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Keeping a good stock of low carb diabetic items in the pantry is the key to making stress free low carb meals.
Even if you only have a few fresh vegetables on hand, your pantry supply means you can always grab a can of coconut milk, or canned tomatoes, and a few spices, and whip up a sauce of some kind.
Stocking Your Pantry
Store all of your flours, nuts, and any other opened packages in glass jars or containers to keep them fresher for longer. It’s also a nice way to keep your pantry organized, too.
This list is not an extensive pantry list but gives you an idea on the types of things to keep handy. And, we’ll share a few tips on finding some of the best items at the store.
Oils/fats
Different oils have different health properties so keep a variety of healthy oils and fats on hand to use.
- Avocado oil
- Virgin olive oil – most popular, and super healthy
- Macadamia nut oil
- Sesame oil – great for adding flavor to a stir fry
- Butter
- Coconut oil
- Flaxseed oil – good for salad dressings, keep in the fridge
Oils that come in clear plastic bottles are generally low grade crappy oils. Clear glass bottles are better. But the best quality oils will always come in dark glass bottles.
Condiments
You can make your own condiments, which is always going to be healthier. But let’s face it, most of us won’t and prefer easier options.
Condiments are useful to help us give food flavor. They might not always be 100% carb free, but used in moderation, they can really contribute to the tastiness of foods and keep things interesting.
Always read the labels to help you choose the best low carb condiments you can find.
Mayonnaise (real/ full fat) – look for organic types made from olive or high oleic sunflower oils and containing the lowest amounts of sugar and ingredients overall. For example, a low fat mayonnaise is not good – these will generally be higher in sugar and contain more additives and preservatives.
And, a mayonnaise with 15 different ingredients is not a good option either. A base of olive or high oleic sunflower oils can be hard to find too, so the next best option is canola oil. Avoid soybean and generic vegetable oils, as these contribute to inflammation in diabetes.
Vinegars – balsamic, red wine, white wine, apple cider vinegar – all great for making salad dressings.
Salad Dressings (sugar-free) – these are hard to find and super easy to make at home anyways. But you can find some good salad dressings. Beware of low fat, no fat salad dressings. Most of the time these are rubbish.
Ketchup (low-carb) – the ‘traditional’ kind is high in sugar, so either make your own tomato sauce substitute, or get a low carb sugar free ketchup.
BBQ Sauce – again, be wary of the traditional high sugar varieties. But you can get sugar free, low carb BBQ sauce.
Mustard – great for salad dressings, adding to sauces for meals, or slopping on top of your steak or meat patty.
Hot Sauce
Tamari (wheat free soy sauce) or Soy Sauce
Curry Paste – green curry, red curry, massaman curry
Canned/ Jarred Goods
Capers
Olives – black, green, kalamata – make great snacks.
Salsa – check the labels for additional ingredients and choose a salsa low in sugar/carbs.
Nut Butters (all-natural and unsweetened) – peanut, almond, cashew, hazelnut.
Sesame paste/ tahini
Tomato goods – canned tomatoes – no added sugar or salt, tomato paste, tomato puree, all-natural pasta sauce.
Canned fish – canned tuna, canned salmon, sardines.
Coconut milk or coconut cream
Pumpkin puree
Sundried tomatoes
Pickles
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Breads
Thanks to many great food companies, we can now find low carb breads to enjoy.
You can also make your own low carb breads, which is very easy.
When you join us as a VIP Member, you can access our Low Carb Breads Masterclass. Most of the breads take just 5 minutes prep in a food processor then put in the oven to bake!
Of course, there are some store-bought diabetic-friendly breads as well, you just need to know how to choose them—read labels for lower carb, higher fiber options.
Chips and Snacks
Chips and crackers are convenient but often packed with carbs, unhealthy oils, and artificial ingredients. With the right alternatives, you can enjoy a satisfying crunch without the carb overload.
- Cheese Crisps: Made by baking or frying cheese until crispy, these are a great chip substitute. You can also purchase reasonable cheese crisps such as Sonoma Cheese Crisps or ParmCrisps.
- Snack boxes: These are great but it can’t just be any snack box. You have to be mindful to choose quality snack boxes that help your loved ones maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Bunny James specialty snack box filled with healthy low sugar chips, candy, jerky and nuts.
- Protein bars: Offer an appetizing snack. Try Power Punch protein bars in all 14 delicious flavors for an energizing daily snack.
- Pork Rinds: A crunchy, carb free snack or breading substitute.
- Beef Jerky: Choose sugar-free and nitrate-free options.
- Chocolate: Look for dark chocolate with 85% cocoa or higher. Or try sugar free chocolates such as Luxurious Belgian sugar free indulgent truffles or unsweetened organic rich dark chocolate.
Pasta and Noodles
Traditional pasta and noodles are some of the highest carbohydrate foods, which leads to blood sugar spikes and difficultly regulating blood sugar levels.
Here’s some great alternatives to keep in your pantry:
Shirataki Noodles (Miracle Noodles): These are made from konjac root, are virtually carb free, and mimic the texture of traditional noodles.
Palmini Noodles: Made from hearts of palm, these are low carb and work well in creamy or tomato-based dishes.
Pasta Elbows or Fettuccine: A low carb option to make a macaroni cheese or a creamy bacon and mushroom dish.
Soybean or Edamame Noodles: High in protein and fiber, these noodles are made from soybeans or edamame and offer a firmer texture, making them an excellent alternative for traditional pasta dishes.
Kelp Noodles: Made from kelp (a type of seaweed), these translucent, slightly crunchy noodles are extremely low in carbs and calories, making them a great option for stir-fries, salads, or soups.
Final Thoughts
While not an exhaustive pantry list, there are lots of foods to choose from when following a healthy low carb diabetes diet.
Replacing high carb staples with low carb alternatives may take some adjustment, but with the right pantry items, you can still enjoy a wide variety of delicious and satisfying meals.
These substitutions ensure that your diet remains blood sugar-friendly while still feeling indulgent and comforting!
Want access to extensive lists and detailed guides of foods? JOIN US AS A MEMBER.
Anna
On mayonnaise DUKES has no sugar and taste great!!!
Wanda rainy
Thank you for sharing this my husband was diagnosed is September with type 2 diabetes. And we have had no help on what food he can have and just this article has help a lot.
Dr Jedha
Hi Wanda, It can be overwhelming with a new diagnosis so that’s great to hear you found the info helped. Grab a free copy of our recommended food list, that will help you as well.
Kity
Thanks a great help when doing grocery list 👍
Cheryl Hanscom
So..when you depend on a food pantry ,you are not going to get much in the way of healthy pastas etc. How do you advise people who have regular pastas,white rice etc?
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
While this can certainly be a tough situation to navigate, I would recommend trying to use smaller portions of pastas and rice, and increase the portion of other lower carb items that are available to you (ie. proteins, chicken and tuna salad, nuts, canned vegetables). It may also be worthwhile to ask if there are any other resources the food pantry can connect you with – there may be a community outreach person or social worker that has other resources for accessing more fresh foods.
Sharon
There are chickpea pastas out there. Also, spaghetti squash is a good alternative.
Patty
We have substituted cauliflower- finely chopped and toasted in a skillet or the oven for rice. There are keto noodles in the health food store but they are very expensive. Try making zoodles. Spiral sliced zucchini.
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Love the creativity and ability to try new things!
Claire
I try to cut the amount of pasta by adding diced or shredded vegetables to the sauce .
onions ,peppers,mushrooms,carrots tinned stewed tomatoes zucchini .cheap frozen veggies work as well as the end scraps from other meals ex the mushroom stems the ends of the zucchini shredded the carrot tips diced small etc.
Dr Jedha
Exactly CLaire, adding vegetables to the sauce is a great strategy, or even better using vegetables as a base instead of pasta can be perfect and much better for blood sugar levels!
Ivan Gonsalves
interesting
Fiona
How many carbs do you recommend per meal and snack for prediabetics. Body Weight is not a problem 110lbs)
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Any reduction in carbohydrate should result in positive impact on your blood sugar. With that being said, we typically encourage between 80-120g carbs per day for people with diabetes. Check on this article for more info and the breakdown per meal and snacks.
Harikishan
Hi,
What is the glycemic load of Little Millets, barnyard millets, brown top millets, foxtail millets and Kodo millets?
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Millet is not something we recommend on a low carbohydrate diet, because like most grains the carbohydrate count if far too high. Millet also happens to have a higher glycemic load, but keep in mind that using glycemic index/glycemic load can be misleading for diabetes control. My recommendation would be to focus on total carbohydrates and select those foods with less carbohydrates for best blood sugar control.
Sharon Pugh
I am vegan. I wonder what you would substitute for beans? I use them to make burgers, chili, and a meatloaf. I also use lentils. What else should I substitute for meat? I also freaked out over not eating onions. THAT is going to take a lot of will power to give up.
I make organic while wheat bread and usually eat 1 slice a day. We are poor , and I can’t afford almond flour. Help!
Jedha: Nutritionist (MNutr)
You can eat beans in limited quantities, just be aware they are mostly carb, not protein, the same for lentils. You can also eat onions, they are a healthy food containing prebiotic components. Here is a list of vegetarian protein sources you will find helpful.
Terri
I’m prediabetic and also have gastroparesis, irritable bowel and GERD (5 esophageal dilations so far). I’ve been told to drastically limit vegetables and fruits. Carbs always make my stomach feel better. Any suggestions?
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
This sounds like a tough situation, Terri. Do you know why they told you to limit fruits and veggies? Was it possibly because of the fiber content? If so, you may find that there are certain vegetables you can tolerate such as carrots or string beans. It may also be easier to digest cooked vegetables versus raw. I would encourage you to trial small amounts of vegetables to see if there are certain ones or certain meals that you can tolerate.
As far as the carbs go… I would do my best to stay clear of these. Are you currently checking your blood sugar? You will likely observe a huge rise in blood sugar after a carb heavy meal. Make sure to eat lots of protein and healthy fat in the meantime, until you can find a good balance between your carbs and vegetable intake.
Terry
I am type 2 diabetic, but have added resistant starch to my diet. some times you just need a bit of Carbs.
Malorie: Dietitian (MS, RD, CLT)
Hi Terry, you can definitely have some carbs when you are on a low carb diet!
Kim
Hello!!! Have any of you heard of Scout & Cellar wines? I am a keto eater and love to still enjoy my wine and you can!! No added sugars at all!
Malorie: Dietitian (MS, RD, CLT)
Hi Kim,
Yes, I have heard of it but we still do not encourage frequent use of alcohol regardless of carb content.
Faye Bancroft
My mother is diabetic, so I`m familiar with alot of this, but my husband has just been diagnosed, and he’s in deep denial. I`fm going to go through this with him, since i am predibetic. Really hard right now!
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Diabetes is a shocking diagnosis for many! Continue to be supportive of your husband, and remind him that with the right treatment plan it can be managed. Another favorite food list of mine can be found over here.
Bintu
Hi I’m a 54yrs old woman whose weight has always been around 51-52kg but since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about a year ago I’ve been loosing weight trying to control my blood sugar. I’m now weighing about 46kg which is a course for concern for me and also my doctor.
Can u pls advice what diet will help me put on some weight without spiking my blood sugar?
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Check out this article for diet tips- the answer is healthy fat. You will get the most calories that have no effect on your blood sugar.
Nancy
I was type 2, pancreas is not functioning so now I am Type 1. I am not sure what to eat and what to avoid or limit. I am only on insulin before each meal and at bedtime. Please help.
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Hi Nancy, keep in mind that our website is specifically for patients with type 2 diabetes so not all the information you read is 100% applicable for your case. With that being said, there are still a lot of similarities between the two diagnoses, and the goal is ultimately the same: to maintain near normal blood glucose and A1c level. Diet can still play a huge role in your numbers as a Type 1, so it’s great that you’re interested in learning more about diet. We encourage a low carb diet, which includes all the foods mentioned is this post over here.
Glenda
Hi,
I need Type 2 food suggestions!! I’m not a big meat or fish eater, so it’s hard to find things I like. I prefer cereals, fruit, toast for breakfast. I need suggestions for light lunches and meatless dinners. I like all of the wrong things like pizza (no meat just black and green olives, and green peppers) and potatoes! Junk food!!
Any suggestions?!! Thank you!!
Glenda
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Even if you prefer to follow a vegetarian diet, there are still plenty of better options than the cereals and toast. Check out this list for a pretty detailed list of food suggestions.
You may also enjoy our weekly meal plans, so that you’ll receive new recipe ideas each week!
Carissa
I have a double whammy, t2 & deathly allergic to the Allium family, no onion or garlic of any kind. Because of that I found the best way to make ketchup is from paste, you get a better mouth feel and its by taste, pinch of sea salt to one small can, cider vinegar and water. We like ours with more bite so more vinegar. It holds for a month in the fridge.
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Sounds great!
Shanna Smith
Looking for some eating options for a picky diabetic. My husband is a meat and Mac and cheese guy normally. Does not do many vegetables. Only green beans and occasionally carrots when cooked with a roast. He has always eaten food plain with the exception of ketchup and steak sauce. He doesnt like the crunch of salad items. His idea of a salad is meat, eggs, and cheese. He loves Pizza, waffles, and fried chicken tenders and that’s about all.
Emily Incledon - Dietitian (MS, RD)
As far as the vegetables go, there are tons of vegetables to choose from and even more ways to prepare them, so while your husband might say he doesn’t like vegetables, realize there are probably a lot of combinations he likely hasn’t tried yet. There are also ways to recreate some of his favorite high carb foods, for example check out this low carb pizza, or another version on healthy pizza here – hopefully these are a hit with your husband!
Virginia Bugash
Could you make pizza crust using a low carb tortilla?
Jedha: Nutritionist (MNutr)
Yes absolutely Virgina!
Carol
Hi Jedha,
My mother has diabetes and no internet.. so I was wondering if I could get some information about diabetes for her.. she is a 79 year old woman.. she likes to drink port but all her kids tell her she shouldn’t be drinking because she is diabetic..
Please help..
Carol.
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Hi Carol, if you subscribe to our email you can download and print out our free resources. And you might also try exploring some of our resources to share info with her.
Sandra Hawkins
I have a problem with these insulin resistance diets when it comes to artificial sweeteners. We all know they are poison, but here they are….listed again.
Jedha
We inform people about the safest options based on scientific research Sandra, and some are more poison than others. For instance, artificial sweeteners such as Equal (aspartame), Acesulfame-K (Sweet One) and saccharin (Sweet’N Low) have many adverse effects and we never recommend them. Based on the evidence, the safest option is stevia with no known adverse effects compared to those previously mentioned. Second to these are the “tols” erythritol and xylitol, contained in products such as Truvia or natvia – though these are more processed options than a liquid stevia extract.
Our goal is to provide evidence-based information so that people can choose the best options. If you have a problem with them, you don’t have to include them at all, that’s your choice.
Margie
I’m new to this as well. My nutrisinous gave me a paper that has foods that are serparated. I’m still confused. Do i need 5 proteins? And it has fruit is that Ok to eat the servings that is given? Also it has a pic of a good meal which includes a starch. She wants me to get 30 to 45 grams of carbs a meal and 15 g for snacks. I’m so new to this please help
Jedha
Hi Margie, welcome to the confusing world of type 2 diabetic eating! Those type of recommendations do get shared a lot BUT they are pretty outdated. There is lots of new evidence to show that eating under 120 g per day is what works and we encourage our subscribers to eat around 80 g er day, and they are getting getting great results. Here’s the thing: the number one nutrient that influences your blood sugar and A1c is carbohydrates. You may hear that the type of carb is important, and while that’s true, it’s the amount of carbs you eat that will have the greatest impact. If you’ve been eating a high carb diet, lowering carbs can be a challenge at first. And since you’re new to this and probably don’t know what carbs are, I’d recommend you take our free 2 week carb course – you’ll definitely find this will help you get through the confusion much faster.
Overall, don’t panic, you’ll get your head around it soon enough. :)
Lisa Bowling
Didn’t find free 2 week course. Only 30 day and not free
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Oops, sorry about that Lisa. Can you please contact our support team who will be better able to assist you in finding what you are looking for.
Nadine Vice
Thanks for the suggestions, we are new to this also, but the ingredients and cooking ideas are great.
Jedha
Glad you found it helpful Nadine. Feel free to shout out if you have any questions. We’re always here to help!
Tess eagles
Is this low carb eating plan good for non diabetics as well especially women in 50s who are in or past menapause and find the belly fat a huge problem??
Jedha
Absolutely YES Tess – it’s a perfect way of eating to assist with post menopause and will help shed/control belly fat in most people.
Al
It said you shouldn’t have beans. Does that mean green beans, Lima beans and wax beans?
Jedha
Green beans are fine Al, along with sugar snap peas/ snow peas. The higher carb beans are the legume-type beans – lima, chickpeas, etc.
Linda Wando
You’ve just given me the info I was searching for. Thanks for the info, you made it easy to understand.
Pam
Why is alcohol consumption discouraged for t2 diabetics?
Jedha
That’s a great question Pam. We’ve got an entire post about alcohol coming out on May 2nd, so make sure you’re on our email list and you’ll receive it in our email. Much easier than explaining it here :)
Susan Scheller
As read about different things. I read that any kinds of beans knocks down the blood sugar down. An this has helped me.
Jedha
Beans aren’t really a low carb food but because they have so much soluble fiber the available carbs they contain enter the bloodstream slower. Studies have also shown they have a ‘second meal’ effect, which is what you’re describing – where they lower the blood sugar for hours after they have been eaten.
Still, not everyone is like this, which is why we recommend small portions. Some people still react with highs, so the best answer is always use your meter to determine what works for you. :)
Stacy
A few days ago my husband was hospitalized with onset of diabetes with a blood sugar at 750. So the info is still fresh in my mind. What the nutritionist said was all types of beans are starchy and should be eaten in moderation. Reason that bothered us is we live in Louisiana where red beans and rice are a staple. She told him they cannot be eaten regularly since they are considered starchy. But as you said everyone is different. He was basically a walking time bomb. So they may be being more strict since they had his labs when all this was said. Being new to all this, I am still learning. I was gestational and on insulin, but fine after the baby. Beans were at least once a week meal for us. Needless to say, they aren’t anymore.
Jedha
Stacy, if his blood sugar is high avoiding all starches to help bring it down and find balance is a very good idea. And yes, that means beans and rice are off the list. If you do eat beans, which are better than rice, stick to 1/4-1/2 cup per serve.
If can be tough, but there are plenty of other food choices to be had!
Victoria Haneveer
Why virgin olive oil? Just curious. I cook for my husband (Type II) with regular (not virgin) olive oil. I save the extra-virgin for salad dressings. I didn’t think extra-virgin was good for cooking with (plus it’s expensive). Just curious. Thanks
Jedha
Virgin olive oil is much better quality Victoria, which is why it is more expensive. Even for cooking it is more stable for heat and maintains it’s nutritional quality far better than cheap oils. There really is no comparison between the 2.
Rebecca Silvester
Actually There is a pasta now you can eat but unfortunately I don’t have a box here to get you the specs on it. I found it at Co-op in our freezer section and its called skinny pasta, they are low carb high protein. You cook from frozen, spaghetti takes about 3min in boiling water now by themselves they aren’t that great but once you add sauce it almost takes on the flavor of the sauce., however it is still about portion control. Pasta was always meant to be a side dish. This company also makes vegetable lasagna, ravioli, tortellini and fettuccini.
Jedha
Thanks for the info Rebecca. And you’re right, pasta was meant to be a side dish – fill up on the salad!
emily
We love pasta. Help me to keep full so i don’t snack.
Mornings are pretty good. I have to be careful with veges as i get irritable bowel syndrome. Dietician told me i need to have some carbs with every meal.
Jedha
We generally encourage low carb here Emily, which means no pasta unfortunately. It is so high in carbs that most people spike if they eat it and find it difficult to control blood sugar. Vegetables are carbohydrates too and are more nutrient dense, so the more of those you can eat the better.
Lotus
Quinoa Pasta doesn’t effect my blood sugar (:
Emily - Dietitian (MS, RD)
Very true that foods will effect individuals differently. We always recommend using your glucose meter to monitor how your body (blood sugar) reacts to certain foods. Be mindful that quinoa pasta still contains a hefty dose of carbs (likely over 40 grams per serving), so while it might not spike your sugar, it still may not be the most diabetic-friendly food. If you’re ever looking for a different pasta alternative to try, I suggest checking out this article!
sylvie senecal
Very good start to a healthy pantry!
Jedha
Yes it is :)