Cook book for diabetic

@wallin Welcome to the Diabetes Group. You have asked the million dollar question. I have been a D2 since 2016, and finding foods that didn't spike my blood was then and still is the hardest part of being Diabetic. There are two books that that give advice about eating and what to check for. The first one is The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet. This gives what the different food groups do and how much of each to eat. There is a two week diet as an example. The second book is Understanding Diabetes, 11th Edition. I bought both of these and have found useful information. However, finding what works for you will be more than finding the definitive answer in a book. Have you seen a Registered Dietician? These people are trained to help you work out a menu that is tailored for you. If you live in a large enough area, sometimes a hospital will have classes for Diabetes patients to help in all areas.My endocrinologist recommended a dietician. That's probably the first place to begin. Are you seeing an endocrinologist? The dietician can set your calories and carbs, and foods based on info from the endocrinologist. Have you been recently diagnosed? Over the two+ years I have had to follow a diabetes diet, I have been able to control my numbers without medication. Are you on medication? Diabetes is a hard disease, and it's not one shoe fits all. What one person can eat with no problem, someone else cannot eat. I did a lot of research and found lists of "good and bad foods" and plan meals based on that. Do you know your numbers and your A1C? Everything makes a difference. I wish I could say this is the book with all of the menus for every day all year, but if that exists, I haven't found it. I made a card catalogue of foods with the calories and carbs and use them like a deck of cards. I choose a protein, and then veggies, and see what the total is before I add anything else. Being a D2 means doing some work for the right foods. Does any of this sound reasonable to you?
Carol

yes I'm on several meds and it doesn't seem to work very well. I also have a very high stress job which they tell me complicates the issue. Where do I get these books. My wife would like something to follow actually cook to help the issue. I believe I can get it under control with a little help. My diabetic doctor believes as well that we can control with diet

Haven't tried it, but we don't specifically diet and it's my son that has diabetes - but US News recently ranked Mediterranean diet as the easiest to follow and best for people with diabetes.

thanks

@wallin. Your local library may have these books. I purchased these books. It would be wonderful to have a cookbook that gives everything right and healthy for D2, but I haven't seen it, as I said. There are many books on the market that say they are diabetic cookbooks, but, I am not sure of their Nutrition information, so I do the research on items myself. If you type in a food like corn, for example. Ask for calories and carbs, and you will get the numbers. Then you can create a meal from what you want. There are so many foods that are not good for D2 and that drive the blood numbers up. The obvious: sweets, pasta, white bread, white rice, fast food, fried foods, and the like that are packed with calories and carbs. I control with diet, but I have to pass on all the yummy, gooey, fast foods, and sweets and pizza. Instead, I eat two greens and a non green for lunch with boneless, skinless, chicken breast. The greens could be kale, broccoli, collards, whatever you like. The non could be beets or squash. I did roasted veggies yesterday: carrots, parsnips, turnip roots, and rutabaga. For supper I added chicken stock to the roasted veggies and had soup and made a simple salad. I just have to look up the info. It's not easy. Once you get a list, then you can pick and choose. Can you try that? Or, can you see a dietician to help you fix menus?
Carol

We can try those things and thank you so much for the suggestions

@jcather The Mediterranean diet has good suggestions, but all that pasta and bread has high carbs. That's why my dietician and I can't say follow this particular diet. They all have foods that are not good for diabetics. Could you see a dietician and use the Med diet as a base and then with her help tailor it for your son?
Carol

You’re right and that’s why I say we don’t follow a particular diet. My son needs to gain weight right now. I pick and choose and we allow him anything, but at the right time. I try to balance out a meal more. So it may be more of a Glycemic Index diet. I use high calorie Keto type items when I need low carbs in the moment but his numbers are high but he needs to eat. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s a balancing act for sure.

@jcather Boy are you right about a balancing act. One day I can eat foods that keep my blood under control, and then if I eat the same thing the next day, my blood numbers can be sky high. Stress, lack of sleep, exercise, and just about everything contributes to the count. It is time-consuming and hard, but I'd rather research than take medicine. How old is your son? That, too, makes a difference in what works in the body. So complicated, but doable once you get used to it. Let me know what you decide to do and maybe your doctor can help.
Carol

He’s 9 and super skinny. And yes, what works one day doesn’t work the next. And sometimes we have pasta and I start the insulin early and go late with it. For most everyday meals I go with a seasoned grilled or sautéed protein, roasted or steamed vegetables and try to balance out a decent starch with it. However, little cups of ice cream seem almost perfect for stabilizing lows.