6 easy diabetes recipes to satisfy cold weather cravings

With the cold weather season upon us, you're likely craving something nice and hot to warm you up. As a person living with diabetes, you need to keep a few things in mind while planning meals — and it seems like lots of cool weather dishes are heavy on carbs. Thankfully, there's a ton of healthy, hearty dishes that will satisfy your cold weather cravings without upsetting your glucose levels!

Try these six easy diabetes recipes to raise your temperature without sending your blood sugar to new heights.

1. A steaming bowl of spaghetti squash "pasta"

Craving Italian but don't want all those carbs? Use a spaghetti squash to get your fix. One cup of spaghetti squash has approximately 9 grams of carbohydrates, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — compared to 1 cup of pasta at 30 grams of carbohydrates — which makes it a great swap for anyone living with diabetes. If you've never made spaghetti squash before, this may sound intimidating, but it's actually pretty simple.

You can find this type of squash in the fresh produce section at your supermarket, or you can make it yourself by following the steps below:

To prepare, cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds like you would remove the seeds from a pumpkin.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the squash face-down. You may choose to spray the inside of the squash with some healthy cooking spray (such as an olive oil spray) and add seasonings per your liking.
Cook in the oven at approximately 375 degrees (temperature may vary depending on the oven used) for 40-50 minutes.
When cooked, rake a fork through the squash to make "noodles." Top with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese — and enjoy.

2. A hearty bowl of vegetable soup

As long as you hold off on the starchy ingredients like potatoes, barley, rice, and pasta, vegetable soup can contain little to no carbohydrates, making it a great choice to help warm up your temperature without increasing your blood sugar. Plus, vegetable soup is packed with health-boosters like fiber and potassium, which may protect against heart disease and certain types of cancer, noted the USDA.

It's perfectly OK to heat up a can of your favorite variety of vegetable soup, or you can make it from scratch:

Start by sauteing onion, celery, and carrots with your choice of protein, and then add some stock.
Next, add tomatoes, green beans, and cabbage along with some garlic and your favorite spices.
Let it simmer until your protein and vegetables are tender, and you've got a meal that's sure to warm you up inside and out.

3. Delicious flavored coffee

Do you crave hot specialty coffees in the winter? Instead of flavored syrup, try adding cinnamon or nutmeg to your coffee for a no-carb treat. Aromatic spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg are naturally low in carbohydrates and won't create any noticeable increase in your blood sugar. To kick it up a notch, checkout this quick and easy coconut whipped cream recipe to turn your coffee drink into a real treat.

4. A fluffy, baked sweet potato

A baked sweet potato is a warm and filling treat on a cold winter day, and it can work as a snack or a side dish. An average baked sweet potato contains 21 grams of carbohydrates (including the peel), noted the USDA, plus it's packed with beta carotene for healthier skin and eyes. Make one in the oven for richer flavor or in the microwave for a quick treat. Top with a serving of butter, ghee, sea salt, or any other preferred add-ons.

5. A savory side of roast veggies

Instead of a side of fries, try roasting some veggies. Roasted vegetables are a delicious, lower carb alternative to french fries. They're warm, flavorful, and filling, and if you choose the right veggies, they won't bother your blood sugar a bit!

Here's how to prepare them:

Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray.
Cut up a variety of your favorite non-starchy vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts work well.
Toss the veggies in a small amount of olive oil and your favorite spices, and spread them out in a single layer on the sheet pan.
Roast at 400 degrees until crisp and delicious, about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your vegetables.

6. Warm, baked apples

If a warm piece of apple pie is your idea of the perfect winter food, try a baked apple to satisfy your craving. You'll save about 20 grams of carbohydrates by eating a baked apple, according to the USDA, instead of a piece of apple pie, the USDA also noted. This can help you enjoy the same flavors without causing as much of a rise in your blood sugar level.

To make a baked apple for one:

Peel and core the apple.
Add alternative sweetener if you like, as well as cinnamon and/or nutmeg.
Place the apple in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
Microwave it for about 3-5 minutes, until tender.
Let it cool another 3-5 minutes, and enjoy!

No matter what your health condition, it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling resentful about all the foods you can't have. That's especially true if you have diabetes because you have to think about how every bite is going to affect your health. But you don't have to feel deprived just because you have diabetes — these are just a few of the many diabetes recipes that will help you satisfy your cold weather cravings and keep your blood sugar in range.

For more tips on healthy eating with diabetes, check out the Edgepark Health Insights blog and discover other ideas around smart snacking with diabetes.