Following a low-carbohydrate diet that includes foods with a low-glycemic index may help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and gain better control over their blood sugars, according to the American Diabetes Association. Low-glycemic index foods cause only gradual rises in blood sugar and improve long term blood sugar control, explains the American Diabetes Association. The Zone diet is a low-carbohydrate diet that emphasizes foods with a low-glycemic index and may be a healthy choice for people with diabetes. Each Zone meal contains 30 percent of its calories from fat, 30 percent of its calories from protein and 40 percent of its calories from low-glycemic carbohydrates.
Breakfast
Creating Zone balanced meals can be a challenge. The Zone website offers a simple guide to help get you started. The guide divides your plate into three equal sections. Fill one of the sections with a lean source of protein and the other two sections with a serving of nonstarchy vegetable and fruit or other low-glycemic index food. A Zone balanced diabetic breakfast may include a six to eight egg white omelet with spinach, 1 to 1 1/2 cups strawberries and 2/3 to 1 cup slow cooked oatmeal. Women should eat the smaller serving suggestions and men the larger serving suggestions. Another example of Zone balanced diabetic breakfast may include 3/4 cup to 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, a large banana and nine to 12 almonds. Breakfast should be eaten within one hour of waking, according to the Zone website.
Lunch
The Zone diet creators recommend that you eat every 4 to 6 hours whether hungry or not. A lack of hunger and a clear mind indicate you are staying in the "zone," according to the Zone website. A Zone balanced diabetic lunch meal may consist of 3 to 4 oz. of grilled chicken breast with 6 to 9 cups of broccoli cooked in 1 tsp. to 1 1/3 tsp. of olive oil with one kiwi. Another Zone balanced lunch meal may include 4 1/2 oz. to 6 oz. of grilled salmon served on top of 6 to 9 cups of raw spinach with 1 cup to 1 1/3 cup of sliced mango and 1 tsp. to 1 1/3 tsp. of vinegar and oil salad dressing.
Dinner
The Zone diet also encourages you to drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day. A Zone balanced diabetic dinner meal may include 6 oz. to 8 oz. of tofu stir fried with 1 cup to 2 cups of carrots and 3 cups of bok choy in 1 tsp. to 1 1/3 tsp. of sesame oil. Another Zone balanced meal may include a 4 1/2 oz. to 6 oz. grilled lean hamburger patty with 1 tsp. to 1 1/3 tsp. of mayonnaise and 3/4 cup to 1 cup baked potato.
