Kidney Friendly Thanksgiving

In honor of National Diabetes Month, we have put together a short list of best and worst items for those with diabetes to eat. Hopefully, this will help you develop your Thanksgiving menu if you are expecting diabetic guests.

Below is a list of some of the worst choices you can serve someone with Diabetes and some better replacements.

Don’t Eat

• Processed grains, such as white rice or white flour
• Cereals with little whole grains and lots of sugar
• White bread

Eat!

• Whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, millet, or amaranth
• Baked sweet potato

Avoid

• Canned vegetables with lots of added sodium
• Veggies cooked with lots of added butter, cheese, or sauce

Indulge In

• Fresh veggies, eaten raw or lightly steamed, roasted, or grilled
• Plain frozen vegetables, lightly steamed
• Greens such as kale, spinach, and arugula.
• Low sodium or unsalted canned vegetables

Leave Off the Plate

• Canned fruit with heavy sugar syrup
• Regular jam, jelly, and preserves (unless you have a very small portion)
• Sweetened applesauce
• Fruit punch, fruit drinks, fruit juice drinks

Enjoy!

• Fresh fruit
• Plain frozen fruit or fruit canned without added sugar
• Sugar-free or low-sugar jam or preserves
• No-sugar-added applesauce

Worst Choices

• Fried or deep-fried meats or fish
• Higher-fat cuts of meat, such as ribs
• Pork bacon
• Regular cheeses
• Poultry with skin
• Beans prepared with lard

Better Choices

• Plant-based proteins, such as beans, nuts, seeds, or tofu
• Fish and seafood
• Chicken and other poultry (Choose the breast meat if possible.)
• Eggs and low-fat dairy