• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Diabetes Everyday

Living your best life with diabetes. Toby Smithson provides professional guidance with personal experience.

  • Diabetes EveryDay
  • Work With Toby
    • Interviews and Articles
    • Meet Toby
      • Contact Toby
    • Toby’s Books
    • Speaking Out About Diabetes
  • Sharing Toby’s Knowledge
    • Understanding Diabetes
    • Eating Healthy
    • Being Physically Active
    • Medications and Monitoring Health
    • Reducing Stress
    • Staying Motivated
  • YouTube Channel
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ
You are here: Home / Archives for Diabetes and Nutrition

Diabetes and Nutrition

10 Best Foods for Diabetes – Pantry Edition

July 26, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

A great first step to eating healthier is having healthier foods and ingredients stocked and ready for action. Here are my top 10 pantry items for building a diabetes-friendly eating habit.

This is part 2 in my series of answering one of our viewer’s requests for suggestions on preparing quick snacks and meals ahead of time. In today’s episode, I’m going to give you my recommendations for what to have stocked in your pantry or kitchen cabinets. I want to make sure this is not overwhelming so in a future episode, I will go over my top picks for the foods to keep in stock in your refrigerator and freezer.

Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

Table of contents

  • Best Foods for Diabetes
    • Keep in Your Food Pantry/Kitchen Cabinet:
  • Planning and Preparing – Staple Items

Best Foods for Diabetes

Ready?

Keep in Your Food Pantry/Kitchen Cabinet:

  • Canned vegetables, no added salt for those with high blood pressure, and canned fruit no sugar added
  • Oatmeal (whole grain oats and/or steel-cut oats)
  • Canned beans
  • Whole-grain crackers
  • Popcorn
  • Olive oil and cooking spray
  • Spices (cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder, fresh ground pepper, vanilla)
  • Canned or packaged fish like tuna or salmon – show tuna creations
  • And for those who take diabetes medications that may drop your blood sugar below 70 or if your blood sugar tends to drop below 70, we must add some fast-acting carb sources to our pantry list. Such as a juice box, hard candy, smarties, honey, regular sugar, I’ve been using squeeze applesauce as a quick way to get carbs into my system when I’m low.

Be Sure To Check Out – Diabetes Snacks For a Month (Part 1)

Planning and Preparing – Staple Items

As you can start to see, when we have some of these staple items on hand, it will be easier to prepare quick snacks or meals. Make sure to scroll through all the recipes I have on video and if we missed an ingredient, add it to your shopping list.

There are a number of other staple items that have a fairly long shelf life. Like chia seeds, cocoa powder, low-calorie sweeteners, polenta, and tomato sauce. I’m mentioning these items to include if you are a fan of my chia pudding recipe or low carb peanut butter cookies OR Have you tried the polenta lasagna recipe yet? It’s delicious and makes 8 servings so you can have leftovers for several meals during the week. Polenta has a fairly long shelf life too.

Be Sure To Check Out – Chocolate Chia Pudding, Diabetes-Friendly Peanut Butter Cookies, and Polenta Lasagna

Planning and preparing are my keys to successful diabetes management. I also find it easier for grocery shopping if I have my list of go to’s.

Hope this is helpful. Do you have any staple items that weren’t on my list? Please share below.

Until next time, cheers to your health.

Don’t forget to take a look at our most frequently asked questions.

You May Also Enjoy

  • Diabetes – Frequently Asked Questions
  • What Can I Eat When My Blood Sugar is Out of Range?
  • 3 Easy Tips for Managing Blood Sugar

Filed Under: Diabetes and Nutrition, Eating Healthy

Best Foods To Stock in Your Refrigerator for People With Diabetes

July 26, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Having healthier food on hand is the easiest way to eat healthier. Here’s my list for your refrigerator/ freezer.

This is part 3 in my series of answering one of our viewer’s requests for suggestions on preparing quick snacks and meals ahead of time. So let’s get started and talk about what the best foods are to stock in your refrigerator for people with diabetes.

Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

Table of contents

  • What Foods Should You Have Stocked?
  • My Top Picks:
    • Many of your protein food sources will be in the refrigerator or freezer…
    • Many fruits and vegetables will be stored in your fridge or freezer…
    • And vegetables
  • You Will Be Prepared

What Foods Should You Have Stocked?

In today’s episode, I’m going to give you my recommendations for what specific foods to have stocked in your refrigerator and freezer.

Ready?

Be Sure To Check Out – Diabetes Snacks For a Month (Part 1) and 10 Best Foods for Diabetes- Pantry Edition (Part 2)

My Top Picks:

Many of your protein food sources will be in the refrigerator or freezer…

Dairy Milk or plant-based milk; Cheese; Eggs; Tempeh for plant-based eaters and Plant-based protein crumbles; Skinless chicken or lean turkey or lean beef; Whole grain bread  And…

Many fruits and vegetables will be stored in your fridge or freezer…

Apples, oranges, melon, kiwi, peaches, berries…just to name a few.

And vegetables

Like salad greens, tomatoes, bell peppers, and carrots. Please note, I’m just naming a few of the vegetable choices. Frozen vegetables and frozen fruits are handy so you always have produce available for your meals.

Be Sure To Check Out – Fruits and Veggies, good anytime

You Will Be Prepared

By having these foods in your refrigerator and freezer combined with the top 10 pantry food items, you will be prepared for cooking up a quick snack or meal.

Do you have some “must-have” foods in your kitchen that I forgot to mention? Let me know in the comments section below.

Until next time, cheers to your health.

Don’t forget to take a look at our most frequently asked questions.

You May Also Enjoy

  • Good News for Your Diabetes and Your Bank Account
  • Beat Diabetes With More Fruits and Vegetables
  • A Simple Trick To Better Manage Blood Sugar

Filed Under: Diabetes and Nutrition, Eating Healthy

Are Triscuits OK For Diabetes?

July 2, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

I love when followers ask about particular foods…… “is _______ OK for me to eat?” A recent question came about Triscuits, and my answer may surprise you.

[Read more…] about Are Triscuits OK For Diabetes?

Filed Under: Diabetes and Nutrition, Eating Healthy

Diabetes Snacks For a Month

July 2, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

One of our followers is frustrated in making time to eat healthier on a regular basis. She asked about recommendations for snacks she could prepare for a whole month. Good question – here are some ideas for diabetes snacks for a month.

[Read more…] about Diabetes Snacks For a Month

Filed Under: Diabetes and Nutrition, Eating Healthy, Healthy Recipes

Ricotta Mac & Cheese with Spinach and Marinara

June 9, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

I really like posting recipes that may at first seem incompatible with diabetes. What fits that idea better than pasta? Here you go… Ricotta Mac & Cheese with Spinach and Marinara. Thanks, fellow registered dietitian nutritionist, Lauren O’Conner.

[Read more…] about Ricotta Mac & Cheese with Spinach and Marinara

Filed Under: Eating Healthy, Healthy Recipes

Diabetes-Friendly Peanut Butter Cookies

June 9, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

My new favorite snack, Diabetes-friendly peanut butter cookies, weighing in at 4 grams carbohydrate per cookie, are these gems courtesy of DiabetesStrong.com. What’s their secret? A low-calorie sweetener cuts the carbs from sugar, but typical cookies also add carbohydrates from flour (the grain group)……these cookies have no flour.

[Read more…] about Diabetes-Friendly Peanut Butter Cookies

Filed Under: Eating Healthy, Healthy Recipes

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Keys to Living Well – Toby’s Posts

Recent Posts

  • Which is the Worst Type of Diabetes? April 27, 2022
  • Can I Get Diabetes From Too Much Sugar? April 21, 2022
  • What You Need to Know About Diabetes and Vitamin B12 April 19, 2022
  • Magnesium – Good for Gymnasts and Good for Diabetes April 19, 2022
  • Which Foods Should People With Diabetes Avoid? March 14, 2022

Post Archives

Before Footer

tobysmithson

652

tobysmithson

View

Jun 7

Open
Please excuse my absence here on social media. I was busy with the most important thing in life… spending time with family. Two weeks ago, We received a shocking diagnosis for my mom- acute myeloid leukemia. A very aggressive cancer. All energies have been spent with my mom and siblings. My mom passed away with all three of her children at her side.
I can post thousands of photos, but I chose this one. Happy memories of her being here in Hilton head at a beautiful independent living facility.  I’ll be MIA for a while longer to be with family. 💔

Please excuse my absence here on social media. I was busy with the most important thing in life… spending time with family. Two weeks ago, We received a shocking diagnosis for my mom- acute myeloid leukemia. A very aggressive cancer. All energies have been spent with my mom and siblings. My mom passed away with all three of her children at her side.
I can post thousands of photos, but I chose this one. Happy memories of her being here in Hilton head at a beautiful independent living facility. I’ll be MIA for a while longer to be with family. 💔
...

tobysmithson

View

May 25

Open
I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference. 
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended. 
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️ 
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference! 
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved

I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference.
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended.
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference!
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved
...

tobysmithson

View

May 25

Open
Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial

Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial ...

tobysmithson

View

May 24

Open
Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia

Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia ...

tobysmithson

View

May 24

Open
Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health? 
Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome. 
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health.  I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian

Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health?

Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome.
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health. I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian
...

tobysmithson

View

May 24

Open
Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes

Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes ...

tobysmithson

View

May 23

Open
Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats

Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats ...

tobysmithson

View

May 23

Open
Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL

Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL ...

tobysmithson

View

May 22

Open
I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋 
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies

I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies
...

tobysmithson

View

May 22

Open
Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening

Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening ...

tobysmithson

View

May 20

Open
Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️

Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️ ...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 27

Open
Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio. 
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below. 
#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes

Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio.
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below.

#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes
...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 22

Open
More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea

More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea
...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 22

Open
Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with: 
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog. 
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy

Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with:
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog.
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy
...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 21

Open
Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv 
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved

Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved
...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 21

Open
⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny

⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny ...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 19

Open
Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson 
Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement

Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson

Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement
...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 18

Open
Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓 
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout

Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout
...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 16

Open
To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷

To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 ...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 14

Open
I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾
#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement

I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾

#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement
...

Load More Follow on Instagram

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Which is the Worst Type of Diabetes?
  • Can I Get Diabetes From Too Much Sugar?
  • What You Need to Know About Diabetes and Vitamin B12
  • Magnesium – Good for Gymnasts and Good for Diabetes

Let’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Keep in touch with diabetes news.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertising/ Disclosure
  • Contact Toby
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2022 Diabetes Everyday · Website by Market Me Social Inc.