Diabetic-Diet Books

I am a male who has never cooked until a few years ago. The book has easy to follow uncomplicated recipes with easy to find ingredients. My first try was a cookie that tasted like cardboard but others were just fine.

As a recently diagnosed diabetic I thought that my days of wonderful desserts were over! Then a friend found The Type 2 Diabetes Desserts Cookbook at our local library and brought it to me to read. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ms. Sonerals diabetic experiences as she writes about being a diabetic with an up-beat point of view. The book, not only has recipes for delicious sounding desserts, but also useful cooking hints and information. As a confirmed 'sweet-a-holic', I must say that after reading this book, my outlook for dealing with the diabetes is definitely brighter! Thank you, Lois Soneral. ...

I am really impressed with this book. It gives a lot of good information. I especially liked the section that covers different types of sugar substitutes. The recipes are easy to follow and use simple, common ingredients.

I found this cookbook at a discount store! I have loads of low carb cookbooks because I need to cut carb to keep my fibromyalgia and the pain level under control.
I liked the information in the front of the book,it is accurate and very compehensive. It is the only cookbook that I have tried that has really tasty low carb soups. The recipes use herbs and spices liberally for punches of flavor. Sometimes low carbers can loose interest in this type of eating plan....but the recipes in this book make food seem interesting and tasty. The salads are really nice. I tried the chicken and shrimp soup, very good and only few carbs a serving. If you are looking for an easy cookbook with good recipes, this is worth the money if you can find this title.

This is a very helpful book for anyone trying to follow a low carb diet.The only negative aspect of the book is the choice of the printers to accentuate aspect of the recipies in an almost unreadable ink color.In all other fashions this book is an inexpensive guide to low carb cooking.

These simple but delicious recipes make the life of the food allergy sufferer much easier. They are easy to make, and the contents are readily available even in the smallest grocery stores. There is no need to ever feel hungry or deprived again. This book has a wealth of dietary advice which I have found invaluable.

I particularly liked the beginning section that had information about food allergies. Very comprehensive and easy to understand. However, I've got multiple food sensitivities and could use only about 20% of recipes.

This book gives comprehensive dietary and nutrition information to empower readers. Because diet and lifestyle factors are the primary causes of Type 2 diabetes, most Type 2's can control their diabetes completely. This is good news because the health problems that can occur as a result of untreated diabetes include blindness, early heart disease, and amputation of body parts. With over half of those with Type 2 not knowing they have it, following the suggestions in the book makes sense whether you have diabetes or not.
The authors explain ways to catch diabetes and pre-diabetes (the precursor to diabetes). They explain insulin resistance and point out that although being overweight puts one at high risk for diabetes, one can be thin and have insulin problems due to "metabolic obesity," which is explained further in the book.
Blood-sugar levels and factors affecting them are clearly explained. The myth that simple sugars are bad and complex carbohydrates are not is dispelled. "This is not only a gross oversimplification; it is inaccurate. Simple carbohydrates are found in highly refined, nutrient-depleted foods like table sugar, but they are also found in highly nutritious whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Complex carbohydrates are found in heavily processed foods like white bread and pastries, but are also present in nutrient-dense foods such as wheat berries and beans."
Knowing glycemic indexes is important, but understanding how other foods affect blood-sugar control (like fats) is also important. Factors such as the following are considered: the number of grams of carbohydrate present; the type of sugar (glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose); the amount and type of fiber present; the kind of the starch (amylose versus amylopectin); the form of the food (cooked, raw, dry, liquefied, paste, ground, or otherwise processed); and the presence of other components in the food or in foods eaten with the carbohydrate-rich food.
The authors offer a two-step process for dietary reform. "Step 1 - Take out the trash" and "Step 2 - Pile on the protectors." Trans fatty acids are an example of an item on the trash list. In a recent Nurses Health Study, replacing 2 % of calories from trans fatty acids with polyunsaturated fat reduced the risk for type 2 diabetes by 40%.
The authors pinpoint many health-promoting foods. For example, many whole plant foods contain phytochemicals and antioxidants, and blueberries are "one of the most protective foods on the planet." Their ability to quench free radicals from the body was found to be the highest, often 5 times higher than most other vegetables and fruits. Other protectors in food such as fiber, plant protein, and certain fats are given thorough treatments as well.
Another section of the book includes "Healthy Weight for Life." "Obesity . . .elevates your risk of most of the chronic degenerative diseases plaguing the Western world. The strength of this link cannot be ignored." The problems with high-protein diets are addressed, but you might be surprised to know that the problems with very-low-fat, high-fiber diets are addressed, as well. For example, the authors state that the very low fat diets often allow for too many refined carbohydrates, and this can be a problem. Another problem with too little fat in your diet will reduce the absorption of certain nutrients, and important foods like nuts and seeds, which are good sources of trace minerals and Vitamin E, may be overlooked. Seven steps to achieving a life-long healthy weight are given.
Two popular tools for diabetics - exchange lists and carbohydrate counters - are explained and reviewed. Both systems have their problems. For example, neither "adequately distinguishes among different forms of carbohydrate. Both systems favor animal over plant protein sources. . . . Neither system fully recognizes the huge variations in health effects of different types of fat." Practical information is given about understanding the glycemic index of foods, and sample menus (a week of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) and suggested servings that ensure nutritional adequacy without excessive calories are included. This is especially helpful to diabetics who may be transitioning to the type of diet recommended in this book.
Many people still think of diabetes simply as a sugar problem. Though this is an important issue, there are many other issues, including fat, fiber and micronutrients of which one should be aware. "Making Sense of Sweets" gives information on both nutritive (those with calories) and nonnutritive (no significant calories) sweeteners. There are clear tables for each category including any cautions one should know.
Additional sections of the book include the following:
"Defensive Dining" includes advice for how to handle eating out.
"Survival of the Fittest" addresses the need for exercise and other fitness needs. "It appears we can live longer simply by living well. What is more, it is not only the length of our lives that improves with fitness, but the quality of living." All facets of fitness are addressed including aerobics, weight training, flexibility, even emotional fitness and sleeping, and more.
"Self Care: A Daily Maintenance Routine" deals with how we need to take care of ourselves on a daily basis and includes a checklist for our daily assessments of ourselves.
"When Diet and Exercise Are Not Enough" deals with the different medications available to help control diabetes. In addition to prescription medications, the authors investigate vitamins, minerals, herbals, and botanicals.
Finally, "Kitchen Wizardry . . . Tricks of the Trade," helps people to understand what to buy when grocery shopping. It includes an extensive shopping list, suggestions for where to shop, information on reading food labels, and food storage guidelines. The book finishes with a delightful recipe selection to jump-start you on the road to good health and diabetes management.
Overall, the book is well documented with selected references appearing at the ends of each chapter. Defeating Diabetes is a practical, easy-to-read, well-thought-out guide to healthy living and diabetes management. The basics of the health issues that are used to defeat diabetes are sound advice for maintaining good health whether you have diabetes or not.

Most of the book reasonably covers the disease and associated problems. The problem is that the authors advocate the mostly carbohydrate diet which may not work well if you have Type II diabetes with obesity and insulin resistance. If you have Type II diabetes and you are obese, you most likely have "thrifty genes" so large amounts of carbohydrates do not make any sense to me to either control blood glucose or loose weight. If you have the apple shape you may want to consider other dietary options. I suggest that you use your meter or at least your HB1AC readings to determine what is right for you. If carbs make you numbers go high, then carbs may not be for you.

I actually bought this cookbook when my mother was diagnosed with diabetes, intending to give it to her. I made the mistake of flipping through it, and I just had to try a recipe or two myself! Boy am I glad I did, this is an excellent cookbook. I'm a total junk food freak, and loved the few recipes that I tried. However, I still gave the book to my mother... and now I'm thinking I should get me another copy!!

The recipes in this cookbook are easy to follow and well laid out. Mouth-watering pictures inspire you to try the healthy, intriguing recipes. I appreciate the time estimates for those rush-hour meals as well as the make ahead recipes. My only complaint is that some of the results taste like "diet food"--a bit bland.

This is a good book for diabetic recipes that use fresh, local ingredients and are more sophistacated than the usual grilled chicken breast fare you find in mnay diabetic books. I love the focus on fresh ingredients and seasonal menus.

Just because diabetics must be careful of their diet doesn't mean they have to forego gourmet level qualities of taste, presentation, and elegance when dining at home. Chef Chris Smith has compiled a volume of outstanding recipes to grace any diabetic's meal plan in "The Diabetic Chef's Year-Round Cookbook", published by the American Diabetes Association. For the novice kitchen cook seeking to prepare 'diabetic friendly' dishes there are pragmatic tips and techniques that can accentuate the inherent tastes of healthy ingredients, advice on stocking one's kitchen to prepare such meals, tips on selecting the right kinds of ingredients or cooking foods at correct temperatures, and even how to use template cooking to make changes to one's favorite recipes. Broken down monthly throughout the spectrum of one year, each recipe showcased in "The Diabetic Chef's Year-Round Cookbook" is adjusted to the ingredients of that particular season. Enhanced with the inclusion of a sidebar identifying Exchanges/Choices and Basic Nutritional Values, the recipes include Turkey Gravy; Zucchini and Mushroom Frittatas; Baked Salmon with Mango Vinaigrette; Extra-Thick Lemon Yogurt; Roasted Corn and Red Pepper Salsa; Sweet Vadalia Onion Tart, Grilled Skirt Steak; and Tossed Mixed Greens with Grilled Chicken and Goat Cheese. A solid compendium of easy-to-prepare quality dishes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

Two members of my immediate family are unable to eat any sugar or honey. I'm not big on the idea of using artificial sweeteners, so this book is a god-send. Barkie uses all natural fruit and juices for sweetening the recipes in this book. Thanks to this book, I'm finally able to re-introduce desserts into our family menus. Seeing my child's face light up when I bake cookies is a joy I'd been without for a long, long time.

A good reference & recipe book for anyone trying to manage the sugar (sucrose) in their diet. Like the first book, Sweet & Sugar free, this uses concentrated fruit and fruit juices to sweeten the listed desserts. Beware! This is not a low fat recipe book. It's worth combining low fat substitutions in with these fillings and ideas. For anyone baking for a diabetic who tolerates fructose well, this book is great for holidays and dinner parties. It not only gives elegant recipes to use, but also inspires great ideas to modify favorites. Listed areas & pages include: Cakes 1-15 Custards,Puddings, & Compotes 16-23, Fancy Cookies and Turnovers 24-30, Frozen Desserts 31-38, Gelatin Desserts 47-58, Pastries 59-67, Pies 68-76, Quiches & Kuchens 77-82, Tarts 83-89, Tortes 90-95, Warm desserts 96-101, Toppings 102-113.

The appendixes at the back of this book give wonderful information & tips for helpful pans, techniques, holiday information, ingredent use, fruit choices and use, and special dietary reqiurement substitutions. It ranks fruit by sugar content, and includes two beautiful measurement & equivalent pages. I have used this book for holidays for a number of years in a diabetic family and found the included ideas brillant! This is wonderful for holidays or events where a great presentation is necessary with an acceptable sugar level. For instance the Gelatin Dessert section uplifts Gelatin to an elegant adult level with recipes such as Blueberry Bavarian, Orange-Pineapple Charlotte, and Eight-layer Strawberry Cake. Yum!! Purchase the first book, Sweet & Sugarfree, for a more casual collection with the same direction.

Some of the diet and diabetes books I've been getting lately are pretty bland and boring with just a few recipes in each category. This book has many options to help us eat healthfully at home, while satisfying some of our eating out cravings. Last night I made the Chicken Vindaloo and Curried Eggplant and Lentils because my husband has been craving Indian food. Tonight I'm making the Thai Basil Chicken. Over 3 dozen soups! I love how it has a Recipe Index in addition to a regular index, and menu suggestions for creating complete meals. Finally a diabetes cookbook that I'm going back to over and over again.

The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because they need to put out an updated version. This was printed in 1993. I bought it used for less than $7 w/shipping. But with Whole Foods and Trader Joe's making whole grain products more available to the average shopper, it would be nice to see whole wheat and other whole grain flours incorporated in the recipes, rather than white flour. And, for example, hulled barley recommended over pearled in a soup recipe (that has plenty of simmer time anyway (to allow for the longer cooking time of the whole grain product)).

Also, in the next edition, they need to standardize their measurements. For example, in one recipe the chicken breast quantity was described as "2 whole skinless and boneless chicken breasts 1/2 pound each, halved" and in another as "1 pound skinless and boneless chicken breasts" - both recipes make 4 servings with the same protein grams in the nutritional info, so I assume both recipes call for 1 pound chicken breasts, but that could be made clearer.

However, for expanding your options beyond the quick, easy, boring or bland, I highly recommend the Joslin Diabetes Gourmet Cookbook

I have not reviewed other cookbooks for diabetics as a caveat. My purpose in reviewing this book was to see if it would be suitable for a friend who is a gourmet cook and reluctant to be relegated to boring food 'just for the sake of her diabetic care'. There are a wide variety of exciting gourmet recipes sure to please the palate. Each recipe also contains complete nutrition information with which to fit these meals into the Joslin exchange program. I recommend the book to every diabetic wishing to put some pzazz into their meal plan.

Being a diabetic and having a younger husband; this book was very informative for us both.

Thank you.

Very good resource. My wife is diabetic and I thought the book could help improve our love life. My wife is also a Diatician and Diabetes Educator so a lot of the info was already known. But I would recommend this book as an excellent initial resource diabetics need help with their love life

Most diabetes books only include a chapter on changed sex concerns, but diabetes complicates and strains relationships, posing new issues and problems. This book addresses all the issues, providing tips ranging from how to talk to a doctor about sexual complications of diabetes and drug treatments to control it to common physical and emotional complications for both men and women. From how losing weight and exercising affects sexuality to using music, movies, and even romantic foods to set new paths for intimacy, SEX AND DIABETES is an important acquisition for any health library or general-interest collection.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This was a gift for my daughter and every recipe she has tried so far has been very tasteful. So good in fact am requesting a copy for myself from Santa!

Great time saving cookbook for those who are on the run. Real easy recipes that are easy to prepare and taste wonderful. Great for bariatric patients, diabetics and anyone who needs to watch their carbs.

This book was given to me as a gift from someone who knew I was on the South Beach diet (generally classified as "low carb"). I probably wouldn't have purchased it myself, but I did find a number of easy, delicious recipes that were worth the effort. The pros: This book is directed more towards the Atkins diet than South Beach. The fat content is pretty high for South Beachers. The book is nicely organized and the writer gives estimated prep times, which is helpful. Another nice addition was some egg recipes, some of which I tried and was pleasantly surprised with. The CONS: The high fat content. Many of these can be modified by using reduced fat products very easily, so don't let that alone deter you. Also, there really aren't a lot of pictures, which would have been nice. Finally, some of the recipes require a great deal of preparation before and after slow-cooking, which sort of defeats the purpose of this time-saving device.
Overall, I felt that it was a good balance. There were several take-aways here which I have used repeatedly. If you are an Atkins fan who doesn't love to cook, I recommend it very highly.

I absolutely love this cookbook. The recipes are not the same old add some meat and cream of mushroom soup and cook for 6 hours. There are many recipes with bold flavors including Thai, Asian, Indian and Mexican inspirations.

I'm newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic and checked this out of library, hoping to find healthy recipes. Excitingly, this book contains recipes that are simple and inexpensive; and has made this scary time in my life so much better. These are everyday, not exotic-type, recipes. My husband has been very happy with our meals, and I was happy to find this book to buy.