Reduced-fat, reduced sodium, etc

[eelo]

Due to a diagnosis of diabetes recently received by a member of my household, we've had to make some serious dietary adjustments.

So far I've used the following 'reduced' ingredients:

Swanson's reduced sodium chicken broth---- EXCELLENT
Swanson's reduced-sodium beef broth-------EXCELLENT
La Choy reduced sodium soy sauce----------EXCELLENT

Mrs. Dash seasonings are great, lots of different flavors

Assorted Greek yogurts- much better than regular plain yogurt (less liquid to drain off, richer flavor, usually less fat)

Still haven't tried any of the reduced-sodium/reduced fat soups, maybe we'll get to those next week.

We're gradually eliminating all the prepared foods (hot pockets, Lean Cuisine, Michelina's, etc) because of the massive sodium content.

I also picked up one of those small paperback cookbooks from the checkout shelves; this one is called Diabetic Cooking. We've tried about ten recipes from there and they have ALL been really, really good.

I'll report back on anything that absolutely sucks, too.

[glass1/2full]

Sounds like it will benefit everyone in the household as well.
with everything!

[devilwhiterose]

Low Sugar Quaker Instant Oatmeal - Excellent
Low Sugar Quaker Granola Bars - Excellent
Sugar Free - SlimBear Klondike Ice cream - Excellent
Reduced Fat Wheat Thins - Excellent

Gestational Diabetes can't kill my sweettooth!

[SNK]

That's awesome! My Dad got diagnosed recently w/ diabetes and EVERYONE in my family has lost weight! They had to TOTALLY change all of the food in the house, etc. I always use reduced fat/sodium products. To be honest, I don't think it's too much of a difference of taste. I also use, I can't believe it's not butter... Personally, I think it tastes just as good as butter and it's MUCh better for you. I'm going to look into those little cookbook recipes in the check out isle. I love making recipes that are healthy but also taste delicious. There are many of them, it just seems like you have to really seek them out to find them

Good luck!!

[devilwhiterose]

Reduced Sodium or Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom is HORRIBLE to work with. It's watery and not good for casseroles and such.

[ily.mmw]

Originally Posted by devilwhiterose Low Sugar Quaker Instant Oatmeal - Excellent Low Sugar Quaker Granola Bars - Excellent Sugar Free - SlimBear Klondike Ice cream - Excellent Reduced Fat Wheat Thins - Excellent Gestational Diabetes can't kill my sweettooth!

DH loves those, I think that's all we ever buy.

[*Pamela*]

awesome!

Not that you asked for advice....but be careful with some reduced fat/Fat free items. They tend to add massive amounts of sugar to make up for the lack of flavor. Obviously not everything, just some items.

[SNK]

Originally Posted by devilwhiterose Reduced Sodium or Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom is HORRIBLE to work with. It's watery and not good for casseroles and such.

I've never noticed that happening before... I make casseroles all of the time w/ Crean of Mushroom Healthy Request... weird!

[devilwhiterose]

Originally Posted by SNK I've never noticed that happening before... I make casseroles all of the time w/ Crean of Mushroom Healthy Request... weird!

I tried green bean casserole and tuna casserole and they were really liquidy!

[eelo]

Originally Posted by *Pamela* awesome! Not that you asked for advice....but be careful with some reduced fat/Fat free items. They tend to add massive amounts of sugar to make up for the lack of flavor. Obviously not everything, just some items.

Yeah, I know. We're pretty good at reading the nutritional statements, though.

Also, things that claim to be sugar-free, usually have sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, etc), which dont' help diabetics too much.

I might have to add some of the diabetic recipes to the recipe forum here. I am really surprised at how good this stuff is. I've always been a pretty good cook so I've known how to prepare decent emals, but now that we HAVE to eat them, it's great to find recies that use ingredients I hadn't thought of putting together before.