Diabetes Reversal Cookbook
Last year I worked long and hard on 150 recipes for Dr. Barnard’s new diabetes reversal cookbook, which officially releases tomorrow!
All the recipes in this book are whole foods, plant-based (oil-free). I had already been working on new recipes, toying with the idea of writing a new solo cookbook.
Soon after clueing up The Cheese Trap recipes, however, the good doctor offered me this opportunity to co-author on this new project.
I was off and running with recipe development and testing. I channeled many of these recipes I had already developed into this diabetes reversal cookbook, and developed many more.
At last, the book is here! I just received my copies, and thrilled to see it in print.
The book is beautifully produced. It’s hard cover, has a stunning photo insert, and a clean design with a font that’s ‘sturdy’ and clear.
The book’s introductory chapters written by Dr. Barnard cover what it means to reverse type 2 diabetes (and the distinction between type 1 and type 2), our healthy food groups and related nutritional highlights. Then my recipe chapters follow. It is a full cookbook (unlike The Cheese Trap which was a health book with supplemental recipes).
I love the recipes, and so did my testers. It was really important to me to maintain flavor integrity while meeting the nutritional parameters of Dr. Barnard’s diabetes program.
What are some of my very favorite recipes in the book?…
Might surprise you that one of my favorite recipes is the Rad Thai. Usually I select a bean-y dish… ok, or a dessert!… but man, the Rad Thai is something special. I don’t have the image from the book, but will update when I do! It rivals any restaurant pad thai, and far less greasy.
Some of my other favorites:
Breakfasts: Cauliflower Scramble, Lemon Pineapple Muffins, Baked Oatmeal Cups, Polenta Porridge with Berry Swirl, Champion Muesli, Rice Breakfast Bake
Dips/Sauces/Salads (I’m combining chapters here:) Lentil Baba Ghanoush, Warm Cheesy Sweet Potato Dip, Quinoa Kale Caesar with Cheesy Croutons, Moroccan Bean Salad
Sides/Soups (again, combining chapters): Soft-Baked Tamari Tofu (our kids devour this, not quite a side for them!), Moreish Lemony Quinoa, Sweet Potato Crisps (omg I devour these!), Cauliflower Chili, Robust Crimson Bean Stew, Thai Corn and Sweet Potato Stew (cover photo)
Mains: Righteous Lasagna, Lentil Bolognese, Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Thai Red Lentils, Green Chickpea Falafels, 10-Minute Stir-Fry (I make this often), BBQ Bean Burgers, Loaded Sweet Spuds (oh yeah!), Italian Bean Burgers, Tex-Mex Beans ‘n Rice, Lemon-Tahini Pasta Sauce with Spinach, Pizza! Pizza!, and of course… Rad Thai!
Desserts: Chicky Chocolate Cake with Magical Chocolate Frosting, Easy-As-Pie Baked Apples, Salted Caramel Sauce, Berry Bubble, Apple Crisp, Oatmeal Chippers
As you can see, there’s a lot of variety, and a lot to love! No ‘missing out’ with these balanced, nutrient-dense recipes.
Before I sign off, a final thank you to my recipe testers. I’ve thanked you in the book, and will do so again here. You helped me immensely, I’m tremendously grateful for your time and support.
This book releases on the 27th, and is available widely. Here are the links for the amazon US and amazon Canada if like to order.
I’ll share a recipe from the book in my next post. What would you like to see featured?
Sandra says
I might get this book even though many of the recipes use ingredients that runs up my husband’s BG. I will see if there are enough recipes that are doable for him to make it worth the purchase.
However, people, don’t fall for this reversing diabetes claim. Diabetes CANNOT be reversed and that is proven. Do your research. Yes, some people can reverse the symptoms, meaning they can get it under control, but that is not the same as not having the disease any more. If these people who claim they have “reversed” diabetes, which means they no longer have diabetes, if they went back to their previous way of eating, or just ate a Snickers bar, or quit using insulin, then they would find out real fast that they still have diabetes. They didn’t reverse it, they just got their symptoms under control. Not the same thing.
Dreena says
Type 2 diabetes can be reversed through diet. There are benefits for those with type 1 diabetes, but yes, that is different and not reversible. However, as the book explains (and the science shows) type 2 diabetes can be reversed with a low-fat plant-based diet. Best to you.
Sandra says
The SYMPTOMS of Type 2 diabetes can be reversed–for some people–or brought under control….. ONLY as long as one stays on the diet and IF their pancreas is still producing some insulin. Reversing the symptoms is not the same as curing diabetes. There is no cure. Those who think their diabetes is reversed will find out that it is not if they have a couple of Snickers bars and take their BG. Some who have “pre” diabetes/borderline diabetes will do better if they stick to the diet, and possibly not ever make it to the real diabetes stage. But those with full-blown diabetes cannot reverse it, even though many claim it can be reversed. Those are the ones trying to sell books and products.
Dreena says
Sandra, this is communicated in Dr. Barnard’s program, and the key IS to continue eating this diet. Not to be on a diet, rather to make this lifestyle change. Thank you.
Christine says
I am a diabetic. I was getting discouraged about the challenges of diet and then my daughter came home with this cookbook in hand! I was already well read on Dr. Barnard’s advice, so the cookbook was a logical choice. I have made some of the recipes and I want to say thank you! This cook book is unlike any other that I have seen in that it uses alternative flours that will be better for my blood sugar control!!! Awesome idea! ” Mi-So Love Avocado Toast” is absolutely delicious! – Miso is perfect on it! This morning I made “Polenta Porridge with Berry Swirl.” Loved it! The “Cauliflower Scramble” looks yummy as well as the traditional desserts that previously would have to be off my list of acceptable choices. Looking forward to trying many more of your wonderful recipes. You are helping me have a varied, delicious diet that is key in keeping me on track. I am determined to control diabetes by diet as Dr. Barnard advises. So far so good! You must have worked long and hard to create these recipes. Thank you!
Dreena says
Hi Christine, your feedback means a lot to me. I’m so, so pleased you are enjoying the recipes so far, and also feel very encouraged by this new dietary path. Thank you for sharing this cheer with me.
Deb says
Hi Dreena, I am patiently awaiting my copy! Appreciate all of your hard work and love that you put into each recipe. Does this book outline a weekly meal plan? They always help our family stay on track and it’s easy to create a shopping list tool Thank you.
Dreena says
Great, thanks Deb! This book doesn’t have a meal plan. I’m not sure why they didn’t consider that as an option. Hope it still suits your needs and more importantly, inspires your cooking! Thanks.
Edward Smith says
Hi Dreena:
I would love to see the recipe for Sweet Potato Crisps or the Soft Baked Tamari Tofu Soup. All the recipes look so good……..
And I just ordered your Oil-Free Dressings as an e-book…dressings look fantastic. Thanks for the special pricing on that.
Right now I am on Day 5 of a 30 day juice fast and I shouldn’t even be looking at your site because it is making me so hungry. My excuse is “It’s OK. I am just planning recipes for when the fast is over..” lol….
Best of luck with the book, Reversing Diabetes. Gotta order that one, too.
Keep up the great work. All the best.
helga b kenseth says
Hi Dreena whatbeautiful food and recipes! I’m about a year into the plant based lifestyle and loving it. Your books, videos and charm have made it so much easier to make the change from the SAD diet. My husband, a type two diabetic and pretty die hard meat eater just had the meal you showed red lentil dal along with the lovely salad . He liked it a lot and who knows will perhaps venture more into these healthy dishes and new recipes which i’ll be making. Thank you so much for your good work and dedication. I certainly appreciate it and am healthier, have lost weight, and feel great energy since embracing this wonderful way of eating and living. I just bought neal barnards book yesterday and am excited to try the recipes you created.
Dreena says
Hi Helga, this means a lot to me. Thank you. I’m so glad you’ve discovered this beautiful way of eating and living, and it sounds like your husband is pretty receptive, so that’s wonderful! Hope you enjoy more recipes – I love so many of the diabetes cookbook dishes. Happy cooking!
Erin says
I vote for the Rad Thai!
Ameera says
Congratulations Dreena on the wonderful and beautiful book! I love the meaning and the message, and everything sounds absolutely delicious!
Michelle Discenza says
10 Minute Stir Fry or Lentil Bolognese would be wonderful to share. Thank you.
Cami Petersen says
I’m so happy to see a medical doctor claiming that diabetes can be reversed. Is he teaching that type one can be reversed as well? The cauliflower scramble recipe caught my eye, maybe because I love savory in the morning. Thanks
Dreena says
Thanks Cami. The cauli scramble is really amazing! I’ll give you the link to PCRM that details more about the diabetes program. There are benefits for type 1, but not reversible. Type 2 can be reversed by a whole foods plant-based diet: http://www.pcrm.org/media/experts/neal-barnard-diabetes-book
Carlos A llarena says
Would you care to publish in what scientific journal, the idea of diabetes reversal came? It’s contrary to anything I’ve studied.
Dreena says
Hi Carlos, I’ll give you a couple of links from Dr. Barnard:
http://www.pcrm.org/media/experts/neal-barnard-diabetes-book
https://twitter.com/PCRM/status/968520084292603905
Hope this gives you a starting point to learn more.
April says
I would love to see the 10 minute stir fry, sounds like a very handy recipe! I make your teriyaki all the time. Love your recipes, anytime I want to make anything I look first at your cookbooks for ideas and inspiration! Thank you for all that you do!
Shari says
I pre-ordered this book and am anxiously awaiting its arrival! I’m a longtime vegan and my boyfriend is a Type 2 diabetic who is willing to try a plant-based diet. I read Dr. Barnard’s reversing diabetes book. It was mostly about the science of it. As an inexperienced cook, I needed a good selection of recipes to make it happen. I couldn’t find one until now. Thank you so much for your contribution!
Dreena says
Hi Shari, thanks for sharing this. I’m excited for you both. These are very ‘doable’ recipes, and they taste great. I hope you both enjoy them!
Sonia Raga | TheBrightBird says
Dreena this is awesome! Can´t wait to get my copy 🙂 Do you know whether it will be available on Amazon Germany or Amazon Spain? Thank you!
Dreena says
Thanks Sonia! I don’t know off-hand, I’m guessing the book will have to hit a certain mark or bring that interest to be translated. I’ve only have one book translated in another language to date (PPF in German), so really not sure. But, crossing fingers!
Ghislaine says
From what you’re saying, it seems like the Rad Thai is the recipe to try. I’d love to see you share that one.
Dreena says
Thanks Ghislaine!
Don Kearney-Bourque says
I really can’t wait to see it in print for many reasons. Thanks so much for creating these wonderful meals!
Dreena says
Thank you Don. I appreciate all of your support very much. x
Amy Caruthers says
Rad Thai! I’m not diabetic, but I still owe you and your recipes enough to buy the book! Thanks!
Dreena says
Awwww, thanks Amy! Truly, these recipes can please anyone. My whole family and testers loved them… I hope you feel the same. Cheers!
Fran says
I’m so happy for you that you got this opportunity!!!!!
Bonnie says
Yes, Rad Thai a must! You’re the best – thanks for all of your hard work. Re: mom mentioned in above comments: I’m an RN Health Educator and find it’s difficult to get people to change lifestyle, esp food.
Lili says
I’d like to see the Tamari soft baked tofu (If the kids love them, then I think the adults definitely would too).
Thai Corn and Sweet Potato Stew (Definitely my favorite Thai dish).
Lemon-Tahini Pasta Sauce with Spinach( I’m in love with the Annies Goddess dressing,. And very interested to see how you made it into pasta sauce).
Sweet Potato Crisps (Of course)!
Lentil Baba Ghanoush ( because who doesn’t love Lentils & Baba Ghanoush)?
Warm Cheesy Sweet Potato Dip, Quinoa Kale Caesar with Cheesy Croutons ( cheesy got my attention, and cheesy croutons)!
Dreena, you are so talented
Lisa M says
I’d love to see the Rad Thai recipe!
Darlene Vitale says
I am not diabetic but the recipes sound amazing!
Arine says
Looks so good! I’d love for you to share the recipe for the Rice breakfast bake. I have made your rice porridge so often. 🙂
Ritu says
Well now I need to know the rad Thai recipe!! I love Thai food!
Looking forward to reading this book (and cooking from it), not for diabetes but for overall endocrine support for my son!
Sarah says
It was a thrill to test! I bought a copy for my dad who is doing everything possible to manage his Type 2 diabetes to avoid insulin. I loved all of the recipes, but I have to say, the Cauliflower Scramble has been a total game changer. My tester copy is so dog-eared and tattered! Congrats on the beautiful book!
Wendy says
Since you’ve raved so much about it,I’d love to see the Rad Thai recipe.
Love your recipes!
Dreena says
Thanks Wendy! 🙂
Janet says
They all seem delish. Rad Thai, Telmex beans and rice, & lemon pineapple muffins have got my attention!
Dreena says
We made the muffins just yesterday. Thanks Janet!
KathyD says
I’d like to see BBQ Bean Burgers.
Dreena says
that’s a good one! Thanks Kathy
Beth says
What a wonderful book! I would love to buy it for my mother who has diabetes and heart disease, but she’s still brainwashed by the “low-fat” advice from the 1980s and won’t touch anything with fat in it, like oil or avocados. I might still try, because she’ll end up giving it back to me. 😉
Dreena says
Oh, thanks Beth! Well, the recipes are really balanced in this book. They do include modest amounts of whole foods fats like nuts, seeds, and avocados – yet overall still in a “low-fat” category for diabetes. Who knows, maybe she’ll be open to it for that reason!