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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.

Rainbow layer cake
Rainbow layer cake
Chowhound Staff
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Chowhound Staff
5 min read
$16 at Amazon
diabetic-cookbook-amazon
Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed
by Lori Zanini RD CDE
$16 at Amazon
$13 at Amazon
betty-crocker-diabetes-cookbook
Betty Crocker Diabetes Cookbook
by Betty Crocker
$13 at Amazon
$10 at Amazon
12-week-diabetes-cookbooks
The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook
by Linda Gassenheimer
$10 at Amazon
$21 at Amazon
no-fuss-diabetes-dessert-cookbook
No-Fuss Diabetes Desserts
by Linda Gassenheimer
$21 at Amazon
$13 at Amazon
5-ingredient-keto-cookbook
The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook
by Jen Fisch
$13 at Amazon
$19 at Amazon
keto-instant-pot-cookbook
The Family-Friendly Keto Instant Pot Cookbook
by Anna Hunley
$19 at Amazon
$10 at Amazon
keto-meal-prep-cookbook
Keto Meal Prep
by Liz Williams
$10 at Amazon
$22 at Amazon
keto-ice-cream-cookbook
Keto Ice Cream
by Adele Baker
$22 at Amazon
$10 at Amazon
paleo-spiralizer-cookbook
The Big 10 Paleo Spiralizer Cookbook
by Megan Flynn Peterson
$10 at Amazon
$8 at Amazon
beginner-paleo-cookbook
Paleo For Beginners
by John Chatham
$8 at Amazon
$18 at Amazon
against-all-grains-cookbook
Danielle Walker's Against All Grain
by Danielle Walker
$18 at Amazon
$20 at Amazon
paleo-baking-cookbook
World's Easiest Paleo Baking
by Elizabeth Barbone
$20 at Amazon

There are various reasons to have a low-sugar diet, and not only because you're following a keto lifestyle. These cookbooks make healthy eating simple and delicious, so you can always enjoy mealtime.

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.

diabetic-cookbook-amazon
Amazon

Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed

by Lori Zanini RD CDE

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.

betty-crocker-diabetes-cookbook
Amazon

Betty Crocker Diabetes Cookbook

by Betty Crocker

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.

12-week-diabetes-cookbooks
Amazon

The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook

by Linda Gassenheimer

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.

no-fuss-diabetes-dessert-cookbook
Amazon

No-Fuss Diabetes Desserts

by Linda Gassenheimer

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.

5-ingredient-keto-cookbook
Amazon

The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook

by Jen Fisch

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.

keto-instant-pot-cookbook
Amazon

The Family-Friendly Keto Instant Pot Cookbook

by Anna Hunley

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.

keto-meal-prep-cookbook
Amazon

Keto Meal Prep

by Liz Williams

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.

keto-ice-cream-cookbook
Amazon

Keto Ice Cream

by Adele Baker

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.

paleo-spiralizer-cookbook
Amazon

The Big 10 Paleo Spiralizer Cookbook

by Megan Flynn Peterson

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.

beginner-paleo-cookbook
Amazon

Paleo For Beginners

by John Chatham

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.

against-all-grains-cookbook
Danielle Walker

Danielle Walker's Against All Grain

by Danielle Walker

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.

paleo-baking-cookbook
Amazon

World's Easiest Paleo Baking

by Elizabeth Barbone

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?

More healthy eating and wellness essentials

This story has been updated from an earlier version originally written by Toniann Pasqueralle for CNET's sister site Chowhound, which is no longer online.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.