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

FAQs

Which salad dressings are ok for diabetics? ›

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.

Oil and vinegar.

“This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

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.

Italian salad dressings and vinaigrettes have about 3 grams of sugar per serving size, honey mustard dressings contain around 7 grams, and Catalina dressings have about 8 grams of sugar. People also tend to use more than the recommended serving size of two tablespoons, which increases the sugar content of the salad.

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.

Olive Oil and Vinegar

Most olive oil-and-vinegar dressings have zero net carbs, which is why they're recommended for followers of the keto diet.

So the next time you're dressing a salad, reach for the balsamic vinegar–in the long run, not ingesting that extra fat and sugar makes a big difference!

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.

Processed or fatty meats

A 2020 study showed that eating just 50 g red meat or fish each day can raise diabetes risk by 11%. Also, people with diabetes should consider avoiding or limiting the intake of: breaded, fried, and high-sodium meats. processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats.

Can diabetics eat bananas? ›

Bananas are a delicious, nutritious and affordable food for everyone, including those with diabetes. Eating this healthy fruit can help stabilize blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and improve heart health.

Simple, convenient and oh-so-good, all six Skinnygirl dressings are fat-free, gluten-free and sugar-free, with just 5-10 calories per serving.

While more research is necessary, some evidence suggests ginger may help manage blood sugar levels. As such, people with diabetes can safely consume ginger as part of a healthy eating plan. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder.

Skinnygirl™ Balsamic Vinaigrette is a must-have for salad lovers and will quickly become your go-to. This fat-free and sugar-free dressing pairs...

Recent research over the past decade has revealed that balsamic vinegar is a great option for diabetic patients working to manage their blood sugar levels. When consumed in moderation, balsamic vinegar has many additional health benefits to offer as well – from muscle support to energy production.

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.

Tuna salad is made by combining tuna with mayonnaise and other ingredients, such as celery and onions. 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.

Vinegar, one of the main ingredients in french dressing, could help lower blood glucose and insulin levels. A comprehensive systematic review of control trials studying vinegar intake effects found that vinegar can effectively reduce both glucose and insulin levels to improve glycemic control.