Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Salad Dressings (Recipes & Products) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best salad dressing for a diabetic to use? ›

Choose dressings made with avocado oil, olive oil or vegetable oils like canola, sunflower and safflower. But stay away from dressing that's high in saturated fat, which can lead to inflammation and chronic illness, possibly making your diabetes harder to control.

Generally speaking, the healthiest salad dressing will be a vinaigrette like balsamic or oil and vinegar, while Caesar, ranch or anything with the word “creamy” will be the unhealthiest. The exception? We like products made with healthy swaps—think Greek yogurt in place of mayo or heavy cream.

Yes, we're talking about oil and vinegar. More specifically, extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and apple cider or red wine vinegar. “Olive oil and vinegar dressing offers the most potential benefit for those with prediabetes or diabetes,” notes integrative medicine physician Irina Todorov, MD.

Mayonnaise for Healthy Fat

But if you choose one made with healthy fat (such as olive oil), and make sure you stick to just one serving or less as described on the nutrition label, it can be a diabetes-friendly choice. To avoid overdoing this condiment, always measure it before you spread it.

Yes, a person with diabetes can eat mayonnaise. Mayonnaise has less than a single gram of carbohydrates per tablespoon. But with 10 grams of total fat (1.6 grams of that coming from saturated fat) it can be considered high fat. So you may want to limit the amount of mayonnaise you eat or find an alternative.

Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

Ideally, you'll see less than 200 mg of sodium, 5 grams of sugar, 2 grams of saturated fat, and 0 grams of trans fat per serving. “My favorite store bought salad dressing brands are Primal Kitchen, Brianna's, Chosen Foods, Girard's, and Bolthouse Farms,” Carli recommends.

Olive Oil and Vinegar

The best part is that by opting for this low-carb salad dressing, you're avoiding other carb-heavy, store-bought versions. Most olive oil-and-vinegar dressings have zero net carbs, which is why they're recommended for followers of the keto diet.

Apple cider vinegar is generally safe for people with diabetes when it's consumed in moderate amounts, such as a few tablespoons or less daily. People with diabetes can consume apple cider vinegar as the risk of adverse effects is low for them.

Individuals with diabetes need foods that can help manage blood sugar and weight. Peanuts and peanut butter can be a powerful ally to reaching success. Peanuts and peanut butter have a low glycemic index, which means they don't cause blood sugar to rise sharply.

Are pickles good for diabetics? ›

A person living with type 2 diabetes can include pickles as part of their diet in moderation. They may find that the pickle vinegar helps control their blood sugar level. A person should look for lower-sodium and no-sugar-added varieties to help reduce their sodium intake and prevent blood sugar spikes.

Several spices are known to have a positive effect on glycemic control and glycemic response. Among these spices, spices such as cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, curry, coriander, mustard, anise, onion, garlic, ginseng fenugreek and nigella are especially highlighted.

While you can certainly enjoy your preferred brand of butter, in moderation, if you have diabetes, experts recommend you consider an unsalted option to lower your total sodium intake, an important consideration for someone with diabetes since excessive sodium can raise blood pressure.

A 5-ounce can of tuna provides around 20 grams of protein and no carbs, which makes it a great snack option if you have diabetes. Additionally, tuna provides small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help manage diabetes due to their potential to lower inflammation and improve blood sugar control.

Watch out for super-creamy dressings such as ranch and bleu cheese — the ADA lists these as foods to avoid — and limit your intake of low-fat creamy dressings, such as light ranch, to occasional treats.

Diabetes Management

Balsamic is one of several types of vinegar thought to limit spikes in blood glucose levels. One study suggests that, if taken in moderation prior to eating, vinegar can help people with type 2 diabetes better manage their blood sugar.

A tuna salad recipe for people with diabetes is not really different than a recipe for someone without diabetes. Typical tuna recipes will use canned tuna, mayonnaise, chopped celery and or chopped onion. To cut back on the saturated fat and total fat, fat reduced mayonnaise can be substituted.

Be careful with your intake and portion sizes of high-carb sides and desserts. Stuffing is made up mostly of bread, of course you may have this staple Thanksgiving side item but it is important to limit yourself to a smaller serving.