Dieting and Special Diet recipe collection

Strawberry rhubarb pie with a lattice crust, made with both cooked and raw rhubarb plus fresh strawberries and preserves. A diabetic-friendly version sweetened with fruit juice and preserves instead of sugar.

Strawberry tart with a no-bake vanilla pudding filling in a graham cracker crust, topped with fresh berries and a hint of orange zest. A simple diabetic-friendly dessert in 30 minutes.

Strawberry yogurt cooler blended with fresh strawberries, nonfat yogurt, and fizzy club soda. A light, no-sugar-added smoothie that's diabetic-friendly and refreshing.

Quick and easy and you get your OJ and fruit in a flash for a busy morning.

Blanched escarole leaves stuffed with marinated chickpeas, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and white wine vinegar. A vegan, low-fat Italian appetizer served at room temperature.

Microwave stuffed mushrooms with Parmesan, sherry, and crispy crumb filling. Diabetic-friendly vegetarian appetizer ready in just 15 minutes with simple pantry staples.

Stuffed polenta with meat sauce: two layers of Parmesan polenta sandwiching a meaty tomato-basil sauce and mozzarella, baked hot until bubbly. A lighter Italian alternative to lasagna.

Sugared asparagus sauteed in butter and brown sugar, then simmered in chicken broth until crisp-tender. A sweet-savory side dish with just 4 ingredients.

Sugar-free fruit nut muffins sweetened only with dates, raisins, and prunes boiled into a thick fruit base. Diabetic-friendly mini muffins with no added sugar.

Sweet summer corn can't be beat. Highlight it in this chowder along with buttery Yukon Gold potatoes and smoky Canadian bacon.

Rice cakes topped with reduced-fat cream cheese, mandarin oranges, kiwi, and fresh strawberries. A colorful, low-fat no-cook snack ready in 10 minutes.

Summer fruit salad with rice, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, banana, and pineapple tossed in a honey-yogurt-pineapple juice dressing. Light, low-fat, and ready in 25 minutes.

Summer tortellini salad tosses cheese tortellini with shredded chicken, green and black olives, red bell pepper, sweet Vidalia onion, and a herbes de Provence vinaigrette. A picnic-ready pasta salad for four.

Summer vegetable saute with squash, bell pepper, green onions, and fresh tomato seasoned with chili powder. A quick low-fat vegetarian side served over rice.

Summer vegetable spaghetti tossed with zucchini, yellow squash and green beans in a light tomato sauce with a pinch of chili powder. Low in fat, no oil needed, and just as good served cold as a pasta salad.

Sunny citrus cubes: bright orange and grapefruit juice set with gelatin into firm, tangy jelly squares with a walnut crunch. A diabetic-friendly no-cook treat.