Though we learn about diabetes in secondary school biology lessons, understanding the large-scale implications of developing the illness later in life isn’t something that we can necessarily grasp as children.
One thing is for sure, diet and lifestyle choices are essential to managing the glucose-related condition when it’s developed in adulthood.
What’s the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
According to the NHS, Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, the hormone created by our bodies to help manage blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is far more common than Type 1 and it’s when the body either does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin properly.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition that someone is born with, whereas Type 2 diabetes is developed later in life. Both types are treatable, though not wholly curable. However, it’s often said that Type 2 diabetes is ‘reversible’. While this doesn’t mean that the condition is completely cured, it does mean that glucose levels can return to a non- or pre-diabetes range with the help of large-scale lifestyle changes.
In the UK, over 90 per cent of all adults with diabetes have Type 2.
What’s pre-diabetes?
Otherwise referred to as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, pre-diabetes is when blood sugar levels in the body are above the normal range but aren’t high enough to be considered diabetes. With the help and guidance of doctors paired with changes to diet and lifestyle, those diagnosed with pre-diabetes can prevent the condition from becoming Type 2 diabetes.
What exactly causes Type 2 diabetes?
Though the exact reason behind why the body suddenly does not produce insulin or doesn’t react to it properly, obesity and inactivity are believed to be key contributing factors. This is because it is thought fat cells are more resistant to insulin and can cause Beta cell dysfunction. (Beta cells are the cells that make insulin).
Should changes in diet differ between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics?
There are no lifestyle changes that can help treat Type 1 diabetes and daily insulin shots – whether through an electronic pump or manual needle – become a part of daily life. As a result, those with Type 1 diabetes can typically enjoy the same healthy diet as those without the condition. With Type 2, lifestyle and diet changes are essential for lowering the risk of illnesses linked to diabetes such as heart disease and stroke.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best cookbooks for diabetics to help you make delicious and easy recipes. Keep scrolling to improve your lifestyle and manage your health effectively, one meal at a time.
Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Cookbook
A guide to taking preventative action against diabetes, Vickie De Beer and Kath Megaw’s authoritative guide is part medical handbook and part recipe book. It includes a very handy green and red food list to help you understand what to shop for on a purely ingredients-based level, before delving into a variety of gluten and sugar-free recipes for the whole family to enjoy.
You can also enjoy seasonal meal guides with dedicated summer and winter recipes. Fan favourites include superfast omelettes, haddock frittata, steak tortillas and chocolate freezer fudge.
Buy now £11.55, Amazon
Can I Eat That?
For an entirely conversational guide to eating as a Type 2 diabetic which is void of medical jargon, look no further than Jenefer Roberts’ cult favourite Can I Eat That? It provides a soft and comforting landing pad for those who have recently been diagnosed, before delving into over 100 recipes for healthy, nutritious and enjoyable meals.
Buy now £4.86, Amazon
The Hairy Bikers Eat to Beat Type 2 Diabetes
Si King and the late Dave Myers collaborated on this brilliant Type 2 diabetes cookbook back in 2020 in an effort to prove that you can still eat delicious food while staying healthy and adjusting your diet to suit a new, improved lifestyle – and the bestseller certainly succeeded.
There’s a great section on snacking foods and the main body of the book is split up into recipes to enjoy at different times throughout the day.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Your Simple Guide to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes
Written in easy-to-digest, plain language, Professor Roy Taylor explains how research shows that reducing the amount of internal fat in the pancreas and liver is key to potentially reverting to a pre-diabetic state.
Though the Professor of Medicine and Metabolism at Newcastle University doesn’t explicitly provide recipes, it’s a must-have piece of literature for those looking to understand the basics of their diagnosis. It’s split up into three explanatory sections, with the third offering a ‘1-2-3 approach’ to recovering your health, enjoying life and staying diabetes-free.
Buy now £6.47, Amazon
Glucose Revolution
Written by biochemist Jessie Inchauspé, Glucose Revolution explains why blood sugar spikes are so bad for us, and how to flatten those dangerous levels with simple, whole-food recipes. It’s a cookbook not just for diabetics, but for those looking to transform their relationship with food and understand how it impacts our internal biology.
Fascinatingly, Inchauspé explains why glucose cravings are more extreme in the 21st century than ever before before providing 10 easy-to-follow hacks for transforming glucose curves.
Buy now £8.89, Amazon
The Glucose Goddess Method
Another bestseller by Jessie Inchauspé, this time with over 100 new and improved recipes. In this book, the founder of the Glucose Goddess movement offers a four-week, step-by-step program for integrating simple and science-backed solutions to managing blood sugar.
It’s void of any nasty calorie-counting lingo and even includes a recipe for ‘ice-cream breakfast’ – proving yet again that diabetics can still enjoy delicious, varied foods.
Buy now £17.79, Amazon
The 30 Minute Diabetes Cookbook
Written by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi following Giancarlo’s own experience with Type 2 diabetes, the husband and wife duo provide a selection of exceptional family-friendly recipes which have helped Giancarlo keep his diabetes in remission for over eight years.
Options include speedy weeknight meals and no-cook recipes which can be thrown together in just minutes. We love the ‘Store cupboard Heroines’ section, which provides a wonderful guide to avoiding stodgy ready meals for the rest of time.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
