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India is fast becoming the diabetes capital of the world with 69.1 million cases reported, the second-highest number in the world, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Keeping diabetes under control is essential to living a long and healthy life. The right diet and diabetic recipes play an extremely important role in keeping blood sugar levels under control.

Diabetics must include a lot of low glycemic index foods – those that lead to a steady rise in the level of glucose in the blood and a gentle rise in insulin – in their diet. Choose foods that are low in fat and calories and high in fiber and proteins. Moderation is key; eat everything in moderate quantities and try to include lots of vegetables in your diet to increase the fiber content. The fiber slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream, preventing blood sugar spikes that worsen blood sugar control and make you feel hungry.

That said, low-carb, low-sugar meals don’t have to be boring. Try these five recipes and you’ll see.

Savoury Pancakes

Ingredients

½ cup oats

½ cup atta

½ cup curd

¼ tsp soda

1 finely chopped onion

1 tbsp chopped cabbage

1 tbsp chopped zucchini

A tsp of chopped coriander leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Grind oats, add atta, curd, baking soda, salt & pepper, and mix well.
2. Add onions, carrots and zucchini to the mix. Pour some water if required to improve the consistency.
3. Make pancakes on a non-stick tawa. Serve hot.

Hariyali Dosa

Ingredients

1/2 cup broken wheat (dalia)

1/4 cup green moong dal

2 tbsp masoor dal

2 tbsp urad dal

1 tsp methi seeds

1/4 cup finely chopped onions

A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp ginger-green chilli paste

1 tbsp finely chopped coriander

1 tbsp chopped curry leaves

1 tbsp chopped green onions

1 tbsp chopped coriander

1 tbsp chopped dill leaves

Salt to taste

2 tsp oil for cooking

Method

1. Combine the broken wheat, green moong dal, masoor dal, urad dal and fenugreek seeds in a deep bowl and soak in water for 2 hours. Drain well.
2. Blend in a mixer along with approximately ¾ cup of water to a coarse mixture.
3. Transfer the mixture into a deep bowl, add the onions, asafoetida, ginger-green chilli paste, coriander, turmeric powder, curry leaves and salt and mix well.
4. Heat a non-stick tawa (griddle), sprinkle a little water on it and wipe it gently using a muslin cloth.
5. Pour on tawa and make a dosa, putting a few drops of oil and cook on a medium flame till the adai turns golden brown in colour from both the sides. Serve hot with mint or tomato chutney.

Low-Calorie Au Gratin

Ingredients

For low-calorie white sauce (makes approximately 1 cup)

1 1/2 cups chopped cauliflower or bottle gourd

1 tsp butter

1 tbsp atta

1 cup low-fat milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Other ingredients

2 cups chopped and boiled mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, peas and French beans)

Salt and pepper, to taste

For the topping

2 tbsp grated low-fat paneer

Half cube cheese, grated

Method

For the low-calorie white sauce

1. Combine cauliflower and 2 cups of water in a deep non-stick pan and cook on a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cauliflower turns soft.
2. Blend it in a mixer to a smooth purée. Keep aside.
3. Heat the butter in a broad non-stick pan, add the whole wheat flour and sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds.
4. Add the milk, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring continuously with the help of a whisk till no lumps remain.
5. Add the cauliflower purée, mix well and cook on medium flame for 1 minute, while stirring continuously.
6. Add salt and pepper, mix well and bring to a boil, while stirring occasionally. Keep aside.

Put the dish together

1. Steam the mixed vegetables till al dente.
2. Add the low-calorie white sauce, mix well. Adjust the seasoning.
3. Transfer into a greased baking dish and sprinkle the paneer and cheese on top.
4. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°c (400°F) for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Besan Methi Wraps

For the dough

½ cup atta

½ cup besan

2 tbsp methi leaves chopped

¼ tsp haldi

1 tsp curd

1 tsp oil

Salt, to taste

For the filling

½ cup red, yellow, green pepper strips

1 tbsp bean sprouts

½ onion sliced

Salt to taste

¼ tsp chilli powder

¼ tsp chaat masala

1 tbsp Dhania Pudina Chutney

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients for the dough into a tight ball. Let it rest for half an hour.
2. Divide the dough into 4 parts and roll out each into a round roti.
3. Heat a tawa and roast the roti on both sides for a minute till cooked. Keep aside.
4. Mix all ingredients for the filling except chutney.
5. Spread chutney on the roti, add the filling and roll into wraps.

Fruit Kulfi

Ingredients

1 litre low-fat milk

2 tbsp paneer

1 tsp elaichi powder

A pinch of saffron

A cup of mixed fruits (apple, papaya, pear, orange finely chopped)

Method

1. Heat milk in a broad pan till reduced to half.
2. Add crumbled paneer, elaichi and saffron and cook for 2 minutes till thick. Cool down completely.
3. Add the fruit and pour into moulds to freeze.
4. Demould and enjoy your sugar-free kulfi.

Diabetes doesn’t mean you need to give up your favourite foods. Let our nutritionist guide you on how you can tweak them and include them in your diet.

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