Not all diabetics have a special diet. Well, perhaps they should but don't follow one. I'd ask his wife. She will know best. It would be more important to me that he enjoys what I cook and take to him than trying to guess if there are certain foods or ways of cooking he doesn't eat.

you can make about anything, just give them a list of ingredients so they can "count" proteins, carbs, etc...instead of a sweet or sugar-free, send a couple of pretty apples or other fresh fruit.

what a thoughtful neighbor you are!

from what i learned, anyone diagnosed with diabetes has individual dietary requirements so it would be best to have some specifics on his can and cannots.

starchy foods help to keep blood glucose levels on an even keel, so potatoes, bread, cereals, rice and pasta - especially wholewheat - are acceptable.

fruits and vegetables eaten thoughout the day help keep sugar levels at an appropriate level.

a diabetic should eat a healthy, balanced diet, just like all of us. whatever you decide to make, just make certain it's low in fat, sugar and sodium.

are you looking for specific menues/recipes, or were you just looking for a guideline on what's acceptable and unacceptable to eat?

maryanne

That's what I was trying to say. Diabetes affects people differently. Some need sugar, some aren't supposed to have sugar, and some don't follow doctor's instructions at all. A girlfriend of mine wasn't supposed to eat any of the starchy foods Maryanne mentioned, but she ate everything she wanted to eat. She would not give a lowfat meal a moment's consideration no matter how hungry she was LOL. She knew not all foods were good for her but made her own decision. She never regretted that even though she paid dearly, just like your neighbor.

Thanks to all of you. What I had planned to make is vegetable beef soup and possibly cornbread to go with it. I wasn't sure of I could have potatoes and a few other vegetables in it because of starches and I was also unsure of the cornbread. I make good vegetable soup if I do say so myself.
I've never cooked for anyone who is diabetic so I didn't have a clue. I appreciate your input.

Linda

Taste of Home has a Light & Tasty magazine that is great.

My experiences come from a diabetic family. Go low-GI. Not all starches are high-GI but many are. Low-GI is different than low-carb but has a lot of the same attributes. The problems go around the persons ability (or inability) to control their blood sugar levels.

Your soup sounds low-GI and I am sure that it is yummy. You can use things like parsnips and turnips vise potatoes. Whole grain breads are better than white breads.

Sometimes the "Sugar Free" items can be worse for a person than the "normal" item.