ABOUT THE BOOK

Packed with more than 125 full-flavored recipes with fresh, modern appeal, this delectable plant-based cookbook and eating guide is ideal for preventing and managing diabetes and pre-diabetes. It features plant-based main dishes, party apps, salads, soups, desserts, drinks, snacks, bowls and skillet meals, menus, and hundreds of helpful tips that will appeal to all eaters, not just vegetarians. 

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, you are aware of the health risks and the importance of eating right. A plant-based eating approach can help you manage your diagnosis and live well. This does not mean you need to shelve your taste buds or spend all your free time chopping and prepping. As award-winning cookbook author Jackie Newgent—a registered dietitian nutritionist and classically trained chef—demonstrates, you can enjoy scrumptious, healthful meals without spending hours in the kitchen!

With abundant tips and simple menus, you’ll discover a flexible, diabetes-friendly recipe guide that is not overly focused on calories, carb-counting, or other strict parameters. There’s no need to have a separate menu for your family and friends, including during the holidays. Consider this a pleasurable culinary adventure for the veggie-curious. Everyone will benefit from the deliciousness The Plant-Based Diabetes Cookbook will bring to the table—and the good health it will bring to your life!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, is a plant-forward culinary nutritionist, classically trained chef, award-winning cookbook author, professional recipe developer, media personality, spokesperson, and food writer. She’s the author of six cookbooks, including The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook and 1,000 Low-Calorie Recipes. Jackie is a Forbes Health Advisory Board member and contributor to Diabetes Food Hub. She is a former national media spokesperson for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and cooking instructor at The Institute of Culinary Education. Jackie has made guest appearances on dozens of television news shows, including Good Morning America. She resides in Brooklyn, New York. For more, visit jackienewgent.com.

TALKING POINTS

-The facts and stats of the diabetes epidemic in America:

Diabetes: In the US, more than 1 out of 10 people (37 million) have diabetes. But nearly 1 out of 4 adults ( 8.5 million people) are undiagnosed.

Prediabetes: Almost 4 out of 10 adults in the US (96 million people aged 18 years or older) have prediabetes. Nearly half of those aged 65 years or older have prediabetes

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html 

-How plant-based eating can fit into a diabetes eating plan and increase longevity:

Following a plant-based eating pattern can have significant benefits for protecting your health. In fact, a review of the research suggests that when following a plant-based diet, people with type 2 diabetes were able to better manage their condition, including their HbA1c (more commonly known as A1C) levels, total cholesterol, and weight, as well as boost their mood and quality of life.

And, importantly, just eating “plant-based” in general isn’t the key … rather, a plant-based diet rich in healthier plant foods is linked to longevity (a lower mortality risk).

-The benefits of including a registered dietitian nutritionist as part of your diabetes management team:

Instruction and counseling on nutrition therapy by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can be especially beneficial for someone with diabetes. Working in coordination with your diabetes care team, they can create an evidence-based, high-quality, plant-based eating plan that’s individualized to meet your specific diabetes needs, while helping you manage a healthy weight.

-How to ingredient-swap to make your favorite foods healthier as a person with diabetes or pre-diabetes, especially leading into the holidays:

Refer to “The Plant-Based Ingredient Swap Guide” for 25 ways to do this. Also, here are a few holiday-focused specifics:

• For mashed potatoes: Try going halfies–a mashed combination that’s half roasted cauliflower and half cooked potatoes. It’ll keep the carbs in check … deliciously!
• For sausage (such as in stuffing): In place of sausage, use chopped baby bella mushrooms or crumbled tempeh that’s sautéed and well-seasoned with black pepper, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, and thyme.
• For gravy: Enjoy drizzling foods with a blended veggie soup, like pureed carrot soup. It’ll add more color appeal to the plate, too.
  
  

-The connection between carbs and blood glucose management

The carbohydrates you eat do have a direct impact on your blood glucose. Therefore, it’s helpful to spread out your carb intake throughout the day and try to steer clear of carb-rich meals. In other words, instead of 2 cups of pasta in a bowl, have 1 cup of pasta tossed with 1 or more cups of non-starchy veggies in that bowl. The goal isn’t to go low carb; it’s to eat the right amount of carbs for your body.

-Benefits of plant-based eating beyond diabetes management:

Potential benefits include:

1. Healthier weight
2. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, including improved blood cholesterol and blood pressure
3. Reduced risk of certain cancers
4. Boosts brain health
5. Lower risk of all causes of mortality (boosts longevity!)