Hi my diabesties!
Today, let’s talk about something that’s close to my heart (and my taste buds): salad dressings!
As someone living with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, I know how crucial it is to keep those blood sugar levels steady while still enjoying delicious meals.
While salad dressings often add a lot of flavor, they can sometimes add additional saturated fat and extra carbohydrates to your meal.
And let’s be forreal – we know that’s what makes salads taste so freaking good, but we also need to be conscious of our blood sugar balance.
This blog will walk you through choosing a blood sugar-friendly dressing for your next salad, and even how to make your own.
What to look for in the ingredients list:
When you’re scanning the shelves for the perfect dressing, let’s make sure we’re checking those labels with a keen eye. Here’s what I recommend:
- Low Carbohydrate Content: Seek out dressings with minimal added sugars. Watch out for ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup or excessive sugar. Those will automatically add carbohydrates to your dressing.
- Healthy Fats: Embrace those healthy fats, like olive oil or avocado oil. They not only add depth to your dressing but can also help slow down carb absorption, keeping your blood sugar in check. Vegetable oils also have a lower saturated fat content, which is a positive for people with diabetes.
- Protein Power: Look for dressings with a little protein punch. Whether it’s Greek yogurt or tahini-based, a bit of protein can help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
- Minimal Additives: Let’s keep it real with natural ingredients. Avoid dressings packed with artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Keep it simple!
- Portion Patrol: Even with low-carb options, remember that portion control is key. Let’s savor our salads without going overboard.
What’s the difference in a fat-free vs. full-fat dressing?
Now, let’s chat about the great fat debate. It’s tempting to reach for those fat-free dressings, but hold up! Here’s the scoop:
While fat-free might seem like the healthier choice, fat-free dressings often often compensate with extra sugar or additives to boost flavor. And guess what? Fat plays a vital role in keeping us satisfied and can help manage those blood sugar spikes.
On the flip side, full-fat dressings with healthy fats like olive oil? They’re like little flavor bombs packed with goodness. They can help with vitamin absorption and keep our salads singing with flavor.
Crafting your own salad dressing creations at home:
Feeling adventurous? Let’s dive into the wonderful world of homemade dressings. Here are a few recipes to get those creative juices flowing:
- Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette: Mix up fresh 1 part lemon juice, 3 parts extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, 1 part Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper for a tangy delight.
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Bliss: Combine 3 parts plain Greek yogurt with fresh dill, minced garlic, onion powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a creamy dream.
- Creamy Avocado Lime Lovin’: Blend ripe avocado, 1 part fresh lime juice, cilantro, plain 3 parts Greek yogurt, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for a smooth sensation.
By whipping up your own dressings, you can tailor the flavors to suit your taste buds while keeping those carbs in check.
Diabetes-Friendly Store-Bought Options:
For those busy days when DIY isn’t an option, fear not! There are plenty of diabetes-friendly dressings waiting for you on the shelves. Check out these brands:
- Walden Farms: Dive into their calorie-free, sugar-free dressings for guilt-free flavor explosions.
- Primal Kitchen: They’re all about high-quality ingredients like avocado oil, minus the added sugars and artificial stuff.
- Bolthouse Farms: Explore their range of yogurt-based dressings, lower in calories and carbs but still bursting with flavor.
- Ken’s Steak House Lite Dressings: Light on the calories and carbs, heavy on the yum factor. Perfect for our diabetic meal plans. Plus, you’ll find 60 flavors. there is certainly something for everyone!
- Mr. Spice: I loved their sauces in my beef and broccoli recipe! Their commitment to low sodium sauces is wonderful for people living with diabetes and watching our sodium intake.
Remember to always check those labels for carb content, low saturated fat, and serving sizes to keep things in balance.
To Sum It Up
In closing, my friends, dressings can be the unsung heroes of our salad adventures.
With a little label-reading know-how and some kitchen creativity, we can whip up salads that not only taste amazing but also support our diabetes management goals. Here’s to deliciously healthy eating!
Blood sugar-friendly salad recipes you want in your bowl
- Chopped Kale Salad Recipe
- Strawberry Watermelon mint salad with citrus yogurt dressing
- Greek-Style Salad with Baked Salmon
- 10 Diabetes-friendly Salads You Have to Make this Season
- Kale Caprese Salad
- How the power of microgreens can help people with diabetes achieve healthy blood sugar
- Diabetes-Friendly Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe
- Wedge Salad
