5 Diabetes-Friendly Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day by Diabetes Food Hub

You’ll want to put on a green apron to make these fun, diabetes-friendly recipes for St. Patrick’s Day! Whether you are Irish, or simply Irish at heart, these dishes are lower in calories, fat, and carbs than the traditional recipes. (They’re just as tasty, though!)

5 Diabetes-Friendly Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day  Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
Calories: 70 | Carbs: 15
Irish soda bread comes together quickly and this whole wheat version makes it healthier and heartier. It goes great with your favorite sugar-free jam for breakfast or as a side with your St. Patrick’s Day dinner!
 
 Bangers and Mash
Calories: 280 | Carbs: 25
Bangers and mash is a traditional Irish pub food that is usually very high in fat and carbs. This healthier version uses homemade turkey sausage and mashed sweet potatoes to make it more diabetes-friendly and heart healthy.
 
 Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Calories: 90 | Carbs: 9
Cabbage is a popular vegetable to use for St. Patrick’s Day. In this recipe, a whole head of cabbage is sliced into thick "steaks" and roasted. Serve them as a vegetarian entrée or as a filling, veggie-filled side.
 
Blow of classic beef stew with vegetables Classic Beef Stew
Calories: 250 | Carbs: 24
There are so many new renditions of beef stew, but if you can make this classic version really well, that’s all you’ll need. Plus, this traditional beef stew goes great with a slice of whole wheat Irish soda bread.
 
Plate of vegetarian shepherd's pie Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Calories: 285 | Carbs: 45
Shepherd’s pie can be found on most St. Patrick’s Day menus. In this vegetarian-friendly version, lentils and lots of veggies make it a hearty and filling meal that still has lots of protein to help keep you full and satisfied!
 
Green beer is also a popular St. Patrick’s Day item, but is it OK for people with diabetes to have a pint? Moderate alcohol consumption is safe for most people with diabetes. Opt for a light beer as they are lower in calories, carbs, and alcohol.

From the American Diabetes Association®, we wish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day! Be sure to sign up for the Diabetes Food Hub e-newsletter for healthy recipes delivered to your inbox every month.

Related Articles

  • Easy Food Swaps for Healthier Eating

    Easy Food Swaps for Healthier Eating

    If you are looking for ways to eat healthier, it can feel daunting and overwhelming. Especially when there are so many tasty looking foods that may distract you from your healthy eating plans.

  • New Ways to Try Whole Grains

    New Ways to Try Whole Grains

    Using the Diabetes Plate Method, your meal should be half non-starchy veggies, one-fourth protein, and one-fourth carbohydrate (carb) foods. If you have diabetes and are trying to make healthy food choices, then whole grains are the way to go for your carb choices. They have more fiber and nutrients than refined grains, two important elements that will help with diabetes management.

  • 7 Easy Slow-Cooker Recipes

    7 Easy Slow-Cooker Recipes

    The polar vortex may finally be receding, but there are plenty of cool days ahead. On a cold day, there are few things as nice as walking into a house and being greeted with the rich, hearty smell of a slow-cooker meal. Instant warmth! Another plus? Most slow-cooker recipes are easy to prepare, meaning you can pull everything together quickly in the morning, and have a warm, comforting meal waiting for you in the evening with very little effort. If you're new to slow-cookers, this relatively inexpensive appliance is well worth the investment. And if you have an Instant Pot or other multi-cookers, you have a slow cooker too! With a special lid, you can use the slow-cook setting found on nearly all of these devices.

  • Diabetes-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

    Diabetes-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

    Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the flavors and fun of a Thanksgiving feast. Diabetes Food Hub has plenty of healthy recipes you can use for your Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving) meal. We’ve put together a list of recipes to pick and choose from to help you monitor your carbs and calorie intake.

  • 3 Ways to Revive Your Holiday Leftovers

    3 Ways to Revive Your Holiday Leftovers

    You plan for the meals. You plan for the guests. Maybe you even plan for the feeling of equal parts relief and exhaustion once the holidays are actually over. But what about all the leftovers?

  • 3 Ways to Keep Your Health Goals on Track for the Holidays

    3 Ways to Keep Your Health Goals on Track for the Holidays

    The holidays can feel tricky when you’re living with diabetes. To-do lists are longer. Stress levels are higher. And traditional meals aren’t the easiest on blood glucose (blood sugar). These expert-backed tips will help you celebrate the season without losing sight of your health goals.

Recommended for You