Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Salad Dressings (Recipes & Products) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best salad dressing for a diabetic to use? ›

Balsamic Vinaigrette

According to The Cleveland Clinic, olive oil and vinegar may provide substantial health benefits for those with diabetes. Combine three parts olive oil with one-part balsamic vinegar in a jar.

Generally speaking, the healthiest salad dressing will be a vinaigrette like balsamic or oil and vinegar, while Caesar, ranch or anything with the word “creamy” will be the unhealthiest. The exception? We like products made with healthy swaps—think Greek yogurt in place of mayo or heavy cream.

Watch out for super-creamy dressings such as ranch and bleu cheese — the ADA lists these as foods to avoid — and limit your intake of low-fat creamy dressings, such as light ranch, to occasional treats.

Diabetes Management

Balsamic is one of several types of vinegar thought to limit spikes in blood glucose levels. One study suggests that, if taken in moderation prior to eating, vinegar can help people with type 2 diabetes better manage their blood sugar.

Yes, a person with diabetes can eat mayonnaise. Mayonnaise has less than a single gram of carbohydrates per tablespoon. But with 10 grams of total fat (1.6 grams of that coming from saturated fat) it can be considered high fat. So you may want to limit the amount of mayonnaise you eat or find an alternative.

Olive Oil and Vinegar

Most olive oil-and-vinegar dressings have zero net carbs, which is why they're recommended for followers of the keto diet.

Eating more veggies has many health benefits for people with diabetes, and there is no better way to eat more veggies than with a clean green salad! Salads can be a great side dish or starter to a meal, but with the right components they can also take center stage and be a diabetes-friendly meal on their own.

The salad is considered healthy and nutritious, with fibre (lettuce), protein (chicken), and carbs (dressing and croutons) altogether. Even though caesar salad with chicken is a balanced dish, it can still impact your glucose metabolism. Control the portion of croutons as they are high in carbohydrates.

What kind of granola can diabetics eat? ›

It's possible to eat granola on a diabetic diet, but it's important to choose the healthiest granola brand possible. Choose granolas that are whole-grain, less processed, and don't contain added sugars. Instead, look for ones that are sweetened with alternatives like natural fruit, fruit juice or date powder.

Choose dressings made with avocado oil, olive oil or vegetable oils like canola, sunflower and safflower. But stay away from dressing that's high in saturated fat, which can lead to inflammation and chronic illness, possibly making your diabetes harder to control.

Eating more veggies has many health benefits for people with diabetes, and there is no better way to eat more veggies than with a clean green salad! Salads can be a great side dish or starter to a meal, but with the right components they can also take center stage and be a diabetes-friendly meal on their own.

“These include hot sauce, yellow mustard, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salsa, coconut aminos, tartar sauce, horseradish, as well as other options like low-fat Greek yogurt, avocado, pesto, chimichurri sauce, vinegar, lemon or lime juice,” she says. But make sure you check the label, she cautions.

This dressing appears healthy at first glance with its versatile use in many different types of dishes. However, Italian dressing is oftentimes just as high in sugar and fat as other types like honey mustard or French.

While more research is necessary, some evidence suggests ginger may help manage blood sugar levels. As such, people with diabetes can safely consume ginger as part of a healthy eating plan. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder.