Culinary recipes adaptation to a cooking skills intervention program for individuals with type 2 diabetes: a feasibility study

Introduction: Healthy eating habits and cooking skills can contribute to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective: This study aimed to adapt, test, and qualitatively evaluate the sensory characteristics of food recipes for their application in a culinary intervention program for individuals with type 2 diabetes, called Nutrition and Culinary in the Kitchen. Methods: Nutrition and Culinary in the Kitchen is an intervention program with hands-on cooking classes focused on promoting cooking skills. Recipes’ modifications were based on the glycemic index of ingredients, then tested and discussed by nutrition experts in consensus workshops. Individuals with type 2 diabetes assessed and discussed the sensory characteristics of recipes in focus groups. Results: Recipes adaptations to suit type 2 diabetes population included replacement of rice by cauliflower and pasta by zucchini, and the use of fruits and spices in sweet recipes instead of using added sugar ingredients and/or non-caloric sweeteners. Those changes were positively accepted by the individuals with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The adapted culinary recipes can be used in dietary guidelines and in cooking interventions to promote eating habits that contribute to glycemic control.