It's summer, and grill fever grips the nation once again. It's time for picnics and barbeques: at home, at the park, visiting friends, co-workers, relatives. Now, be honest: does a part of you dread the next invitation because you (or your child, your partner, or a guest) face dietary restrictions? If so, let me just say this: you have my sympathy. You see, I do not have diabetes, but I don't eat meat. No, there is no medical reason. But does it impact my social life? You bet!Diabetics must watch what they eat. But this is easier said than done when it's BBQ season. So much tasty food that you mustn't eat! And then there's the challenge of making dishes that are diabetic-friendly, but that don't scream "I Have a Medical Condition!" to other party-goers. Hosts and guests alike can always turn to the Web for inspiration. This recipe for Roasted Veggie Chili from the Kraft Foods website looks good. It uses BOCA and lots of veggies instead of meat. I love Boca burgers, but beware, the fake meat deal could turn off your guests depending on how traditional their tastes run. (I've tried to accept that my fake meat creeps them out as much as their real-deal meat makes me shudder.)
For a more elegant affair, try the Diabetic Gourmet recipe for Grilled Ginger Tuna. Their website says it's great for guys who are dyed-in-the-wool Red Meat Men. It's satisfyingly big and meaty with a juicy marinade, but much healthier than a steak. On the other hand, this would only suit a smaller gathering of adults because of the price of those tuna steaks! This site also has some terrific suggestions for scrumptious yet filling summer salads.
Other sites with summer recipes worth checking out include DLife, Better Homes and Gardens and AllRecipes.
Bottom line: the best recipe for relaxed summer BBQs? Plan on a good mixture of dishes. Don't do just burgers and coleslaw. Do provide at least one filling and healthy diabetic-friendly main dish and a couple of types of snacks too. One could be super-simple, like a fruit plate. This is your best insurance policy to ensure everyone chows down happily and leaves content!
