Almost 24 million Americans have diabetes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. With diabetes, weight management is important. Five food-focused diabetes books new this year offer up everything from smoothies to grilled eggplant moussaka with roasted pepper cream. USA Today asked nutritionists, people living with the disease and endocrinologists to test the recipes:
"The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes," by Bob Greene, John J. Merendino Jr., M.D., and Janis Jibrin, M.S., R.D., Simon & Schuster, $26
The gist: Not really a cookbook, more a how-to guide to healthy living with diabetes, with a smattering of appealing recipes — even chocolate cupcakes.
Recipe: Slow-cooked Pork
"The pork was very tender. It smelled delicious when I came home. My husband (a physician) ate three-quarters of it.One of the problems with the recipe is that it was all meat, and I had not prepared anything else for supper. I'd like a recipe that is more of a stew."
— Susan Spratt, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Duke Medicine, and creator of Sprattsalads.com
"The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast, and Flavorful Recipes Made With Canola Oil," by the American Diabetes Association and CanolaInfo, ADA, $18.95
The gist: Fresh, easy. Stock up on canola oil or sub in olive.
Recipe: Panko-Parmesan Chicken with Capers
"I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10. It was easy to make, tasted pretty good, and the portion size was enough."
— Cliff Losak, Teaneck, N.J., diabetic
"You Don't Have to Be Diabetic to Love this Cookbook," by Tom Valenti, Workman, $19.95
The gist: A chef with diabetes offers his take on tasty, diabetic-friendly food.
Recipe: Jorge's Family Lunch Chicken Soup
"Good mix of flavors. The cilantro and lime really added to the recipe. The price for ingredients was reasonable. Nutritionally speaking, it is a great low-calorie, low-sodium, lean protein option, and only 9 grams of carbohydrate per bowl. Healthy additions might include a small whole-grain roll and fresh fruit, or yogurt."
— Registered dietitian Debby Johnson, nutrition coach, Fit4D diabetes Web site
"The Diabetes Dtour Diet Cookbook," by Barbara Quinn, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. and the editors of Prevention magazine, Rodale Press, $31.95
The gist: Integrates scientific research and recipes in a friendly, non-intimidating voice, says Montefiore dietitian Libby Downs.
Recipe: Chicken-Vegetable Pot Pie
"It was good and not very hard to make. It was less creamy than typical pot pies, but I am very willing to trade having a pot pie that is less creamy if it's more healthy for me. My husband went back for seconds."
— Maureen Kahr of Falls Church, Va., who has diabetes
"I made the pot pie for a holiday potluck at work for all of Duke's diet and fitness center staff. People commented that it was good. My colleague who does nutritional analysis said the book was off. The recipe claimed to have 296 calories per serving, but she calculated that it was more than 500 calories per serving. She suggested instead of two crusts, use one."
— Registered dietitian Elisabetta Politi, nutrition director, Duke Diet & Fitness Center
"Delicious Diabetes Recipes: The Gourmet Cookbook for a Healthy Life," by Rani Polak, M.D., Imagine Publishing, $24.95
The gist: More of a weekend cookbook — recipes are detailed. The sweet-toothed, but carb-restricted, will delight in the dessert section that includes banana crepes and biscotti.
Recipe: Chicken drumsticks with peppers and cherry tomatoes
"For ease of preparation, we gave it 3 out of 10. We couldn't find skinned chicken drumsticks and had to skin them ourselves. Regarding flavor, it was fairly bland, except for thetomatoes, which stood out. Nothing wrong with it, but not exciting. I added some Tabasco sauce and this made it taste much more interesting. A 6 out of 10."
— Mark Feinglos, chief, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Duke Medicine; his dietitian wife and 22-year-old son
Sample recipe: Slow-cooked Pork
1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
1 onion, chopped
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours, until tender.
Remove the pork and shred with a fork. Serve with the sauce from the pot. Serves 4.
Source: "The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes"