10 Diabetic Cooking Books That Transform Your Health

Recommended by Sarah Jones, Chris Evans, Dexter Shurney, and more — expert-backed diabetic cooking books to guide your journey

Sarah Jones
Chris Evans
Andreas Eenfeldt
Updated on June 24, 2025
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What if managing diabetes could be as much about delighting your taste buds as it is about controlling blood sugar? The rise of diabetic cooking books addresses this very challenge, offering meal solutions that blend health with flavor. As diabetes rates climb worldwide, knowing what to eat and how to prepare it becomes a vital daily skill rather than just advice.

Among the voices shaping this landscape are Sarah Jones, a health writer who praises practical, sugar-craving solutions in Sugar Addiction No More for Diabetics, and Chris Evans, who found personal transformation through the same guide. Meanwhile, Dexter Shurney, president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, highlights Healthy at Last for its plant-based approach, reinforcing how dietary shifts impact chronic illness. These experts provide grounded endorsements that cut through noise and misinformation.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks and recipes, readers seeking content tailored to their specific diabetes type, cooking skills, and lifestyle needs might consider creating a personalized Diabetic Cooking book that builds on these insights and fits your unique journey.

Best for managing sugar cravings
Sarah Jones, a respected writer at Intelligencer and NYmag, endorses this book after exploring its thorough approach to diabetic cooking and sugar management. She praises it as an "outstanding resource for anyone looking to control their sugar intake," highlighting the delicious recipes and straightforward guidance that helped shift her perspective on diabetes management. This recommendation comes from her experience writing on health topics and recognizing practical nutrition advice. Similarly, Chris Evans, facing his own sugar addiction challenges, found the author's practical advice and recipes transformative, calling it a "fantastic resource for anyone looking to improve their health." Their combined endorsements underscore the book’s relevance and usability for those battling sugar cravings within diabetic contexts.
SJ

Recommended by Sarah Jones

Writer at Intelligencer and NYmag

Sugar Addiction No More for Diabetics is an outstanding resource for anyone looking to control their sugar intake. The recipes are delicious, and the actionable guide is easy to follow. I highly recommend this book!

What started as Laura Garrett's personal challenge with culinary creativity evolved into a focused guide on overcoming sugar addiction specifically for diabetics. Drawing from her background as a head chef and years of hands-on research, Garrett explains how sugar cravings complicate diabetes management and offers concrete strategies for breaking this cycle. You’ll find chapters detailing the link between sugar addiction and blood sugar fluctuations, alongside recipes designed without refined sugars that support gut health and reduce inflammation. This book suits anyone navigating diabetes who wants practical insight into controlling cravings with nutrition rather than relying solely on medication.

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Best for low-carb insulin control
Andreas Eenfeldt MD, founder of DietDoctor.com and a leading voice in low-carb nutrition, discovered this book while seeking effective tools to help patients reverse type 2 diabetes. He calls it "terrific and hopeful," highlighting how Dr. Fung explains reversing diabetes with clear, accessible guidance. Andreas notes the book’s impact in reshaping his approach to diabetes management through diet. Alongside him, Benjamin Bikman PhD, a physiology professor, praises the scientific depth, urging readers to reconsider traditional diabetes treatments in light of Dr. Fung’s work.
AE

Recommended by Andreas Eenfeldt MD

Founder of DietDoctor.com

In this terrific and hopeful book Dr. Fung teaches you everything you need to know about how to reverse type 2 diabetes. It could change the world.

Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist and co-founder of The Fasting Method, developed this cookbook as a practical extension of his research on insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. You’ll find 100 recipes designed to support a low-carb, high-fat diet that complements intermittent fasting strategies detailed in the book, including various fasting schedules like 16- and 24-hour fasts. Beyond recipes, the book equips you with grocery lists and updated insights on managing insulin through diet. If you’re looking to actively manage or prevent type 2 diabetes through food choices without sacrificing flavor, this cookbook offers clear, science-informed guidance.

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Best for personal meal plans
This AI-created book on diabetic cooking is tailored to your specific health needs and culinary interests. By sharing your current cooking skills, dietary preferences, and diabetes management goals, you receive a book that focuses on exactly what you want to learn. This personalized approach means you get practical cooking guidance that fits your lifestyle, making it easier to create meals that support your health.
2025·50-300 pages·Diabetic Cooking, Nutritional Science, Meal Planning, Blood Sugar Control, Ingredient Selection

This tailored book explores diabetic cooking mastery by focusing on your individual health needs and culinary preferences. It covers essential cooking techniques, ingredient selection, and meal planning specifically designed for diabetes management. By addressing your unique dietary requirements and goals, this personalized guide reveals how to create flavorful, diabetes-friendly dishes that support balanced blood sugar levels and long-term wellbeing. The book navigates the complexities of nutritional science alongside practical kitchen skills, helping you build confidence in preparing meals that align with your lifestyle. Its tailored content ensures you engage deeply with material that matches your background, making learning efficient and enjoyable.

Tailored Content
Glycemic Control Guidance
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for plant-based diabetes diets
Dexter Shurney, president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, highlights the transformative impact of Eric Adams's journey from chronic illness to health through a plant-based diet. Shurney emphasizes, "Eric Adams is living proof of the power that a plant-based diet has on the prevention, effective treatment and even the reversal of type 2 diabetes." This endorsement reflects Shurney's expertise in lifestyle medicine and his recognition of practical dietary approaches to chronic disease. Similarly, Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, supports the book's message, acknowledging diet and lifestyle's role in reversing multiple chronic conditions. Their insights offer a strong foundation for readers seeking credible paths to better health.

Recommended by Dexter Shurney

President, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Eric Adams is living proof of the power that a plant-based diet has on the prevention, effective treatment and even the reversal of type 2 diabetes. In Healthy at Last he delivers practical, life-changing, life-saving recipes for good health.

What happens when a seasoned public servant confronts a personal health crisis? Eric Adams, Brooklyn's borough president and former police officer, shares his journey from a fast-food diet to reversing his type 2 diabetes through a plant-based lifestyle. You learn how dietary changes can impact chronic illnesses, with detailed guidance on reducing processed foods and reimagining traditional soul food with healthier alternatives. This book benefits anyone interested in practical steps to improve cardiovascular health and diabetes management, especially within African American communities where these issues are prevalent.

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Best for reversing type 2 diabetes
John Kelly, founding president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, emphasizes how carefully chosen plant foods can reverse insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. His recommendation of "The Kick Diabetes Cookbook" comes from years witnessing the impact of lifestyle medicine firsthand, especially for patients seeking remission rather than symptom control. Kelly highlights how this cookbook’s nutritional approach offers both science and satisfaction, changing how you might see diabetic diets. Similarly, Michael Greger, founder of Nutritionfacts.org, endorses the book as an essential guide for anyone aiming to reverse diabetes or support others through that journey.

Recommended by John Kelly

Founding president, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Properly selected and prepared plant foods can reverse insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Reverse your diabetes and enjoy full remission using the nutritional approach so enjoyably presented in The Kick Diabetes Cookbook.

2018·192 pages·Diabetic Cooking, Diabetes, Plant-Based Diet, Blood Glucose, Meal Planning

Drawing from decades as a registered dietitian and plant-based nutrition expert, Brenda Davis teams up with Vesanto Melina to present a science-backed approach tailored to reversing type 2 diabetes through diet. You’ll learn why not all carbohydrates are harmful, how plant proteins contribute to blood sugar regulation, and the benefits of a whole-food, low-fat, plant-based diet. The book offers 100 recipes alongside an actionable meal plan, including insights on cooking techniques and nutritional analysis for each dish. This guide is suited for anyone seeking to understand the food-disease connection and implement dietary changes that address diabetes at its root rather than just managing symptoms.

Author of 12+ books
Canada Book Award winner
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Best for integrative diabetes lifestyle
Diana Licalzi, MS, RD, CDCES, combines her expertise as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care specialist with a master's in nutrition science and policy. She co-founded the Type 2 Diabetes Revolution platform in 2019, focusing on reversing and managing diabetes through plant-based nutrition, exercise, and mindset. This book reflects her integrative approach, offering you scientifically backed meal plans and practical guidance to support your journey with type 2 diabetes.

Diana Licalzi, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with a master's in nutrition science, brings a well-rounded, integrative approach to managing type 2 diabetes in this cookbook and guide. You’ll find a 4-week meal plan featuring over 100 plant-based, high-fiber recipes designed to stabilize blood sugar, along with practical tips on grocery shopping, meal prep, and pantry essentials. The book also explores how nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress interplay to affect diabetes, offering insights that go beyond just cooking. If you're looking to understand the lifestyle factors influencing diabetes and want manageable, tasty meal ideas, this book offers a realistic pathway.

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Best for custom meal plans
This AI-created book on diabetes nutrition is tailored to your specific goals and background, focusing on managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes through personalized meal plans. By sharing your dietary preferences and health needs, you receive a daily meal blueprint that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. This personalized approach makes navigating diabetic cooking practical and enjoyable, helping you focus on what matters most for your health journey.
2025·50-300 pages·Diabetic Cooking, Diabetic Nutrition, Meal Planning, Blood Sugar Control, Carbohydrate Counting

This tailored book explores step-by-step meal planning specifically designed for individuals managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It covers daily meal plans that align with your personal health profile, dietary preferences, and nutritional needs. By focusing on your interests and goals, this tailored approach reveals how to balance carbohydrates, proteins, and fats effectively to support blood sugar control and overall well-being. The book examines the nuances of diabetic nutrition and cooking techniques, offering a personalized pathway through complex dietary guidance. It empowers you to make informed food choices while enjoying diverse, flavorful meals. This personalized guide transforms expert knowledge into a manageable, daily blueprint that matches your lifestyle and diabetes type.

Tailored Book
Diabetic Meal Planning
3,000+ Books Generated
Best for quick balanced meals
Ellie Krieger, a respected TV personality and bestselling cookbook author, emphasizes the importance of enjoying life without feeling deprived while managing diabetes. She highlights this book as "a must-have for those with diabetes who want a life free of deprivation and full of flavor." Krieger appreciates how Mary Ellen Phipps, combining her registered dietitian expertise with personal experience, offers recipes that make balancing blood sugar both manageable and delicious, reshaping how you might approach diabetic cooking.

Recommended by Ellie Krieger

TV personality and bestselling cookbook author

A must-have for those with diabetes who want a life free of deprivation and full of flavor.

2021·152 pages·Diabetic Cooking, Diabates, Diabetes, Nutrition, Blood Sugar

Mary Ellen Phipps, diagnosed with type I diabetes at age five and a registered dietitian, blends personal experience with professional expertise to offer recipes that balance blood sugar without sacrificing flavor. You learn to prepare meals like Cheesy Quinoa-Crusted Spinach Frittata and Diabetes-Friendly Artichoke and Basil Pizza, all designed with nutritional info tailored for managing diabetes. This book benefits anyone navigating type I, type II, or prediabetes who wants to enjoy accessible, quick meals that support their health goals. Phipps also guides you through understanding how food impacts blood sugar, making this a useful companion for daily meal planning.

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Best for beginner-friendly air fryer recipes
David Smith, Washington bureau chief of The Guardian, highlights this book as an ideal starting point for anyone new to cooking, especially those navigating diabetic diets. After discovering it while seeking clear guidance on easy, healthy meals, he found the air fryer tips and nutritional details invaluable. "The Kitchen Starter Kit. Are you starting in the kitchen? This cookbook is your perfect entry point... The added nutritional values for each recipe make meal planning a breeze," he says. This perspective underscores the book's practical value for simplifying diabetic cooking routines.
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Recommended by David Smith

Washington bureau chief of The Guardian

The Kitchen Starter Kit. Are you starting in the kitchen? This cookbook is your perfect entry point. With simple air fryer tips and recipes that are easy to follow, it's a great beginner's guide. The added nutritional values for each recipe make meal planning a breeze, accommodating various dietary needs in no time.

What started as Isabella Abrams' commitment to making diabetic nutrition approachable turned into a resourceful guide blending health with simplicity. You’ll find not just recipes, but a clear understanding of diabetes types, glycemic indexes, and how to use an air fryer to whip up meals that fit your dietary needs without sacrificing flavor. The book breaks down complex concepts like meal planning into manageable 28-day schedules and offers diverse dishes ranging from breakfasts to desserts, all designed for quick preparation. If you're managing diabetes or prediabetes and want practical cooking strategies that save time while keeping nutrition front and center, this book offers exactly that with a straightforward approach.

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Best for fuss-free meal prep
Chef Julie Andrews, a registered dietitian and cookbook author, highlights this book as a practical guide for anyone managing type 2 diabetes while juggling a busy lifestyle. She appreciates how Andy and Michelle crafted recipes that are both flavorful and straightforward, noting, "Andy and Michelle have created a wonderful resource for those with type 2 diabetes. This cookbook is filled with easy, scrumptious recipes that are suitable for people with busy schedules who are looking to eat delicious, nourishing meals." Her endorsement reflects an appreciation for the book’s accessible approach to healthy eating without sacrificing taste, making it a helpful tool for sustained dietary change.

Recommended by Chef Julie Andrews

Registered Dietitian and Cookbook Author

Andy and Michelle have created a wonderful resource for those with type 2 diabetes. This cookbook is filled with easy, scrumptious recipes that are suitable for people with busy schedules who are looking to eat delicious, nourishing meals. The intro section outlines simple ways to incorporate more nutritious foods into your daily routine, and there is something everyone will love in the recipes section. My personal favorites are the Red Lentil Dal with Pita, Cheesy Taco Skillet, and Chocolate Yogurt Granita. If you haven't grabbed a copy, now is the time!

2021·156 pages·Diabetic Cooking, Type 2 Diabetes, Diabates, Diabetes, Nutrition

Andy De Santis, a registered dietitian and former Diabetes Canada professional, brings a pragmatic approach to managing type 2 diabetes through diet in this cookbook. You’ll find 75 recipes designed for simplicity and flavor, such as Mongolian-Inspired Beef and Salmon Po'boy, all emphasizing low-carb and low-sugar ingredients to keep blood glucose in check. Chapters also explain the relationship between diet and diabetes management, including blood sugar and insulin basics, alongside practical tips for pantry stocking and meal prepping. If you want to enjoy meals that support your condition without complex cooking, this book offers straightforward guidance and variety without overwhelming your schedule.

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Best for managing gestational diabetes
Robb Wolf, New York Times bestselling author known for his expertise in nutrition and metabolic health, highlights this book as a pivotal resource for anyone navigating the complexities of gestational diabetes. He notes how it "challenges the outdated conventional gestational diabetes diet and provides an evidence-based, common sense approach to managing it with real food." His endorsement stems from seeing how this resource offers practical, research-backed alternatives that empower women to manage their blood sugar more effectively while supporting their baby's health.

Recommended by Robb Wolf

New York Times bestselling author

At last, a book that challenges the outdated conventional gestational diabetes diet and provides an evidence-based, common sense approach to managing it with real food.

Drawing from her extensive background as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, Lily Nichols challenges the typical gestational diabetes advice that often leaves expectant mothers unsatisfied and struggling. She offers a detailed look at how nutrient-dense, lower-carb eating combined with updated exercise guidelines can help manage blood sugar more effectively and reduce reliance on insulin by half. You’ll discover which foods truly impact blood sugar and how to personalize carbohydrate intake rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan. This book is especially useful if you want to navigate gestational diabetes with evidence-based nutrition that supports both your health and your baby's development.

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Best for step-by-step diabetes management
Julie Cunningham is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with more than 25 years of expertise. Her work has appeared in Everyday Health, diaTribe, and Healthline, reflecting a deep commitment to helping people make impactful health changes. This book draws on her extensive background to offer clear, manageable daily guidance for anyone facing the challenges of Type 2 Diabetes, making complex science approachable and actionable.
2021·235 pages·Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetic Cooking, Diabates, Nutrition

Julie Cunningham is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist who brings over 25 years of experience to this focused guide. She distills complex diabetes management into daily, digestible lessons that cover meal planning, carb counting, and stress eating, with an emphasis on how sleep and physical activity influence blood sugar control. This book suits anyone with prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes looking for straightforward strategies without jargon or fluff. By reading chapters like optimizing sleep for blood sugar balance or navigating emotional eating, you gain practical skills that fit into busy lives and empower you to regain control over your health.

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Conclusion

The diversity of approaches in these diabetic cooking books reveals a clear theme: managing diabetes through diet is not one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s breaking sugar addiction, adopting low-carb meals, embracing plant-based diets, or navigating gestational diabetes, each book offers a unique path forward.

If you're newly diagnosed or overwhelmed, starting with The Easy Diabetes Cookbook or Diabetic Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners can simplify your kitchen routines. For those ready to dive deeper into reversing type 2 diabetes, The Diabetes Code Cookbook and The Kick Diabetes Cookbook pair science with satisfying recipes. Combining these insights with personal health goals will accelerate your progress.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Diabetic Cooking book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and empower you to take control of your health through informed cooking choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with The Easy Diabetes Cookbook for approachable, flavorful recipes that balance blood sugar, or Diabetic Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners if you're new to cooking. Both offer practical steps to build confidence in diabetic-friendly meal prep.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Diabetic Cooking?

Not at all. Titles like Diabetic Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners and 30-Minute Type 2 Diabetes Cookbook are designed for newcomers, with simple recipes and clear guidance to help you ease into diabetic cooking without feeling overwhelmed.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

The Diabetes Code Cookbook and The Kick Diabetes Cookbook delve into the science behind diabetes and diet, while Sugar Addiction No More for Diabetics and The Easy Diabetes Cookbook emphasize practical recipes and daily strategies for managing blood sugar.

Do these books assume I already have experience in Diabetic Cooking?

Most books cater to a range of experience levels. For example, Diabetic Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners welcomes novices, whereas Healthy at Last offers insights suitable for those familiar with plant-based diets seeking to refine their approach.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

30-Minute Type 2 Diabetes Cookbook and The Easy Diabetes Cookbook provide quick, easy recipes and tips that you can implement immediately to support blood sugar control and meal planning.

Can I get personalized diabetic cooking advice instead of reading multiple books?

Yes! While expert books offer great foundations, personalized diabetic cooking books tailor strategies and recipes to your unique health goals and preferences, complementing expert insights perfectly. Explore creating a personalized Diabetic Cooking book to get focused guidance.

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