Festive Foods Can Fit in Diabetic Menu Plans

Special occasions are made more special by the foods served. For those persons with diabetes, making wise menu choices can be a challenge and sometimes keep you from enjoying these festive occasions. Healthy eating can be part of party menus too.  For those who want to find out more about being able to enjoy those special-occasion meals while keeping blood glucose levels in check, please join me for a presentation on ‘Diabetic Nutrition during the Holidays’ at the November 16 meeting of Aging Wisely. The hour long seminar will be held at 2 p.m. at the Weatherford College, Wise County Campus located at 5180 Highway 380 between Decatur and Bridgeport.

The Aging Wisely monthly series is offered to Wise County citizens courtesy of Weatherford College, AHEC, and First Texas Home Health. They have teamed up to create an educational series to empower not only the aging population, but those who love and care for our aging community members. The topics range includes nutrition, safety in the home, long term care insurance, mental and the list goes on.

            The following recipe will make a great contribution to any holiday meal as well as fitting into the meal plan of a person with diabetes.

Healthy Holidays Layered Salad

1 bag salad greens

1 16 oz. bag of frozen green peas

2 large tomatoes

½ cup red onion (chopped)

1 bunch of broccoli (coarsely chopped into salad size pieces)

2 cups grated cheese

1 small can of sliced black olives

Dressing:

¾ cup light mayonnaise

½ cup low fat sour cream

1 tsp. lemon juice

2 packets artificial sweetener

Mix all the ingredients for the dressing. Chill while assembling the salad. Thaw the green peas under hot water in a colander. To assemble the salad, arrange the greens in an oblong dish. Layer the peas evenly over the salad. Spread the salad dressing over the peas like icing on a cake. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the salad dressing. Top this with the onion, broccoli, tomatoes and olives. Cover tightly with plastic wrap until serving.  Makes 10 servings.

Nutrients per serving: Calories: 197; sodium: 275 mg; carbohydrates: 20 grams; protein: 9 grams; fat: 10 grams

For more information on cooking with diabetes or the Aging Wisely program call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at 940/627-3341.