If you have diabetes and need to gain weight, in addition to increasing your caloric intake you also need to make sure you have control over your blood sugars. To continue to control your blood sugar, eat a consistent amount of carbohydrate at each meal. A weight-gainers diet contains at least 2,500 calories. For balance, aim for 625 calories and 75g of carbohydrate at each meal and include two snacks each with 300 calories and 30g of carbohydrate. Consult with your doctor or dietitian about a diabetic weight gain diet for diabetes.
Breakfast
Carbohydrate-containing foods include fruits, starches, milk and yogurt. When counting carbohydrates, it helps to have a good understanding of serving sizes and carbohydrate content. Typical servings, including one slice of bread and a small piece of fruit, contain 15g of carbohydrate. You can also read food labels to help you track your carbohydrate intake. A 625-calorie, 75g carbohydrate weight gain breakfast meal may include a 4 oz. whole-wheat bagel with 3 tbsp. of regular cream cheese and 1 cup of whole milk. Another high-calorie diabetic breakfast for weight gain may include two eggs scrambled in 1 tsp. of margarine with two slices of toast with 2 tsp. of margarine, 1 cup of milk and a 1/2 cup of orange juice.
Lunch
Use high-calorie, non-carbohydrate foods to help you meet your calorie needs for weight gain. High-calorie non-carbohydrate foods include meat, cheese, margarine, oil, nuts, nut butter, mayonnaise and salad dressing. A 625-calorie 75g carbohydrate diabetic weight gain lunch may include a tuna sandwich made with 3 oz. of canned tuna and 2 tbsp. of mayonnaise served on two slices of whole-wheat bread with one container of sugar-free yogurt and a small banana. You can also try two slices of cheese pizza with 1 cup of whole milk, or a grilled chicken sandwich with a packet of mayonnaise and a small order of french fries.
Dinner
A high-calorie, carbohydrate-controlled diabetic dinner meal for weight gain may consist of a 4 oz. portion of grilled beef tenderloin with 1-1/2 cups new potatoes roasted with olive oil and 1 cup of corn with 1 tsp. of margarine. You can also try a plate of spaghetti and meatballs with 2 cups of cooked whole-wheat spaghetti with 4 oz. of meatballs and 1/2 cup of marinara sauce. Another high-calorie weight-gaining meal for diabetics includes 4 oz. of turkey breast, 1-1/2 cups of stuffing, 1 cup of peas and 1/4 cup of turkey gravy.
Snacks
Snacking will help you meet your calorie needs for weight gain. An example of a 300-calorie snack with 30g of carbohydrate includes a peanut butter sandwich with two slices of whole-wheat bread and 1-1/2 tbsp. of peanut butter. You may also try six crackers with 1 oz. of cheese and a glass of whole milk, or 1/4 cup of mixed nuts with 4 tbsp. of raisins.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., Sylvia Escott-Stump. M.A. R.D.; 1996
- American Diabetes Association: Carbohydrate Counting Diet
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