Kitchen Essentials for Diabetics

Check the pantry for these staples:
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Bouillon granules: chicken, beef, and vegetable
• Canned Broth: lower-sodium chicken, beef, and vegetable
• Cornstarch
• Flour: all-purpose, self-rising, whole wheat
• Milk: nonfat dry milk powder, and fat-free evaporated milk
• Oats: quick-cooking
• Oils: olive, sesame, and vegetable
• Sugar substitutes and sugar
• Unflavored gelatin and sugar-free gelatin mixes

Keep these fruits and vegetables on hand:
• Canned beans
• Canned tomato products: paste, sauce, whole, diced, and seasoned
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruits packed in juice
• Dried fruits

You can always make a meal when you have these grains and pastas:
• Bulgur
• Couscous
• Dry pastas
• Rice and rice blends
• Dry cereals without added sugar

Add flavor with these condiments and seasonings:
• Bottled minced garlic
• Dried herbs and spices
• Mayonnaise: low-fat
• Mustards
• Salad dressings and vinaigrettes: fat-free and reduced-fat
• Seasoning sauces: hot sauce, ketchup, lower-sodium soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce
• Vinegars

Fill the fridge with these items:
• Cheeses: reduced-fat
• Eggs and egg substitute
• Milk: fat-free milk and low-fat buttermilk
• Margarine, reduced-calorie margarine, and light butter
• Rolls and pizza dough
• Sour cream: low-fat
• Yogurt: low-fat

Stock up and store these foods in the freezer:
• Cooked chicken: diced or strips
• Ground round, pork chops, and other lean meats
• Frozen fruits
• Frozen vegetables
• Juice concentrates