Are Baked Beans Good for Diabetics?

Canned baked beans are often high in sugar and salt, so it’s best to choose unsweetened and low-sodium varieties. You can also make your own baked beans at home, which gives you more control over the ingredients.

Here are some tips for choosing and preparing baked beans for diabetics:

• Choose unsweetened and low-sodium canned beans.
• If you’re making your own baked beans, use unsweetened canned beans and low-sodium or no-salt-added ingredients.
• Add fiber-rich vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and onions, to your baked beans.
• Limit the amount of fat in your baked beans by using lean ground beef or turkey, or by using vegetable oil instead of butter or bacon grease.

Baked beans can be a healthy and satisfying side dish for people with diabetes, but it’s important to choose the right kind and to prepare them in a way that minimizes the amount of sugar, salt, and fat.

Here is a recipe for healthy baked beans that you can try:

Ingredients:

• 1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup low-sodium barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup low-sodium ketchup
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
3. Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until heated through.
5. Serve warm.

This recipe makes about 8 servings. Each serving has about 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 7 grams of protein.