Contents
- 1 What Is Diabetes?
- 2 Why Smoothies For Diabetes Patients?
- 3 Different Diabetic Smoothie Recipes
- 3.1 Blueberry Smoothie
- 3.2 Strawberry Banana Protein Shake
- 3.3 Peanut Butter Banana Shake
- 3.4 Banana Oatmeal Shake
- 3.5 Orange Banana Protein Shake
- 3.6 Cherry Smoothie
- 3.7 Berry Blast Smoothie
- 3.8 Frozen Banana Smoothie
- 3.9 Pineapple Banana Shake
- 3.10 Cherry Banana Smoothie
- 3.11 Banana Peach Smoothie
- 3.12 Strawberry Smoothies
- 3.13 Banana and Blueberry Smoothie
- 3.14 Greenie Green Smoothie
- 3.15 Banana and Avocado Smoothie
- 3.16 Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
- 3.17 Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake
- 3.18 Mango Tango Smoothie
- 4 Benefits of Diabetic Smoothie Recipes
- 5 Conclusion
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose ). There are several types of diabetes. Type-I occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin. This type usually appears in children and young adults. However, it can also occur at any age due to autoimmunity or certain medications. Type two diabetes generally happens as you get older. This may happen during childhood if not controlled properly with diet and exercise. This type occurs when cells become resistant to insulin which causes an increase in blood glucose levels over time. People generally avoid taking food according to their diabetic diet. To cure this there are some Diabetic smoothie recipes that you can use.
Why Smoothies For Diabetes Patients?
Diabetic Smoothies are an amazing alternative to meals. They are delicious, nutritious and can either replace a meal or be used as a snack. These recipes use high-fiber fruits and vegetables. These will help your body maintain proper blood sugar levels while you lose weight.
The Perfect Diabetic smoothie recipes should have the following qualities:
Low in Sugar
Keep it below 15g of total carbohydrates per serving (30-minute window). If you love fruit, add some lemon juice to cut down on natural sugars found in fruit. You can also try frozen berries instead of fresh ones if possible. This is because they tend to have less natural sugar than their fresh counterparts even though they’re still packed with nutrients.
High Fiber Content
All foods contain carbs but not all of them are equal. Fiber is a carbohydrate that your body cannot digest. It doesn’t impact blood sugar levels the same way as “complex carbs” (starch). Aim for at least 20g of fiber per serving to ensure you stay full longer. It should also provide essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, C & K.
Low In Calories
Most people with diabetes tend to be overweight so you want to keep your calories low. This can not be too low since healthy fats can help reduce cravings. This will ultimately lead to weight loss. If losing weight isn’t what you’re looking for then try adding some coconut oil or avocado into these recipes. This is also great news if you love chocolate. This is because dark chocolates have been shown to offer anti-inflammatory benefits as well as help lower blood pressure.
Easy To Digest
Since many people with diabetes tend to suffer from indigestion we want our smoothies to be easy on the stomach. The best way for this is by using a low-speed blender and adding some ice cubes which will also increase your water intake and keep you hydrated throughout the day.
Different Diabetic Smoothie Recipes
These are some diabetic smoothie recipes:
Blueberry Smoothie
½ cup blueberries, ¼ cup orange juice, and a few ice cubes.
Blueberry smoothies are an excellent way for people who have diabetes to enjoy fruit in their diet. The small amount of OJ used as the liquid base will help cut down on the tartness. These are often associated with blueberries while adding just enough sweetness without sending your blood sugar soaring. And don’t forget that it’s also summertime. So if you want to make this delicious diabetic smoothie recipe even better you can add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream.
Strawberry Banana Protein Shake
12 ounces of skim milk, one banana (sliced), four strawberries (hull removed), and two scoops of vanilla protein powder.
This smoothie is great for people who want to add a little more bulk and substance to their diet. The milk will give you extra calcium, while the banana gives it potassium. This will help to regulate blood pressure levels along with an enzyme. This enzyme is called tryptase which can be found in bananas. This can help to lower high cholesterol. Strawberries are packed full of Vitamin C. So this diabetic-friendly smoothie recipe provides almost half your daily recommended amount right off the bat.
Peanut Butter Banana Shake
½ cup low fat cottage cheese, one tablespoon peanut butter, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, two tablespoons raisins (chopped), three ice cubes, and four ounces skim milk or water.
This diabetic smoothie recipe is great for people who are looking to add more protein to their diet. The cottage cheese helps give this shake a creamy texture while the peanut butter provides an excellent source of healthy fats that your body needs. These are along with other essential nutrients like niacin and Vitamin E. Not to mention that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels. This is due to its high fiber content which also makes it great at helping you feel fuller longer.
Banana Oatmeal Shake
One banana (sliced), one teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup low-fat milk or almond milk, ¼ cup rolled oats (uncooked).
This diabetic-friendly smoothie has plenty of calcium thanks to the milk used as well as some iron from the oats; which also gives it a nice dose of fiber. Bananas contain an enzyme called tryptophan which can be used by the body to create serotonin, helping reduce appetite and lift your mood at the same time!
Orange Banana Protein Shake
One banana (sliced), one orange (peeled and cut into wedges), two teaspoons vanilla extract, ¼ cup low-fat milk or almond milk, ½ cup rolled oats.
This diabetic smoothie is great for people who want to add a little more bulk and substance in their diet with the addition of some oatmeal which gives it a nice dose of fiber as well. The banana will give you extra potassium while also providing your body with tryptophan – an enzyme that can be used by the body to create serotonin – helping reduce appetite! Not only is this shake delicious but it’ll boost energy levels too thanks to iron from the oats combined with Vitamin C from oranges.
Cherry Smoothie
Frozen pitted cherries, one cup of low-fat milk, two scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Cherries are a great way to add some sweetness and flavor to this diabetic-friendly smoothie while also adding Vitamin C which helps you absorb iron from other sources that can be found in dairy products or plant-based proteins. The potassium inside cherries will help keep blood pressure levels in check so not only is it tasty but healthy too!
Berry Blast Smoothie
One banana (sliced), six strawberries (hull removed), half cup blueberries, ¼ cup raspberries, ½ teaspoon ground flaxseed (optional), and four ounces water or almond milk. You’ll get plenty of antioxidants by drinking up this diabetes-friendly drink thanks to the berries used. Strawberries are especially great at helping to prevent cancer thanks to their high antioxidant content, however, you’ll also get plenty of Vitamin K from raspberries and blueberries that not only can help lower cholesterol but is said to be good for brain health too.
Frozen Banana Smoothie
One banana (frozen), two teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ cup low-fat milk or almond milk, ¼ cup rolled oats (uncooked).
Not surprisingly this diabetic-friendly smoothie uses yet another fruit as its base – the frozen banana will give it a nice creamy texture while providing an excellent source of potassium which helps keep blood pressure levels in check. This easy shake has some other nutritional benefits too calcium coming from the dairy product and plenty of dietary fiber thanks to the oats.
Pineapple Banana Shake
One banana (sliced), one cup pineapple chunks, ½ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, and two teaspoons lime juice.
If you’re someone who enjoys a little tartness in your smoothie then this diabetic-friendly drink is for you! Pineapples contain bromelain – an enzyme that can help reduce inflammation. This means it’ll be better at helping heal any wounds or cuts as well as lower blood pressure levels too. The potassium found in bananas will also help with keeping those numbers down. They can also provide Vitamin C while strawberries give some antioxidant benefits. It is due to their high content of Vitamin C; they even add more taste! Not only does this shake sound good for you but it tastes great too thanks to the vanilla yogurt.
Cherry Banana Smoothie
One banana (sliced), one cup frozen pitted cherries, ¼ teaspoon almond extract, and ½ cup low-fat milk or almond milk.
Almond extract gives this diabetic smoothie a lot of added flavor as well as antioxidants from those cherries! You’ll be able to enjoy all their Vitamin C benefits along with plenty of dietary fiber that will help keep blood sugar levels stabilized – not to mention they’re delicious too! This is also another great choice for anyone who needs more potassium in their diet since bananas are high in it plus provide some extra magnesium which can help reduce migraines and prevent heart disease
Banana Peach Smoothie
One banana (sliced), two peaches peeled and sliced, ½ cup low-fat milk, or almond milk.
This diabetic smoothie recipe has a nice blend of flavors going on – not too sweet but just enough to make it delicious! Peaches are another good source of Vitamin C plus help reduce inflammation; you’ll also get plenty of dietary fiber from this tasty treat. The potassium found in bananas will provide that same health benefit as always while the calcium coming from dairy products is great for bone strength which can be especially helpful if someone suffers from arthritis since all these elements work together to keep bones healthy and strong.
Strawberry Smoothies
Two cups strawberries, one tablespoon honey, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional), and ½ cup low-fat milk or almond milk.
If you’re looking for a diabetic-friendly smoothie that’s also tasty then look no further! Not only does this sound good but it tastes great too thanks to the honey. This will help to elevate blood sugar levels. This is while almonds provide some extra protein needed by your muscles after a workout, not to mention they contain Vitamin E which helps keep skin healthy. The strawberries can do wonders at keeping cholesterol under control. This is because they’re another excellent source of dietary fiber. They also have plenty of antioxidants that fight free radical damage in cells. Just be sure to remove their stems before blending them up.
Banana and Blueberry Smoothie
One banana (sliced), one cup blueberries, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, two tablespoons of honey, and three cups of low-fat milk or almond milk.
Blueberries are another fantastic source of Vitamin C plus they help reduce inflammation in the body which can be helpful for anyone suffering from arthritis; this tasty treat is also full of antioxidants thanks to those berries so it’ll fight free radical damage in cells too. You might be surprised at how well bananas go together with blueberries – especially when combined with plenty of calcium coming from dairy products plus provides some extra magnesium which helps keep migraines away and prevent heart disease. This smoothie will taste great while helping your whole body stay healthy and strong.
Greenie Green Smoothie
Two cups spinach, one banana (sliced), ½ cup low-fat milk or almond milk, and two tablespoons peanut butter.
This smoothie is packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals – especially Vitamin C thanks to those bananas! The spinach also contains Vitamins A & K which will help make sure your bones stay healthy plus it’ll give you a boost of dietary fiber needed by your digestive system. This diabetic-friendly recipe is another good source for potassium too so be sure to try it out if that’s something you’re looking for as well as calcium from the dairy products used here since this ultimately works together to keep bones strong. You might not believe this but these ingredients blend up into an incredibly tasty treat that even kids should enjoy.
Banana and Avocado Smoothie
One banana (sliced), half an avocado, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, two tablespoons honey, and ½ cup low-fat milk or almond milk.
Avocados are another great source of potassium plus they contain plenty of Vitamin E that helps skin stay healthy which is always nice to see since this can help prevent wrinkles too! This diabetic-friendly smoothie is also full of fiber thanks to those bananas so be sure to drink it slowly if you want the best results for your digestive system – just don’t forget about all that calcium coming from dairy products working together with magnesium found in avocados to keep migraines away as well as reduce inflammation the body helping anyone who has arthritis.
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
Two oranges (segments removed), one banana (sliced), ½ cup low-fat milk or almond milk, and two tablespoons of honey.
This is another diabetic-friendly smoothie that tastes great with the natural sweetness of honey thanks to fruits like oranges which are full of Vitamin C! This recipe will also provide you with some extra protein needed after a workout plus calcium for strong bones; these ingredients blend up into an incredibly tasty treat that might just be your new favorite go-to when it’s hot outside on those summer days so try making this today if you want something fresh in more ways than one.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake
One banana (sliced), one tablespoon peanut butter, one teaspoon cocoa powder, two tablespoons of honey, and three cups of low-fat milk or almond milk.
This smoothie is another fantastic source of potassium. It’ll give you a boost in protein too. This is especially if you’re looking to build muscle mass. This diabetic-friendly recipe also contains plenty of Vitamin. This will keep your immune system strong. This is so you can fight off colds easily while the calcium from dairy products here works together with magnesium found in bananas & peanut butter. These can prevent migraines as well as reduce inflammation. It is throughout the body helping anyone who has arthritis stay healthy.
Mango Tango Smoothie
One mango (peeled and chopped), one nectarine (pitted and peeled), half a banana (sliced) one tablespoon honey, and two cups of low-fat milk or almond milk.
This diabetic smoothie recipes is another good source of potassium. It also contains plenty of Vitamin C. This helps to strengthen the immune system so you can fight off colds easily. This recipe also provides a boost in protein thanks to those bananas while calcium from dairy products works together with magnesium found in this mango & nectarine combo blend up into an incredibly tasty treat that everyone will love especially since it’s packed with antioxidants too which can keep your skin glowing even on days when you don’t feel like leaving the house yet still want to look fresh.
Benefits of Diabetic Smoothie Recipes
These are some benefits of the Diabetic Smoothie Recipes :
- helps to control blood sugar levels
- controls weight
- boosts immunity
- relieves hunger pangs
- stabilizes blood sugar levels
- manages the daily food intake
- reduces carbohydrate intake
- controls cholesterol levels
- regulates insulin production in diabetic patients.
Conclusion
These are just some examples of delicious diabetic-friendly smoothie recipes you can try at home today. Remember to always consult your doctor before making any dietary changes. This is especially true if you’re diabetic or pregnant. Otherwise, these should be fairly easy to follow even for those who aren’t used to cooking too much. Don’t worry about the sugar content. These are either fruits that contain other kinds. These don’t have an adverse effect on blood sugar levels. That is why you can feel free to enjoy them without worrying too much.
I hope this article has helped you find some diabetic smoothie recipes that are perfect for your lifestyle. Diabetics may have to adjust their diet plans, but they don’t need to give up delicious food. You can still enjoy all of the wonderful flavors and textures without compromising on health. Give these recipes a try if you’re looking for new ways to eat well as a diabetic.
If you are facing diabetes-related issues, MantraCare is here to help. Book your free trial online diabetes consultation session now to connect with a specialist diabetologist.