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Food Critics: Diabetic Dining

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Most of us are very lucky. When we go out to eat, we usually don’t worry about dietary restrictions or fret over missing the delicious food we'd like to eat.

When actor Tom Hanks recently revealed that he had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, he turned a fresh spotlight on a health dilemma that impacts an estimated 25.8 million people. Restaurants are more accommodating to diabetic customers than ever before, but not every restaurant is a good fit for diners with diabetic restrictions. Where are the best places in Kansas City for diabetic diners to go and have a terrific meal? Charles Ferruzza, Emily Farris, Gloria Gale, and Mary Bloch share ideas on healthy places for tasty meals.

If you have diabetes it’s very important to consult with your primary care provider about your unique dietary needs to control your diabetes and meet other health goals. A good resource to start are the ADA Eating out Recommendations. Even if you don’t have diabetes, moderating the amount of simple carbohydrates and other sugars in your diet is generally good for you; everything in moderation.

The food critics and callers suggested the following dishes to consider when eating out:

  • Green Salad such as that at Cafe Europa (be sure to ask about how the dressing is made, some dressings have sugar as a principle ingredient)
  • Kale Salad such as at Unforked
  • Ceviche at a Mexican Restaurant (or a tuna steak, or fish tacos)

Restaurant to Consider on a Diabetic Diet:

  • Julian: 6227 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64113
  • The Mixx: 4855 Main Street Kansas City, MO and 1347 Main Street KCMO (again make careful selection of your dressing)
  • Ingredient: 1111 Main St Kansas City, MO 64105 amd 11563 Ash Street, Leawood, KS 66211
  • Dean and Deluca: 4700 W 119th St, Leawood, KS 66209
  • Cafe Gratitude: 333 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
  • FUD: 813 W. 17th St. Kansas City, MO 64108
  • Westside Local: 1663 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64108
  • You Say Tomato: 2801 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64109
  • The Latin Bistro: 2102 Swift Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116
  • Chipotle: (multiple locations) -Vegetable Burrito Bowl
  • Poco’s: 3063 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108 (Vegetable Plate with Black Beans, Peppers)

​New & Noteworthy Restaurants:

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Matthew Long-Middleton has been a talk-show producer, community producer, Media Training Manager and now the Community Engagement Manager at KCUR. You can reach him at Matthew@kcur.org, or on Twitter @MLMIndustries.