Savory Everything Bagel Cottage Cheese Bowl

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (170g) 2% cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup (65g) diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 Tbsp (20g) finely diced red onion
• 1 Tbsp (8g) roasted pumpkin seeds
• 1 tsp (5ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp (2g) everything bagel seasoning
• Black pepper, to taste

Optional:

• Fresh dill or chives
• A squeeze of lemon juice
• Chili flakes

Instructions

1. Spoon the cottage cheese into a shallow bowl and spread it out slightly.
2. Top with the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
3. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, everything bagel seasoning, and black pepper.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and finish with any optional herbs, lemon, or chili flakes. Serve right away.

Notes

• Why it’s diabetes-friendly: This bowl pairs protein from the cottage cheese with fiber from the vegetables and healthy fats from the olive oil and seeds, a combination that helps keep post-meal blood sugar steady.
• Most of the sugar here is naturally occurring lactose from the cottage cheese and natural sugar from the tomatoes.
• Many everything bagel seasonings contain salt. Look for a salt-free blend, or use a low-sodium cottage cheese, to bring the sodium down.
• For a heartier meal, add a sliced hard-boiled egg or a handful of chickpeas.