Dieting and Special Diet recipe collection

The health benefits of green papaya exceed those of the ripe variety. Raw green papaya is packed with vitamins, enzymes and phytonutrients. It contains vital nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E and B. However, perhaps the most important health property of green papaya is its ability to improve digestion and the uptake of nutrients, raising enzyme levels and improving assimilation, and thus also strengthening the immune system. Green papaya contains two of the most powerful plant proteolytic enzymes: papain and chymopapain. These enzymes excel at breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as aiding healthy digestion. Papain can only be found in the papaya fruit and is more effective than pepsin produced by our own stomachs.

Southern peach shortcake with sliced peaches, almond extract, and cinnamon baked under a light biscuit topping. Diabetic-friendly with fructose instead of sugar.

Very healthy and nutritious salad. Flavor is great too.

Spaghetti squash salad with mushrooms and Parmesan: roasted squash strands tossed with garlic olive oil, sauteed mushrooms, and fresh parsley. Low-carb, gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, 45 minutes start to finish.

Vegetarian spaghetti with mushroom bolognese, shallots, carrot, tomatoes and oregano. Hearty meatless pasta sauce that tastes like the real thing in under 40 minutes.

Fat-free Spanish rice enchiladas with brown rice, fresh spinach, and cumin rolled in corn tortillas and baked in enchilada sauce. A healthy vegan Mexican dinner.

20-minute turkey sausage chili with canned beans, tomato soup, and chili powder. A quick, lower-fat weeknight chili that uses spicy turkey sausage instead of ground beef.

Easy and quick recipe, tastes good. Tofu is a healthy food.

Spice walnut cake marries toasted walnuts with whole-wheat pastry and barley flours, warm cinnamon and clove, then soaks in a fresh orange syrup after baking. A healthier Greek-inspired karydopita.

Baked spiced apple rings in cranberry juice with cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and lemon. Slow-baked until transparent and jewel-toned, served hot or cold as a garnish or vegan side dish.

Quick spiced beets simmered in white wine vinegar with bay leaf, clove, and black pepper. A tangy, diabetic-friendly side dish ready in 30 minutes on stovetop or microwave.

Italian-leaning spiced black bean soup with basil, oregano, marjoram, and a finish of sherry and lemon. Pureed silky-smooth. High-fibre, gluten-free, garnished with chives and nonfat sour cream.

Low-fat spiced bran muffins with molasses, honey, ginger, cloves, golden raisins, and walnuts. Made with egg whites and nonfat yogurt instead of butter and whole eggs.

Indian-spiced fried potatoes with coriander, cardamom, cumin, ginger, chili powder, nutmeg, mace, and cloves. Boiled then pan-fried until crispy and golden. A flavorful side for two.

Spiced garbanzo stew with chickpeas simmered in vegetable stock with fresh ginger, garlic, coriander, cumin, and tomato. A vegan low-fat one-pot dinner finished with lime and parsley.

Spiced lentil and brown rice soup simmers green lentils, brown rice, tomatoes, and herbs in a sherry-spiked broth. Hearty vegan and gluten-free dinner soup.