Creating a diabetic diet requires careful thought and planning. Glucose levels are fragile, and allow for only a slim margin for error on your part. As a friend or relative caring for a loved one, you must know the person's needs better than you know your own. Before taking on this responsibility, you must be certain you can perform the job properly. This person's life is literally in your hands; if you make a mistake, serious health consequences can result.
Step 1
Learn as much as you can about diabetes prior to planning meals; this includes why blood sugar levels spike and dip, and the health complications that occur as a result.
Step 2
Keep three basic rules in mind. Create a menu that works with the person's schedule, improves blood glucose levels and maintains the person's weight at a healthy level, the American Diabetes Association explains. Use these rules as your basic guide to menu planning.
Step 3
Speak to the person's doctor and get important information, such as target weight and glucose levels. Use these to plan the amount of calories and carbohydrates the person can have in meals and snacks.
Step 4
Create meals around the daily schedule. Maintaining a regular meal schedule helps the body regulate glucose levels. Include medication on the schedule also, as the person may need to eat before or after taking medication.
Step 5
Balance carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, especially simple carbohydrates, have the biggest impact on blood sugar levels. They increase glucose levels, whereas complex carbohydrates have little impact. Include both in every meal, but balance them using the glycemic index. The lower the number, the less of an effect it has on a person's blood sugar. Foods in the low range rate 55 and below, 56 to 69 is moderate and 70 or higher is high. The American Diabetes Association recommends consuming 45 to 60 grams of carbs per day. Use as many low to moderate carbs from the glycemic index as possible.
Step 6
Manage calories with portion sizes. Caloric intake is an important aspect of creating a diabetic menu, as it helps avoid weight gain. Using portion control is an easy way to control calorie consumption; it gives your patient the right amount of protein and carbs they need for every meal. HelpGuide.org recommends filling half the plate with a complex carbohydrate such as carrots, cauliflower and mushrooms; a quarter of the plate with a simple carb such as rice, pasta or potatoes; and the other quarter with protein.
