28 Popular Restaurant Dishes That Are Great for People with Diabetes

Yes, there are diabetic-friendly restaurants, if you know what to order. These meals won't knock you off course if you are on a diabetes diet.

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checking blood sugar
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Dining out with diabetes

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to spend your days eating flavorless fare. It’s completely possible to enjoy delicious foodโ€”even from a restaurant, as long as you know exactly what to order, how it’s prepared, and what an appropriately sized portion looks like. Since not everyone with diabetes has the same meal plan or health goals, we set out to create the most comprehensive list of great restaurants for diabetes and what to order, whether you’re cutting calories or keeping salt, carbs, or fats to a minimum. Read on for nutritionist-approved orders from Chinese and Italian restaurants, delis, smoothie shops, and other popular eateries. (When eating out, be on the lookout for these menu words to avoid.)

turkey burger
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At American restaurants: Turkey burger with steamed broccoli

When you’re getting food from your local sports bar or diner, registered dietitian Isabel Smith, RD, CDN, says that a turkey burger is the way to go. “Remove the top bun, which doesn’t typically contain much fiber and swap fries for a green veggie. This will add fiber to your meal and help slow blood sugar spikes and promote satiety,” she explains.

Man with apron standing in the kitchen and holding a wooden plate with prepared delicious hamburgers
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At American restaurants: Beef burger with a salad

If you prefer a beef burger, Smith suggests pairing one with a salad (sorry, no fries) and a vinegar-based dressing on the side. Ditch the top bun to keep empty carbs off your plate and say “no thanks” to cheese to keep excess salt and fat to a minimum. (Be sure to check out these healthy foods diabetics are bound to love, too.)

Filet Mignon Steak
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At American restaurants: Filet mignon

Feeling fancy? Order a filet with a sweet potato and side of non-starchy vegetables such as spinach or broccoli, suggests registered dietitian Miriam Jacobson, RD, CDN. “Sometimes a steak can be the healthiest item on the menu. Just beware of portion sizes. It should be the size of your palmโ€”not your head,” she cautions.

Baked Salmon with Mashed Potato and Asparagus, Creamy Sauce
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At American restaurants: Grilled salmon

“Steamed or grilled wild salmon is always a good option because it’s rich in omega-3 fats,” says registered dietitian Patricia Bannan, RDN, author of Eat Right When Time is Tight. “The nutrient helps ward off heart disease, which is important for those with type 2 diabetes, as they have an elevated risk of the condition.” Pair your fish with a side of steamed or sautรฉed veggies. Bannan suggests non-starchy veggies like broccoli, spinach, carrots, green beans, and Brussels sprouts, as they won’t spike blood sugar and are among some of the best foods for people with diabetes.

Kapusniak, traditional Ukrainian sauerkraut soup
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At American restaurants: Broth-based soup

Looking for a go-to appetizer? Broth-based soups are always a smart pick at any restaurant for diabetes, as they tend to be lower in carbs, fat, and calories than soups made with milk or cream, Bannan explains. (Here are 5 easy recipes for delicious homemade soups.)

close up of man holding a sandwhich
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At a deli: Protein and veggie sandwich

When you find yourself running around all day, a deli sandwich is a perfect solution. The key to staying on track is avoiding salty and fatty meats like smoked ham and bacon, and using healthier add-ons. Smith recommends crafting your creation on whole grain bread, as it contains more fiber than the white stuff. Or if the deli has it, go with sprouted grain bread. It’s filled with fiber and protein, which will help slow digestion and prevent sugar spikes. As for fillings, Smith says to “add lots of vegetables like tomato, lettuce, and roasted red peppers along with turkey or chicken.” If you want to grab something to go along with it, opt for a side salad or piece of fruit instead of chips, which tend to be high in salt, carbs, and fat.

salad bar
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At a deli: Salad bar

Some delis still have fantastic salad bars with lots of healthy options. But don’t add just anything to your plate. “Be sure to focus on protein and vegetables and go light on the starchy carbs and fats,” Bannan cautions. “A salad made with spinach and other non-starchy veggies, grilled chicken, avocado, beans like chickpeas, and a handful of nuts or seeds like sunflower seeds would be a balanced and nutritious meal. Just remember to go easy on the dressing or use a light version when possible.”

caprese salad
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At Italian restaurants and pizzerias: Caprese salad

“A Caprese salad is an excellent choice for anyone with diabetes,” says registered dietitian Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, the creator of the Free 7 Day Diabetes Meal Plan. A Caprese salad is fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, drizzled with olive oil or balsamic vinegar. “I recommend that my clients start their meals at Italian restaurants by ordering this salad because it’s delicious and is free of added sugars.” (Whether you’re dining at a restaurant for diabetes or eating at home, watch out for these surprisingly high-sugar foods.)

overhead shot of veggie pizza
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At Italian restaurants and pizzerias: Thin-crust veggie pizza

While few places have whole grain pizza, most establishments offer thin crust pies. Make thin crust your go-to base and load it up with veggies to add fiber to your meal and help blunt the sugar-spiking effect of the dough, suggests Smith. Another way to keep blood sugar levels in check: Start your meal with a side salad. “The fiber from the greens will fill you up and help you eat a less carb-dense pizza,” she explains.

Fresh chicken salad
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At Italian restaurants and pizzerias: Chicken Caesar salad

Turn a side Caesar or house salad into an entree by adding a grilled protein and healthy fat, suggests Zanini. Healthy protein options include grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon, while a vinaigrette dressing or avocado slices make for delicious sources of healthy fats. To make sure the kitchen doesn’t overload your plate with calories or sugar, Zanini says to ask for the dressing on the side and double-check that the dressing has no added sugars. If your server is unsure, err on the side of caution and go for oil and vinegar, instead.

Open face Grilled Branzino, with salad
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At Italian restaurants and pizzerias: Branzino with veggies

Roasted, seared, or baked branzinoโ€”also known as European sea bassโ€”is a good menu choice at restaurants for people with diabetes, Jacobson says. Often served with a potato and broccoli rabe or wilted greens, it’s often available at Italian eateries. “Fish is a great protein with omega-3 fats that help sensitize the body to insulin and naturally reduce blood sugar levels,” she explains. If calories and fat are a concern, the American Diabetes Association suggests asking for fish to be prepared without butter or oil.

Italian Seafood Pasta with Mussels and Calamari
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At Italian restaurants and pizzerias: Fruita de mare

“This traditional Italian dish contains different types of steamed and cooked seafood, which makes it an excellent source of lean protein,” Zanini says. “If it’s served with pasta, ask if whole wheat is an option.” Since Zanini says pasta portions should be no larger than a half-cup, ask for the noodles on the side, and add the appropriate amount to your plate yourself.

Ceviche in a bowl with lime on a wooden table
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At Mexican and Spanish restaurants: Ceviche

Next time you find yourself at a food fiesta at your favorite Latin American restaurant, order the ceviche, recommends Jacobson, and pair it with a side salad and some guacamole with cruditรฉs. It’s a dish made of fresh, raw piece of fish marinated in lemon or lime juice, along with onion, tomatoes, and seasoning. “While carb-based dishes like rice and beans will spike blood sugar when consumed in large quantities, this meal offers a healthy combination of protein, fats, and vegetables,” she says of her recommendation.

chicken fajitas shot from above
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At Mexican and Spanish restaurants: Fajitas and fajita bowls

When checking out restaurants for diabetes, head somewhere that has this Tex-Mex staple on the menu. It tastes indulgent but is actually nutritious and veggie-filled. “Fajitas contain a good combination of protein and vegetables. You can keep the carb count reasonable by choosing to either have the rice, beans, or the burrito or a little bit of each,” Smith advises. Zanini is also a fan of the dish but suggests ditching the starchy stuff altogether and transforming your fajita order into a salad. “Make a fajita bowl by serving your fajitas fillings on a bed of lettuce along with a cup of black beans,” she suggests, adding, “It’s a filling and balanced meal.” If you ask the kitchen to hold the wrap and the rice, they probably won’t mind giving you some lettuce, instead, free of charge.

Colorful Street Tacos, Shrimp - Seafood, Fish, Grilled, Ready-To-Eat
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At Mexican and Spanish restaurants: Fish tacos

Yup, that’s right! Tacos can be diabetes-friendlyโ€”so long as you pick the proper shell. “Corn tortillas are much smaller than flour tortillas, so they’re lower in carbs, explains Zanini. “Order two grilled fish tacos on corn tortillas with a side of guacamole. If you’re still hungry, get a side salad.” Here are other tips on how to eat healthy at Mexican restaurants.

Shrimp Salad
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At Mexican and Spanish restaurants: Grilled lime-flavored shrimp & fresh avocado salad

“While all foods at Mexican restaurants tend to be high in sodium, there are some choices that are usually lower in calories and fat and provide good nutrition,” says Bannan, who suggests ordering a lime shrimp appetizer with a side salad topped with avocado. Even if these exact offerings aren’t listed on the menu, Tex-Mex joints should be well-equipped to cater to your request.

Enchiladas
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At Mexican and Spanish restaurants: Bean enchiladas

Sure, they seem indulgent, but an enchilada can be a healthy choice at restaurants for diabetes as long as you order one filled with beans and make some special requests. Generally speaking, a bean enchilada will be a better choice than a meat enchilada. And that’s because beans have a winning combination of high-quality carbs, lean protein, and soluble fiber to help stabilize blood-sugar levels. “Ask the kitchen to go light on the cheese and sauce and add extra veggies,” Bannan says. “Since enchiladas and restaurant dishes, in general, tend to be on the larger side, plan to eat half your meal and take the rest home.”

veggie omelet
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At breakfast and smoothie joints: Veggie omelet

No weekend would be complete without a delicious family brunch from your favorite restaurant. Smith suggests ordering an omelet with vegetables and pairing it with either two slices of whole grain toast or a fruit salad. However, if you’re eating at a big chain, consider getting sunny-side up eggs with veggies sauteed on the side, instead. Places like IHOP add pancake mix to their egg mixtures to make omelets more fluffy. (Yes, seriously!) You don’t need those sneaky extra carbs. (Make sure you’re following these breakfast rules for diabetics.)

Oatmeal porridge in bowl for healthy breakfast
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At breakfast and smoothie joints: Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another diabetes-friendly option that just about every breakfast joint has on their menu. “Add walnuts to your cereal and get an order of eggs or turkey sausage to help balance blood sugar processing,” Smith advises. Just make sure to send that little bowl of brown sugar right back to the kitchen when it arrives.

Still life of fresh kiwi, pear and avocado smoothie
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At breakfast and smoothie joints: Greens and fruit protein smoothie

Kick your day off right with a custom-blended drink. Mixing and matching ingredients yourself (as opposed to ordering combos from a menu) helps you avoid sipping on something that’s overly sweet and not a smart choice for your diet. “Order a blend that has one serving of fruit, a serving of spinach or kale, a fat like peanut or almond butter, and a protein like plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened protein powder,” Smith says, adding, “The protein powder should be free of artificial sweeteners. Sucralose, aspartame, and neotame, in particular, can be just as bad if not worse than sugar for diabetics, and for everyone, frankly. They still elicit an insulin response because they’re sweeter than sugar and they can also wreak havoc on the bacteria that lives in our gut that controls sugar, appetite, weight control, and more.”

sashimi on plate from above
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At Asian restaurants: Sashimi with brown rice

Pick up those chopsticks and get ready for a delicious and diabetes-friendly feast. “I suggest starting with a miso soup and then ordering sashimi with a small side of brown rice and an order of steamed broccoli,” Jacobson tells us. “Sashimi is better than sushi rolls as it has more protein, and asking for the rice as a side dish allows for better portion control, which means you’ll be in better control of your blood sugar.”

POV, Salted Edamame Beans, Eating Japanese Food by Hand
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At Asian restaurants: Appetizer feast

If you’re a big fan of mixing and matching apps to create your ideal meal, you’re in luck because there are a ton of good-for-you options from your local sushi joint. Smith suggests pairing a protein-rich hot appetizer like miso cod, chicken skewers, or edamame with a big salad and one sushi roll. Stay away from anything that’s made with tempura (which is just a fancy word for deep-fried) and ask for all the sauces (including sushi vinegar) on the side. Most of them are super sugary and salty, so it’s best if you control how much makes it onto your roll, not the kitchen.

Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
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At Asian restaurants: Chicken and broccoli

“For those following special diets, Chinese is probably one of the more challenging cuisines,” Jacobson notes. “Start with a steamed summer or spring roll and get shrimp and greens or chicken and broccoli as an entree. These dishes are very simple and will be some of the cleaner items on the menu.” To play it extra safe, ask for the sauce on the side and spoon over a reasonable amount yourself, as they tend to be sugar- and salt-laden.

Hot and Sour Soup Isolated
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At Asian restaurants: Hot and sour soup

Skip the wonton strips and duck sauce, which aren’t the best foods for people with diabetes, and fill up on a soothing bowl of broth instead. “While I can’t promise the soups from restaurants will be low in salt, I can tell you that traditional hot and sour soups are diabetes-friendly, says Zanini of the Chinese restaurant staple. “This broth-based soup is made with tofu, eggs, and vegetables. It’s a good choice if you are watching your blood sugar. Egg drop soup is another smart choice.”

Broccoli, carrot, mushroom stir fry with tofu.
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At Asian restaurants: Steamed Buddha’s delight

Whether you call it Buddha’s Delight or Buddha’s Feast, one thing is for certain: This delicious vegetarian dish gets the green light when searching menus at restaurants for diabetes. “This meal is traditionally served with tofu and veggies, making it a smart choice. If it’s served with rice, ask for brown and keep portions to a half-cup or less,” Zanini notes. (These are the foods chefs never order in restaurants.)

grilled chicken kabobs on plate with salad
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At Mediterranean restaurants: Chicken kabob

Next time you’re craving Greek grub, Jacobson suggests noshing on a chicken kabob with grilled veggies or a Greek salad with grilled chicken. “Since it’s a lot of mixing and matching proteins and vegetables, Mediterranean food can easily be made diabetic compliant,” Jacobson explains.

Hummus platter with assorted snacks.
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At Mediterranean restaurants: Hummus with vegetables

“While many foods at a Greek restaurant tend to be high in sodium, there are a number of items that have reasonable amounts of calories and fat, and provide plenty of nutrition,” Bannan points out. Some of her go-tos: hummus with raw vegetables, yemista (vegetables stuffed with herbs baked with rice), dolmades (grapevine leaves stuffed with rice and veggies), Greek salad, and moussaka (eggplant casserole). (Use these tricks to make your diet more Mediterranean.)

Close-up of Traditional falafel balls with salad and hummus on a plate
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At Mediterranean restaurants: Falafel platter

According to Zanini, a delicious meal at a Greek restaurant for diabetes includes chicken or lamb skewers with a side of tzatziki sauce, one or two falafel balls, and a side Greek salad. “This meal is high in protein, fiber, and carbs. It’s the perfect combination of protein and fiber to keep blood sugar levels stable,” she says of her recommendation. Don’t miss the science-backed tips can help improve your blood sugar.

Sources
Medically reviewed by Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, on May 18, 2021