We have all said it, “I am going to watch my diet," “I am going to eat healthier foods” or how about, “I am starting my diet today”. All good intentions, but they quickly fall by the wayside, often because of the foods we have to eat or prepare.

I recently reviewed two American Diabetes Association cookbooks that may help those who are sincere in their efforts to change the way they prepare and eat foods. The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes and The Family Style Soul Food Diabetes Cookbook are cookbooks that can put folks on the right path to healthy eating.

The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes was written by Fabiola Demps Gaines and Roniece Weaver. Both women are Registered Dieticians and they give you information you can understand and advice you will be happy to follow. The recipes in this cookbook are so delicious, the words “weight control”, “diet“, “healthier eating” won’t enter your mind.

The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes starts sharing excellent information before you get to page 1. You are reminded that, “No Added Sugar, Without Added Sugar and No Sugar Added” does not mean, “Sugar free”. Although the cookbook is geared to people with diabetes, everyone will enjoy the recipes. I tried three, "Spicy Shrimp", "Eunice’s Curried Chicken", and a real Southern recipe, "Butter Beans with Smoked Turkey". They were all good and had great flavor. Pages 1 through 28 give you hints for a healthier lifestyle. I was particular interested in “What Is Your Eating Style?” on page 15, you are advised to keep a food diary. I did this and found that I need to eat healthier snacks. You can order The New Soul Food Cookbook for People With Diabetes from Amazon.com.

The Family Style Soul Food Diabetes Cookbook is filled with useful information such as carb counting, daily meal plans and more. 100 Ways to Cut 100 Calories (page 19) is definitely well worth the price of this cookbook. It has more recipes and shows you how to cook what is known as 'soul food' and other foods a new and healthier way. The Rainbow Salsa recipe on page 102 is amazingly simple and delicious. How about Whole-Wheat Drop Biscuits? Shawn Fralin and Rojean L. Williams have joined Fabiola Demps Gaines and Roniece Weaver to write The Family Style Soul Food Diabetes Cookbook Ms. Williams is also a Registered Dietician. All have put their collective health-conscious minds together and delivered a great healthy-eating cookbook that will have your mouth watering.

I like both cookbooks because the recipes shown were tested and prepared specifically with the diabetic person in mind; however, anyone will enjoy using these recipes. If you are one of those people who enjoy sitting back and reading a good cookbook; paperclips or strips of paper in hand marking recipes you want to try, you will be happy with either one of these cookbooks from the American Diabetes Association. A reminder that these cookbooks have nothing to do with race and everything to do with what you eat. Most southerner's like well-flavored food and often sacrifice healthy eating habits to get it. With recipes from these books you get the best of both worlds.

You should be able to get both cookbooks from bookstores or order you may order from American Diabetes Association books at https://store.diabetes.org.