Tuna Pasta

Im going to start with a family favourtie... Tuna Pasta!! SO simple yet effective for the whole family I've found!

Ingredients

3 teaspoons oil ( I like to use vegetable oil, but any oil is fine)

1 Can Tuna (425g) - ( I like to use SAFCOL Tuna in Oil - Italian Style)

1 Can Tomato Soup (420g) -( I like to use Heinz Big Red Condensed Tomato Soup )

1/2 chopped Brown Onion - ( I use either half or one while brown onion however I have used half a red onion before which also worked well! )

1-2 Cups Spiral Pasta - ( Any spiral pasta works for us and the kids seem to find it easier to eat and more attractive in general )

Optional Extras ( great as a protein source for people with Diabetes however the kids may or may not approve )

1/2 cup Lentils

1/2 cup chickpeas

Veggies like eggplant, zucchini, and carrots are great optional extras to bulk up the meal. But hey, it's your call if you want to toss them in (I find that if I chop them small enough, the kids don't notice and whine as much!). At times I have also added a tin of corn or peas. These are soft and dont take as long to cook and the kids generally have enjoyed the addition more so than the other vegetables.

Grated cheese is also a delicious extra if you’re a cheese lover and there are no lactose detectives in the house. I usually shred about a cup and toss it in at the end while mixing the pasta. Sometimes I get fancy and sprinkle it on top!

Method

1. Cook pasta in boiling water as per packet directions

2. Add oil to saucepan on medium heat

3. Add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft

4. Add Tomato Soup and cook for 2 minutes

5. Add Tuna and cook for 2-3 minutes

6. Add optional extras and simmer for another 5-10 minutes (depending on how soft you like your veggies!).

7. Serve up!

Conclusion: This dish has been a family favorite since I started whipping it up in 2020. My 9, 5, and 2-year-old are all on board the tasty train! It's easy, won't break the bank, delicious, and most importantly - diabetes-friendly :)

After the diabetes news, one of the goals was to fish up our diet. But salmon fillets weekly? My wallet screamed, and the kids looked at it like it was alien food. Enter Tasty Tuna with pasta! Packed with protein (fish) and a medium-low GI option with the pasta (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8623826/). Of course, portion control is key (for everyone, not just those with diabetes), so we often throw in a hard-boiled egg and some salad for good measure.

Tuna Pasta on a plate that represents how we have our dinner. With plenty of vegetables ! On the side is an eggplant side dish which I will talk about more in future posts however for now (my first blog post!) this is how it looks!!!

This is a compelling real-life example of blood glucose levels before, during, and after enjoying this hearty meal. Notably, there was a hypo due to excessive correctional insulin. For those living with or managing diabetes, it's always a balancing act. However, the CGM screenshot over 12+ hours demonstrates that the blood sugar remains predominantly 'in range.' Clearly, many factors are at play, and this snapshot includes a recent illness (gastro!), which also impacts blood glucose and its daily management. Over the past 5 years, we've found this recipe consistently maintains blood glucose levels within range, requiring minimal correctional insulin. Aside from it working for the diabetes, everybody LOVES it. As mentioned previously - its a weekly staple!

Stay tuned for more diabetes eats!

In the meantime, do you have a diabetes diagnosis story to share?