Special Diets Diabetes 16 Easy Diabetes-Friendly Veggie Sides You'll Want to Make Forever By Dillon Evans Dillon Evans Dillon Evans fell in love with cooking at a very young age. He remembers the novel experiences of microwaving a bowl of oatmeal without his parents' permission and asking to make his mother's morning pot of coffee. These moments became catalysts for his interest in cooking and baking. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on November 1, 2023 Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia Maria Laura is EatingWell's senior nutrition & news editor. As part of the nutrition team, she edits and assigns nutrition-related content and provides nutrition reviews for articles. Maria Laura is a trained dietitian, almond butter lover and food enthusiast with over seven years of experience in nutrition counseling. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Ali Redmond If you have diabetes, it’s only natural to wonder what foods are the best fit for you, even when it comes to vegetables. All veggies—from cabbage, carrots and mushrooms to higher-carb options like sweet potatoes and potatoes—are healthy, fiber-rich choices that are great picks for folks living with diabetes. The fiber in vegetables helps slow down digestion, which helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer after a meal and to keep your blood sugar levels stable. These veggie side recipes feature not only fiber-rich veggies but also heart-healthy fats and protein for well-rounded, diabetes-friendly dishes. Easy, highly rated recipes like our Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini or our Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage are delicious sides you can make in under 30 minutes. Related: Can People With Diabetes Eat Potatoes? 01 of 16 Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini Recipe Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle You can have this veggie side on the table in just 15 minutes. Cooked in heart-healthy olive oil and seasoned with lemon, garlic and a touch of crushed pepper, it goes with everything from roast turkey to steak. Not to mention, you can apply this cooking technique to almost any vegetable—just adjust cooking time accordingly. View Recipe 02 of 16 Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage Ali Redmond Roasting cabbage brings out its natural sweetness, and a sprinkle of garlic and Parmesan adds a savory element without being overly salty. Plus, this cruciferous vegetable offers anti-inflammatory benefits and gut-healthy fiber. View Recipe 03 of 16 Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan Brie Passano Before roasting these broccoli florets, they’re flattened to increase their surface area which helps get them nice and crispy. A drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving adds tangy sweetness without added sugar. View Recipe 04 of 16 Crispy Oven-Roasted Potatoes Recipe Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn These oven-roasted potatoes are roasted, then broiled for quick, evenly browned potatoes that remain tender and fluffy on the inside. Since they’re flavored with whole-grain mustard, onion powder, garlic powder and fresh dill, you only need to use a little salt to finish off this simple side. Potatoes deliver fiber, vitamin C and potassium—potent nutrients that can help decrease inflammation in the body. View Recipe 05 of 16 Vegan Green Bean Casserole This is the classic casserole you know and love, updated with a healthy twist. We reduced the saturated fat by creating a mushroom-packed “cream” sauce made with broth and almond milk. The result is a green bean casserole that’s rich and delicious. And, don’t worry, we didn’t forget the crispy onions to seal the deal. View Recipe 06 of 16 Sautéed Mushrooms with Balsamic & Parmesan Tender cremini mushrooms soak up the tart-sweet flavor of balsamic vinegar, while nutty Parmesan cheese adds a savory note. This easy technique works well with other mushrooms too, like oyster mushrooms or shiitakes, so feel free to mix it up. Ready in just 15 minutes, it doesn't get easier than this simple sautéed mushroom side. View Recipe 07 of 16 Balsamic Oven-Roasted Carrots Grab a rainbow of carrots and roast them with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze to enhance their natural sweetness. Not only do these carrots make a mouthwatering side to pair with any protein, but they’re also rich in carotenoids, a type of vitamin A that can help the body fight inflammation and improve heart health. View Recipe 08 of 16 Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette, Red Onion & Avocado Jillian Atkinson Here we pair fiber-rich spinach with antioxidant-rich avocado and onion for a crowd-pleasing salad everyone will ask for more of. A judicious amount of bacon in the warm vinaigrette adds a savory note, without the need for added salt. View Recipe 09 of 16 Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe Diana Chistruga If you’re trying to reduce your added sugar intake but think Thanksgiving isn’t complete without sweet potato casserole, this recipe is for you. Here we’ve leaned into the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes (and added just a touch of sugar to the mash), then topped the casserole with a modest amount of mini marshmallows. A sprinkle of pecans adds crunch. View Recipe 10 of 16 Quick & Easy Green Beans Recipe Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower Preparing green beans doesn’t get any easier than this. Just one pan and some salt, pepper and oil help you get this simple side on the table in minutes. Plus, green beans are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, like vitamin C and beta carotene. View Recipe 11 of 16 Spicy Black-Eyed Pea & Collard Green Salad Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman Harissa, peri-peri sauce and preserved lemon combine in a super-flavorful and tangy dressing for this fiber-packed salad. Though you can enjoy this mix as a vegetarian main, you can also serve it as a showstopping side dish that pairs deliciously with ham or roast chicken. View Recipe 12 of 16 Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic & Shallots Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Sautéed with bacon, shallots and garlic, these Brussels sprouts are simply delicious. Brussels sprouts are not only rich in fiber but also are packed with anti-inflammatory properties. Not to mention, this dish is on the table in just 15 minutes. View Recipe 13 of 16 Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad Recipe Iain Bagwell Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Typical broccoli salads can seem more about the creamy dressing and bacon than the broccoli itself. Mixing Greek yogurt with mayonnaise to make the dressing and using a reasonable amount of bacon all help to keep the saturated fat in check while letting the broccoli shine. The best part of this salad? It tastes even better if you make it ahead and allow the flavors some time to meld together. View Recipe 14 of 16 Air-Fryer Beets with Feta Jacob Fox Naturally sweet and with a slightly earthy flavor, beets pair perfectly with tangy feta in this high-fiber side. The antioxidant properties that give beets their vibrant color may also help reduce your LDL cholesterol—an important consideration when you’re managing diabetes. View Recipe 15 of 16 Arugula & Fennel Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Victor Protasio This simple salad features peppery arugula, crunchy fennel and just enough shaved Parmesan to be flavorful. A generous drizzle of olive oil helps you absorb arugula’s vitamin K—a fat-soluble nutrient that can protect your heart. This quick-to-prepare dish is sure to become a staple. View Recipe 16 of 16 Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Some might view this creamy cauliflower mash as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, but we just think it’s a delicious way to eat one of our favorite veggies. Made with a touch of butter and a good splash of buttermilk, it’s a welcome addition to any meal. Added bonus: It has twice the fiber per serving of mashed potatoes. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit