this fiber-packed salad. Though you can enjoy this mix as a vegetarian main, you can also serve it as a showstopping side dish that pairs deliciously with ham or roast chicken.View Recipe
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Spicy Black-Eyed Pea & Collard Green Salad
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman
Harissa, peri-peri sauce and preserved lemon combine in a super-flavorful and tangy dressing for this fiber-packed salad. Though you can enjoy this mix as a vegetarian main, you can also serve it as a showstopping side dish that pairs deliciously with ham or roast chicken.
12of 16Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic & ShallotsJen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey DavisSautéed with bacon, shallots and garlic, these Brussels sprouts are simply delicious. Brussels sprouts are not only rich in fiber but also are packed with anti-inflammatory properties. Not to mention, this dish is on the table in just 15 minutes.View Recipe
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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic & Shallots
Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Sautéed with bacon, shallots and garlic, these Brussels sprouts are simply delicious. Brussels sprouts are not only rich in fiber but also are packed with anti-inflammatory properties. Not to mention, this dish is on the table in just 15 minutes.
13of 16Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad RecipeIain Bagwell Styling: Heather Chadduck HillegasTypical broccoli salads can seem more about the creamy dressing and bacon than the broccoli itself. Mixing Greek yogurt with mayonnaise to make the dressing and using a reasonable amount of bacon all help to keep the saturated fat in check while letting the broccoli shine. The best part of this salad? It tastes even better if you make it ahead and allow the flavors some time to meld together.View Recipe
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Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad Recipe
Iain Bagwell Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Typical broccoli salads can seem more about the creamy dressing and bacon than the broccoli itself. Mixing Greek yogurt with mayonnaise to make the dressing and using a reasonable amount of bacon all help to keep the saturated fat in check while letting the broccoli shine. The best part of this salad? It tastes even better if you make it ahead and allow the flavors some time to meld together.
14of 16Air-Fryer Beets with FetaJacob FoxNaturally sweet and with a slightly earthy flavor, beets pair perfectly with tangy feta in this high-fiber side. The antioxidant properties that givebeetstheir vibrant color may also help reduce your LDL cholesterol—an important consideration when you’re managing diabetes.View Recipe
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Air-Fryer Beets with Feta
Jacob Fox
Naturally sweet and with a slightly earthy flavor, beets pair perfectly with tangy feta in this high-fiber side. The antioxidant properties that givebeetstheir vibrant color may also help reduce your LDL cholesterol—an important consideration when you’re managing diabetes.
15of 16Arugula & Fennel Salad with Lemon VinaigretteVictor ProtasioThis simple salad features peppery arugula, crunchy fennel and just enough shaved Parmesan to be flavorful. A generous drizzle of olive oil helps you absorb arugula’svitamin K—a fat-soluble nutrient that can protect your heart. This quick-to-prepare dish is sure to become a staple.View Recipe
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Arugula & Fennel Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Victor Protasio
This simple salad features peppery arugula, crunchy fennel and just enough shaved Parmesan to be flavorful. A generous drizzle of olive oil helps you absorb arugula’svitamin K—a fat-soluble nutrient that can protect your heart. This quick-to-prepare dish is sure to become a staple.
16of 16Creamy Mashed CauliflowerSome might view this creamy cauliflower mash as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, but we just think it’s a delicious way to eat one of our favorite veggies. Made with a touch of butter and a good splash of buttermilk, it’s a welcome addition to any meal. Added bonus: It has twice the fiber per serving of mashed potatoes.View Recipe
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Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
Some might view this creamy cauliflower mash as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, but we just think it’s a delicious way to eat one of our favorite veggies. Made with a touch of butter and a good splash of buttermilk, it’s a welcome addition to any meal. Added bonus: It has twice the fiber per serving of mashed potatoes.
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