X

Article updated on April 14, 2022 at 9:00 AM PDT

12 Cookbooks With Low-Sugar Recipes for Diabetic, Paleo and Keto Dieters

Regardless of why you're cutting sugar and carbs, there are lots of cookbooks out there to help make it taste great.

Our Experts

Written by 
Chowhound staff
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Chowhound staff
Chowhound has been a home for food explorers since 1997, helping the food and drink-curious to become more knowledgeable enthusiasts, both at home and while traveling. Join our community of passionate experts, eaters, and home cooks and find all the resources, information, inspiration, and support you could want in the kitchen and abroad.
Why You Can Trust CNET
16171819202122232425+
Years of Experience
14151617181920212223
Hands-on Product Reviewers
6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000
Sq. Feet of Lab Space

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Our Picks

$11 at Amazon
diabetic-cookbook-amazon
by Lori Zanini RD CDE
Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed
View details
View details
$16 at Amazon
betty-crocker-diabetes-cookbook
by Betty Crocker
Betty Crocker Diabetes Cookbook
View details
View details
$6 at Amazon
12-week-diabetes-cookbooks
by Linda Gassenheimer
The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook
View details
View details
$16 at Amazon
no-fuss-diabetes-dessert-cookbook
by Linda Gassenheimer
No-Fuss Diabetes Desserts
View details
View details
$10 at Amazon
5-ingredient-keto-cookbook
by Jen Fisch
The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook
View details
View details
$15 at Amazon
keto-instant-pot-cookbook
by Anna Hunley
The Family-Friendly Keto Instant Pot Cookbook
View details
View details
$11 at Amazon
keto-meal-prep-cookbook
by Liz Williams
Keto Meal Prep
View details
View details
$18 at Amazon
keto-ice-cream-cookbook
by Adele Baker
Keto Ice Cream
View details
View details
$12 at Amazon
paleo-spiralizer-cookbook
by Megan Flynn Peterson
The Big 10 Paleo Spiralizer Cookbook
View details
View details
$9 at Amazon
beginner-paleo-cookbook
by John Chatham
Paleo For Beginners
View details
View details
$19 at Amazon
against-all-grains-cookbook
by Danielle Walker
Danielle Walker's Against All Grain
View details
View details
$27 at Amazon
paleo-baking-cookbook
by Elizabeth Barbone
World's Easiest Paleo Baking
View details
View details

A keto lifestyle requires a low-sugar diet. hile there could be many more reasons to keep the sugar levels in your food on the lower side, you should look at cookbooks, which make healthy eating simple and delicious. My friend was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Adjusting to her new eating lifestyle has been tough, especially since she loves trying new foods and taking pictures of her delectable food experiences. After her diagnosis, I bought her a diabetic-friendly cookbook to show her that even with a restricted diet, she can still be adventurous with foods.

While conducting research for my friend, I discovered that people with diabetes follow similar guidelines and rules to those on paleo and keto diets -- low sugar and carbs. So, whether you need to cut sugar out for health reasons, are looking to experiment with a new diet or are expanding your cooking ideas in general, these are the best low-sugar cookbooks worth checking out.

$11 at Amazon

by Lori Zanini RD CDE

Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed

This cookbook was written by a dietician and diabetes expert, so it includes the newest information we have about managing diabetes in the context of the meals you eat. It includes both meal plans and hundreds of recipes that will prevent any serious side effects a newly diagnosed diabetic may be afraid of. It also helps that, even though they are low in sugar and carbs, these meals -- like the salmon, quinoa and avocado salad and herbed chicken meatball wraps -- are delicious.

$16 at Amazon

by Betty Crocker

Betty Crocker Diabetes Cookbook

Anything Betty Crocker is bound to be flavorful, homey and delicious. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, let this cookbook be a reminder that you don't have to give up any of your favorite meals. In this book, you'll find plenty of breakfasts, lunches and dinners (including blueberry-almond brown bread, pork chops with raspberry-chipotle sauce and herbed rice and even pumpkin-chocolate chip cookies) you can eat until you're good and full.

$6 at Amazon

by Linda Gassenheimer

The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook

While this cookbook is similar to the others in that it contains well-rounded and health-conscious recipes for a diabetic, I like that it also contains budgeting advice. With more and more doctor's appointments, treatments and equipment to pay for just to keep your diabetes under control, money may be tighter than you'd like to admit. With a built-in budgeting guide, this book assures you that you don't have to break the bank for your new dietary lifestyle.

$16 at Amazon

by Linda Gassenheimer

No-Fuss Diabetes Desserts

It simply is not possible to go without dessert. Luckily, there are tons of cookbooks like this one that focus just on desserts. But don't worry -- all the recipes in this book are perfectly healthy for diabetics. The sweets in this book -- which include mocha fudge cake and peach crumble -- are healthy and delicious and the recipes are easy to follow.

$10 at Amazon

by Jen Fisch

The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook

Even though we are now moving into keto (and, eventually, paleo) cookbooks, I just want to mention that most -- if not all -- of the recipes in the following cookbooks are healthy for diabetics as well. Keto and paleo diets follow a low-carb and low-sugar regimen that coincides with diabetic diets. However, if you are unsure, definitely consult your doctor and make sure you're monitoring your blood levels.

This cookbook is great because all the recipes are keto-friendly, but they are also perfect for anyone who's on-the-go and perpetually busy. You'll find recipes with five or fewer ingredients, meals that can be made in 30 minutes or less and entire meals that can all be prepared in one pot, including a BLT breakfast salad, garlic butter shrimp and berry cheesecake fat bombs.

$15 at Amazon

by Anna Hunley

The Family-Friendly Keto Instant Pot Cookbook

Instant Pots remain wildly popular because they are so versatile in how you can use them -- and, of course, you can make amazing meals with little to no effort. If you got an Instant Pot and are now afraid that your new diet may limit your ability to use it, have no fear! This cookbook has plenty of Instant Pot recipes the whole family will love -- like deep-dish pizza dip, cauliflower and bacon chowder and southern sugar pie -- that are all keto-friendly, so you won't get bored on your diet any time soon.

$11 at Amazon

by Liz Williams

Keto Meal Prep

Meal prepping is a huge part of dieting. You prepare well-portioned, healthy meals so that you have lunch and dinner for the week and you're not tempted to eat fast food on the run. When you start your keto diet, you may also want to start meal prepping to ensure that you're sticking to your plan. Try this cookbook that focuses on the meal prepping process and is in line with the keto diet. Recipes include ham and cheese breakfast muffins, Italian zucchini boats and pork burrito bowls.

$18 at Amazon

by Adele Baker

Keto Ice Cream

While the title of this cookbook only mentions the keto diet, it is advertised as perfectly good for paleo and diabetic diets as well. Even people on seriously restricted diets need a little something sweet every now and again -- and what better than ice cream as we head into the summer months? Make healthy ice cream and frozen treats including strawberry cheesecake pops, apricot sherbet and chocolate avocado ice cream with this book.

$12 at Amazon

by Megan Flynn Peterson

The Big 10 Paleo Spiralizer Cookbook

Like Instant Pots, spiralizers have gotten a lot of attention in the past few years. Spiralizers allow you to finely slice vegetables so that they have the consistency and appearance of noodles. People replace regular pasta (which is high in carbs) with these vegetable noodles for a healthier, paleo-friendly option, which works great for keto and diabetic diets, too. Featuring several different vegetables -- including beets, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, turnips, cabbage and bell peppers. With recipes including creamy fettuccine alfredo, turnip curly fries and cucumber noodle poke bowls, this cookbook will help you master your spiralizer while sticking to your diet in the most delicious way possible.

$9 at Amazon

by John Chatham

Paleo For Beginners

I'm a big fan of "for beginners" cookbooks because they do a great job of teaching you about your new diet and offering delicious meals that motivate you to stick to it. So whether you've just been diagnosed with diabetes or you're thinking of starting the paleo diet, this cookbook (with recipes including high-protein grain-free burgers, buffalo chicken wraps and paleo waffles) is a great investment.

$19 at Amazon

by Danielle Walker

Danielle Walker's Against All Grain

This cookbook, in addition to paleo meals, shopping lists and quick and easy-to-follow recipes (there's barbecue salmon with peach salsa, Peruvian-style chicken, meyer lemon curd cakes and no-cook chocolate pudding), contains additional options for gluten- and dairy-free meals. So even if you're just trying to avoid dairy, you'll find something great in this cookbook -- with slow cooker, one-pot and 30-minute recipes too.

$27 at Amazon

by Elizabeth Barbone

World's Easiest Paleo Baking

You can't possibly think I forgot about dessert! This paleo-friendly cookbook is full of decadent and tasty cakes, cookies, doughnuts, waffles and more -- including vermont maple doughnuts, gingerbread pancakes and celebration chocolate cake -- all without grains, gluten, dairy or refined sugar. Who says you can't satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to your diet?