Diabetes-Friendly

What to Cook for a Type 2 Diabetes–Friendly Valentine’s Day

Skip the restaurant and make these special-occasion-worthy dinners at home.
Bittersweet chocolate truffles in a dish of cocoa powder.
Photo by Peden + Munk

Choosing recipes for a Type 2 Diabetes–friendly Valentine’s Day dinner doesn’t have to feel restrictive. Below you’ll find lots of ideas for a celebratory feast, including elegant chocolate desserts to cap off your meal. Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND, used nutrition analysis software to calculate the macronutrients (especially carbohydrates) in each of these recipes and select these options; be sure to talk to your care provider about whether these dishes are right for your Valentine's Day meal.

Head this way for more diabetes–friendly recipes →

  • Lightly breaded chicken cutlets on a dinerstyle oval plate scattered with capers chopped parsley and lemon wedges.
    Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Heather Greene, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    1/9

    Chicken Piccata

    Skinless, boneless chicken gets dredged in seasoned flour, sautéed in butter, and smothered in a tangy lemon pan sauce in this old-school classic. It's restaurant fare that can absolutely be made at home.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    2/9

    Seared Scallops With Brown Butter and Lemon Pan Sauce

    This impressive scallop dish is no stress to make, so you can focus on spending time with your valentine.

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  • Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova
    3/9

    Fall-Apart Caramelized Cabbage

    Tender cabbage in spiced tomato broth is a vegetarian option that even meat lovers will adore.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    4/9

    Pickled Shrimp

    Kick off your meal with an elegant, make-ahead appetizer.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    7/9

    Date Night Pork Chop

    This sumptuous pork chop is a little higher in fat than is generally recommended for everyday diabetes-friendly fare; just serve a smaller serving and balance the meal with extra vegetables.

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  • Photo by Peden + Munk
    8/9

    Bittersweet-Chocolate Truffles

    In general, you're looking for sweets with under 35g carbs per serving when creating a Valentine's Day menu that's diabetes-friendly. Each bite of these chocolate truffles is so intensely chocolaty that you don't need much to feel satisfied. And making them is as simple as can be.

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  • Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell
    9/9

    Chocolate-Chestnut Mousse

    This mousse can be made ahead in your blender to keep Valentine's Day easy.

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