In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleBenefits of buying frozen foods1. Frozen fruits2. Frozen veggies3. Frozen shrimp4. Sprouted grain bread5. Cauliflower pizza crust6. Frozen veggie burgers7. Salmon
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Benefits of buying frozen foods
Frozen fruits
Frozen veggies
Frozen shrimp
Sprouted grain bread
Cauliflower pizza crust
Frozen veggie burgers
Salmon
One of the best investments I made for my kitchen was adding a second fridge/freezer combo to our garage. I cook multiple times a day, almost every day, and I needed the space. But, over time, it helped me find the benefits of stocking up on diabetes-friendly frozen food items that could work in my diet. Even if you don’t have a second freezer to stock, keeping a few of these diabetes-friendly frozen foods on hand means you’ll always have something healthy to make yourself.
Read More:Best Frozen Meals for Diabetes
And contrary to what you may think,frozen fruits and veggiesare just as healthy as fresh items. They get frozen at peak freshness, so you’re getting all the beneficial vitamins and minerals you would from fresh, but in a convenient frozen form.
So, what frozen items are a good buy, and what can you prepare with them? Here are some of our top picks for diabetes-friendly frozen foods to stock up on.
Jennifer Causey
Frozen fruits are a fantastic for easy smoothies, for topping yogurt and for making naturally-sweet desserts that won’t spike your blood sugars. Plus, you can get out-of-season ingredients anytime of the year that taste like fresh, for a great price.
Some of the best frozen fruits for diabetes include ones higher in fiber, like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, kiwi and banana. Tropical fruits, like pineapple and mango, do have more sugar per serving, so plan on pairing them with other fiber-rich ingredients (think oatmeal or bran cereal) a healthy fat (like avocado or peanut butter) or a healthy protein source (like yogurt).
Read More:The Best and Worst Fruits to Eat If You Have Diabetes
Recipes to Try:
Frozen veggies are simple to prepare and don’t require much effort or prep on your part. And having a few bags on hand means you can always include a veggie at your meals. When shopping forthe best frozen veggiesfor diabetes, go for options that are plain and aren’t in cheesy or high-sodium sauces. Try frozen sliced peppers, broccoli, green beans, spinach, cauliflower, edamame, cauliflower rice and Brussels sprouts. And don’t shy away from the starchy veggies. Frozen butternut squash, corn and peas, which happed to provide both protein and fiber, are nutritious options to have on hand.
Shrimp is a healthy source of protein, so having a bag of frozen shrimp on hand means you can quickly thaw just what you need to add some satisfying staying power to your meals in minutes. Having a healthy protein source at every meal helps to slow down digestion and in turn, the rate at which glucose hits your blood stream. The end result is better blood sugar balance for longer after meals.
Sprouted grain bread works for people with diabetes because it contains higher amounts of fiber and protein, which can help you feel fuller for longer after meals and keeps blood sugars balanced. Plus, it’s made without added sugars and less salt than other store-bought breads.
Freezing bread helps to make it last much longer than storing it in your pantry or on your counter, so pick up a loaf or two the next time you’re at the store.
Read More:I’m a Dietitian and This Is My Favorite Healthy Bread
Cauliflower is a food magician! You can make it into so many different recipes, including pizza crusts. Regular pizza crust and whole-wheat pizza crust can both be healthy options, but you often have to stick to just one slice to keep the carbs in check. Since cauliflower is low in carbohydrates and calories, it’s a great choice if you have diabetes. And you can enjoy more than just one tiny slice.
Veggie burgers freeze well, and they’re also a great, quick source of fiber, protein and plenty other nutrients. Plus, they’re low in saturated fat, which people with diabetes need to look out, as they have a higher risk of developing heart disease. When shopping for frozen veggie burgers, choose brands that have the lowest amount of sodium per serving and go for brands that sneak in extra veggies!Here are our top frozen veggie burger picks.
On a busy weeknight, a sheet pan meal is welcome! Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect your heart. Plus the healthy fats and protein helps to keep your blood sugars more stable after a meal. Salmon is also quick to thaw and cook, making it ideal for busy weeknights. You can buy pre-portioned salmon fillets or can buy a large piece of salmon at the grocery story and portion it out yourself to save even more money.
The Bottom Line
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