Ninety to 95 percent of all cases of diabetes are type 2 diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation. People with type 2 diabetes cannot properly use the insulin they make. Following a carbohydrate controlled diet and losing weight can help people with type 2 diabetes gain better control over their blood sugar. Calorie needs vary based on a person's age, sex and activity level. Talk to your doctor about how many calories you need to eat each day to promote a healthy weight. Most active adult men and women can safely lose weight following an 1,800-calorie diet.
Breakfast
Eating regularly and consistently can help maintain even and controlled blood sugars. Make breakfast a priority. Not only will it help you manage your blood sugars, but it can also improve your concentration, according to the American Diabetes Association. A balanced diabetic breakfast meal should contain about 500 calories with three servings of starch, 1 oz. of meat, one serving of fruit, one serving of milk and one serving of fat. An example includes a boiled egg with two slices of whole wheat toast, 1 tsp. of margarine, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of cooked plain oatmeal and 2 tbsp. of raisins. You can also try a 3 oz. whole wheat bagel with 1 oz. of low-fat cheese, a 6 oz. container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt and a small orange.
Lunch
Foods high in fiber take the body longer to digest, allowing for a slower release of sugar into the bloodstream. It also improves satiety, aiding in weight control. Your lunch meal on an 1,800-calorie diet should contain about 650 calories with three servings of starch, 3 oz. of meat, one serving of vegetable, one serving of fruit, one serving of milk and one serving of fat. A sample balanced lunch may include a roast beef sandwich with 3 oz. of lean roast beef on two slices of whole wheat bread with 1 tsp. of mayonnaise, served with a 6 oz. container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt, five whole grain crackers, 1 cup of sliced cucumbers and 1/2 cup of unsweetened canned fruit cocktail. You can also try 1/4 cup of hummus spread into a small whole wheat pita with lettuce and tomato, served with 2 oz. of low-fat cheese, 10 baby carrots, 1 cup of nonfat milk and a medium peach.
Dinner
Using a diabetic food exchange list can help you with meal planning. It provides a list of healthy food choices for people with diabetes, along with serving size information. Dinner meals on an 1,800-calorie diet should consist of 650 calories with four servings of starch, 3 oz. of meat, two servings of vegetable, one serving of fruit and one serving of fat. An example of a calorie controlled diabetic dinner meal includes 3 oz. of grilled chicken breast with a large baked potato with 1 tsp. of margarine, a small whole wheat dinner roll, 1 cup of cooked green beans and two tangerines. You can also have 1 cup of whole wheat spaghetti with 3 oz. of meatballs made from lean ground meat, 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce, 1 cup of steamed broccoli and 3/4 cups of fresh pineapple cubed.
