Spring Special: Diabetes-Friendly Seasonal Produce & Recipes!
Are you excited for spring and looking forward to fresh seasonal produce?
Read below to discover more about shopping for fruits and vegetables and integrating these foods into diabetes-friendly spring recipes!
🥬 Fresh Produce and Diabetes
If you have diabetes, it is important to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet. Making good food choices can help minimize blood sugar spikes and improve your overall total health. Spring is a great time to try new foods and adjust your eating plan!
When adding fruits to your diet, it is important to remember that fruits contain carbohydrates, and therefore, should be counted as part of your meal plan. Fruit is a great substitute for other sources of carbohydrates such as starches, grains, and dairy.
It is also important to choose non-starchy vegetables that you can include in your diet. These vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Better yet, they have fewer calories and carbohydrates! For a healthy lifestyle, try to eat at least three to five servings of vegetables each day.
🍓 Shopping for Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
With the arrival of the spring season comes a lot of colorful and tasty produce. When making your next trip to the grocery store, consider choosing fresh produce as they taste better and are more flavorful in the spring. Here are some examples of seasonal fruits and vegetables that you can find at your local supermarket:
📌 Fruits
- Apples
- Bananas
- Berries
- Peaches
- Pineapple
📌 Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Leafy greens (Spinach, Kale)
🥙 Helpful Recipes for You
Spring produce can be incorporated into a variety of meals that can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are some great recipes that you can use to incorporate more seasonal fruits and vegetables into your diet:
- Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad (Diabetes Food Hub)
- One-Pan Chicken and Asparagus Bake (EatingWell)
- Mixed Greens with Cranberries, Bacon, and Walnuts (Diabetes Food Hub)
- Grilled Pineapple Kebabs with Lemon Yogurt Sauce (Diabetic Foodie)
- Veggie Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce (Diabetes Food Hub)
- Fresh Fruit Salad (EatingWell)
Summary The spring season brings an array of vibrant colors and flavors to your local supermarket. If you have diabetes, this provides you with new opportunities to try new foods and incorporate more variety into your diet. Fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables are great spring produce items that can be added to many different meal plans. Be sure to check out the new seasonal produce at your local grocery store and don’t be afraid to try new recipes!
