Making my Favorite Meals Diabetic Friendly

Well yesterday I got the news that my glucose test did indeed come back high.  Luckily I had already planned a meal that would be tasty and keep my sugar levels in check. (BBQ Chicken Sandwiches) If you looked at my diet yesterday, I don't think you would even realize that I was watching my sugar or diet. It was pretty normal, but still kept my levels in check. I do feel like I spend a lot of time thinking about food and what I can and can't have.  I'm hoping it becomes 2nd nature soon.

Breakfast is always Cheerios when I am crunched for time or uninspired.  The trick here is making sure that I only use a serving size.  It is important to measure.

Lunch was left-over hamburger soup. Filling and yummy.

I had 1/2 apple for a snack.  I tried to have a whole one, but one of the kiddos took the rest from me. It happens.

I made a BBQ chicken sandwich with coleslaw. I did add some commercial BBQ sauce. I also used a whole grain bun and I only had 1. Absolutely no seconds, but the first was so big and filling I didn't even consider seconds.

I was out with some people who were making and eating a lot of yummy looking treats; Extra gum to the rescue.  I didn't even have a taste of the treats.  Yea me!

When I got home, I had a snack of cottage cheese and mandarin oranges. Honestly, it tasted like dessert. I also had a glass of 1% milk about an hour after this.

Healthy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken and Coleslaw Sandwiches

This is another favorite. It works with chicken or pork. I removed the sugar from both recipes and replaced it with Splenda. You cannot taste any difference. The sauce that the slow cooker will make will not be thick as the meat will bring juices to the party. You can make a BBQ sauce on the stove with the same principles, and actually with almost the same ingredients.  The only change I would make would be to use a can of tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes. Also, Splenda is sweeter than sugar. I add about 1/2 the amount of Splenda as compared to the amount of sugar I would add. Another caveat I have to make is that I don't measure when I cook.  I have been making these recipes for so long that I can eyeball it. I will give approximate measurements and it should be close, but if you have questions please ask.  :)

Okay- the slow cooker chicken first.  Mmmmnnn.

This is all you will need + chicken.

This is 1/2 an onion and 4 large chicken breasts.  These are actually frozen. I just pop them into the cooker- no need to thaw. (Did I mention that I love this recipe?)

 

I almost forgot, you will also need this.

Add tomatoes, 1/4 c. vinegar, 2 Tbl Splenda, 1 tsp garlic or 1/4 tsp garlic powder, about 3 Tbl mustard, and 1 Tbl Worcestershire and 1Tbl liquid smoke. Put the lid on the cooker and set for 8 hours. Walk away.

When the cooking time is up, shred your chicken.  You can add a commercial BBQ sauce or make your own.

The cole slaw is a really simple recipe. I do add a secret ingredient, that I  love- Apples. I know, odd right? But it is so delicious. Here we go.

Here is what you need. I would normally also add carrots, but I was out so this is how I made it this time.

I did not take a picture of the sauce as I made it. It looks gross and there is no way to take a picture that doesn't look gross. I used Mayo with Olive Oil. It is lower in fat and still tastes just like mayo.

1/3-1/2 c. mayo.
1 Tsp Splenda
2 Tbl vinegar
1/2-1 tsp Celery Salt
Mix up and set aside.

Slice green onions, slice cabbage very thin, (my husband that this was too thick, so I will shred it next time.) Core and dice apple.  I don't bother peeling, I like the extra color and texture. If you like carrots in your cabbage, add 1 shredded carrot at this point.  Toss together in a bowl.

I like a little extra crunch.

I sprinkled about 1/4 cup on the cabbage mixture and added the sauce. Looking at it I wish I had added Craisins too.

When you first add the sauce, it will appear that you don't have enough sauce for the mixture. Don't worry. Stir it up. It will be enough.

Yummy.

Place chicken on a whole grain bun, add a bit of slaw and if you want you can add some extra BBQ sauce. This is delicious!!  I am told this is how Carolinians eat their BBQ sandwiches.