Your Diabetic-Friendly Meal Plan for April
Updated: Feb. 22, 2021The month of April means a return to fresh flavors in these diabetic-friendly dinners.
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Day 1: Chicken and Broccoli with Dill Sauce
I've had this chicken and broccoli recipe for so many years, I don't remember when I first made it. Serve it with a side of couscous or rice for a complete meal, or add some sliced mushrooms or carrots for extra veggies. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
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Day 2: Rosemary Salmon and Veggies
My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
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Day 3: Sauteed Pork Chops with Garlic Spinach
My family enjoys cooking easy and delicious meals. This pork chop recipe is also inexpensive, which makes cooking easier for everyone. Keep an eye on the spinach—it cooks fast! —Joe Valerio, Whitinsville, Massachusetts
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Day 4: Hoisin Turkey Lettuce Wraps
I’m married to a marathon runner, which means dinners need to be healthy but flavor-packed. These low-carb wraps are quick and easy. He loves the health aspect, I love the taste! —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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Day 5: Asparagus Nicoise Salad
I’ve used my Nicoise as an appetizer or a main-dish salad, and it’s a winner every time I put it on the table. Here’s to a colorful, make-ahead salad! —Jan Meyer, St. Paul, Minnesota
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Day 6: Spicy Beef & Pepper Stir-Fry
Think of this stir-fry as your chance to play with heat and spice. I balance the beef with coconut milk and a spritz of lime. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
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Day 7: Herbed Tuna Sandwiches
A delightful combination of herbs and reduced-fat cheese makes this simple tuna sandwich a standout. —Marie Connor, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Day 8: Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts
I've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington
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Day 9: Pecan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
I loved chicken nuggets as a child. This baked version is healthier than the original, and it's a great meal for kids. — Haili Carroll, Valencia, California
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Day 10: Seared Salmon with Strawberry Basil Relish
Salmon and basil take a sweet new approach when topped off with a relish of strawberries, honey and pepper. —Stacy Mullens, Gresham, Oregon
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Day 11: Slow-Cooked Turkey with Berry Compote
We love to eat turkey, and on hot summer days, here's how we get our fix. For golden-brown turkey, broil for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama
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Day 12: Lime-Chipotle Carnitas Tostadas
Here's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
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Day 13: Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Day 14: Lemon Pork with Mushrooms
This is my family's favorite healthy dish, but you'd never guess it's good for you. A little squeeze of lemon gives these crispy seasoned chops a bright boost. —Christine Datian, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Day 15: Cuban-Style Pork Chops
These are like Cuban sandwiches without the bread, so they’re a bit more elegant. Let your family customize the chops with pickles, mustard and other condiments. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
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Day 16: Italian Sausage Orzo
This light dish is perfect for any night of the week, and it looks as good as it tastes! If you have leftover sauteed mushrooms or other vegetables, toss them in as well. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Day 17: Ginger Halibut with Brussels Sprouts
I moved to the United States from Russia and love cooking Russian food for family and friends. Halibut with soy sauce, ginger and pepper is a favorite. —Margarita Parker, New Bern, North Carolina
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Day 18: Juicy & Delicious Mixed Spice Burgers
We like trying to make "street foods" at home, perfecting recipes for dishes like gyros and these spiced burgers, known as kofta. — Anne Henry, Toronto, Ontario
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Day 19: Crunchy Chili Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp
Easy, quick and family friendly, this chili lime shrimp recipe is dairy free and comes together in about 30 minutes. The secret is the bright flavor-packed sauce. Serve over greens, store-bought slaw or cauliflower rice. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Day 20: Easy Caribbean Chicken
This is a very simple recipe that uses easy-to-find ingredients. Serve with some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Use cubes of pork or even shrimp instead of the chicken. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Day 21: Asparagus Spinach Salad with Chicken
We love all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available in the summer. This salad is one of our favorite because it packs in so much great produce, plus it's quick and easy on a warm summer day. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Day 22: Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
I was raised as a southern girl, with the love of barbecue built into my DNA. This slow-cooker recipe allows me to enjoy the flavors I grew up eating, while still following a healthy diet. —Heidi Mulholland, Cumming, Georgia
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Day 23: Sausage-Topped White Pizza
I love cooking, and I learned from Nana and Mom. Pizza is easily one of my favorite dishes to prepare. I switched up this recipe to make it my own. —Tracy Brown, River Edge, New Jersey
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Day 24: Lemon-Parsley Tilapia
I like to include seafood in our weekly dinner rotation but don't want to bother with anything complicated (and it had better taste good or the family will riot). This herbed fish does the trick. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Day 25: Slow-Cooked Ropa Vieja
I traveled to Cuba a few years back and experienced some of the best food imaginable. One staple dish stuck out more than the rest, and that was ropa vieja. I had multiple variations, and when I returned home, I began to experiment making ropa vieja in the slow cooker. I went through roughly 5 trials before coming to this recipe. —Joshua Boyer, Traverse City, Michigan
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Day 26: Spring Herb Roast
This marvelous beef roast lets you forget about it while it’s cooking (but the aroma will remind you). We serve it with brown rice or mashed potatoes. —Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas
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Day 27: Pressure-Cooker Spring-Thyme Chicken Stew
During a long winter (and spring), we were in need of something warm, comforting and bright. This stew always reminds me of the days Mom would make her chicken soup for me. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
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Day 28: Slow-Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
This slow-cooker teriyaki chicken is a snap to whip up on a workday, and it tastes just like Chinese takeout! My kids love it, and they don’t even know it’s healthy. —Rachel Ruiz, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
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Day 29: Air-Fryer Coconut-Crusted Turkey Strips
My granddaughter shared this recipe for turkey fingers with me. With a plum dipping sauce, they're just the thing for a light supper. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Day 30: Raspberry Pork Medallions
Pork served with a luscious raspberry glaze is fancy enough for company. We bring it to the table with wild rice pilaf and steamed veggies. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Originally Published: February 22, 2021
