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  5. 18 Summery Diabetes-Friendly Dinners That Can Help with Weight Loss

18 Summery Diabetes-Friendly Dinners That Can Help with Weight Loss

Danielle DeAngelis
Danielle DeAngelis Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD June 27, 2022
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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Cilantro Bean Burgers with Creamy Avocado-Lime Slaw

With summer in full swing, you will want to try these diabetes-friendly dinners that are perfect for the weather. These healthy dinners are high in fiber and lower in calories, a combo that can help with weight loss if that is your goal. Also, these dishes are lower in saturated fat and sodium to seamlessly fit into a diabetes-friendly eating pattern. Recipes like our Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara and Cilantro Bean Burgers with Creamy Avocado-Lime Slaw are delicious additions to your summer traditions.

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No-Cook Black Bean Salad

No-Cook Black Bean Salad
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popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos (see Associated Recipes). To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you'll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

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Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados
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popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos (see Associated Recipes). To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you'll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

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Air-Fryer Fish Tacos

air fryer fish tacos
Credit: Jacob Fox
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popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos (see Associated Recipes). To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you'll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

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Cilantro Bean Burgers with Creamy Avocado-Lime Slaw

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popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos (see Associated Recipes). To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you'll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

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Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls

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A bold, smoky marinade elevates roasted cauliflower in this meal-prep version of our popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos (see Associated Recipes). To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches (you'll need one 8-ounce pouch for this recipe) instead of cooking quinoa.

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Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara

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Fresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don't get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.

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Salmon Rice Bowl

Salmon Rice Bowl
Credit: Ali Redmond
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Inspired by the viral TikTok trend, this tasty bowl makes for a satisfying lunch or dinner. With a handful of healthy ingredients, like instant brown rice, heart-healthy salmon and lots of crunchy veggies, you'll have a filling and flavorful meal in just 25 minutes. Looking to cut down on carbs? Try swapping in riced cauliflower in place of the brown rice.

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California Turkey Burgers & Baked Sweet Potato Fries

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Inspired by an option at the West Coast chain In-N-Out Burger, this turkey burger recipe keeps the carbs in check with a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. The side of sweet potato fries bakes while you prep the burgers, so this entire healthy dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.

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Crispy Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon Vinaigrette

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Our favorite part of these vegetarian grain bowls is the tangy lemon vinaigrette, which ties together a satisfying combo of quinoa, toasted pumpkin seeds, and roasted chickpeas and kale. Whip them up for easy meal-prep lunches or a healthy and satisfying dinner.

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Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowl

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Skip the tortillas in favor of this warm fajita salad, which features a nutritious medley of chicken with roasted kale, bell peppers and black beans. The chicken, beans and vegetables are all cooked on the same pan, so this healthy dinner is easy to make and the cleanup is easy too.

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Quinoa, Avocado & Chickpea Salad over Mixed Greens

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Protein-rich quinoa and chickpeas add staying power to this zesty and healthy salad recipe.

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Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole

Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
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This easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too.

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Sesame Kohlrabi & Chicken Salad

Sesame Kohlrabi & Chicken Salad
Credit: Charlotte & Johnny Autry
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Kohlrabi (a bulbous vegetable related to broccoli and Brussels sprouts but with a milder, sweet flavor) and almonds add crunch to this crowd-pleasing salad. Baked tofu or shrimp can be used instead of the chicken.

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Kale, Sausage & Pepper Pasta

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This healthy sausage and kale pasta recipe cooks in one skillet, so there's only one pot to clean! Try it with any greens you have in the fridge, such as chard or spinach.

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Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce

Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce
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This vegan burger recipe is one you'll want to make again and again. Savory chickpea and zucchini patties are topped with a creamy, herb-flecked tahini ranch sauce, juicy tomato slices and peppery arugula for a satisfying and healthy homemade veggie burger. Serve them on buns or stuff them in pitas. We recommend making extra sauce--it's a great dip for veggie sticks and, thinned with a little water, it makes a wonderful salad dressing.

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Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl

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This flavorful burrito bowl features grilled chicken coated in a spicy chipotle glaze. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthier dinner.

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Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Tomatoes, Beans & Almond Pesto

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Looking at a tangle of spaghetti squash tricks your brain into thinking you're about to eat a serving of eggy noodles, when in fact, you get a nice calorie and carb savings in this healthy recipe. Giving tomatoes a stint in a hot oven makes them candy-sweet.

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Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

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Sun-dried tomatoes and Romano cheese pack a flavorful punch along with the tantalizing aroma of fresh marjoram in this rustic Italian-inspired dish. Serve with sautéed fresh spinach or steamed broccolini.

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    1 of 18 No-Cook Black Bean Salad
    2 of 18 Salmon-Stuffed Avocados
    3 of 18 Air-Fryer Fish Tacos
    4 of 18 Cilantro Bean Burgers with Creamy Avocado-Lime Slaw
    5 of 18 Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls
    6 of 18 Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara
    7 of 18 Salmon Rice Bowl
    8 of 18 California Turkey Burgers & Baked Sweet Potato Fries
    9 of 18 Crispy Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon Vinaigrette
    10 of 18 Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowl
    11 of 18 Quinoa, Avocado & Chickpea Salad over Mixed Greens
    12 of 18 Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
    13 of 18 Sesame Kohlrabi & Chicken Salad
    14 of 18 Kale, Sausage & Pepper Pasta
    15 of 18 Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce
    16 of 18 Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl
    17 of 18 Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Tomatoes, Beans & Almond Pesto
    18 of 18 Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

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    18 Summery Diabetes-Friendly Dinners That Can Help with Weight Loss
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