Foods that contain carbohydrates raise blood sugars. People with diabetes have difficulty managing blood sugar due to an inability to make or properly use insulin, the hormone responsible for transporting sugar from the bloodstream into the cell. Eating a consistent amount of carbohydrates at each meal can help you manage your blood sugars. The amount you need to eat depends on your calorie needs and blood sugar goals. Consult with a doctor or dietitian to help you determine your exact needs. However, the American Diabetes Association suggests starting a diabetic carbohydrate diet with 45 to 60g at each meal.
Breakfast
Carbohydrate-containing foods include starches, fruit, milk and yogurt. Understanding basic serving sizes can help you count grams of carbohydrate on your diabetic carbohydrate diet. For example, one slice of bread, 17 grapes and a 6 oz. container of sugar-free yogurt all contain about 15g of carbohydrate. A consistent carbohydrate breakfast meal idea containing 45 to 60g of carbohydrate may include two slices of whole wheat toast with 1 tsp. of margarine, a scrambled egg and a small orange. Another idea may include 1 cup of hot cooked oatmeal with 2 tbsp. of raisins and 1 cup of nonfat milk. You can also try a 2 oz. whole wheat bagel with 1 tbsp. of low-fat cream cheese and a 6 oz. nonfat sugar-free yogurt.
Lunch
Food labels can also help you keep track of your carbohydrate intake. When reading the food label, pay attention to serving size and total grams of carbohydrates per serving. Diabetic carbohydrate diet lunch ideas with 45 to 60g of carbohydrates include 2 cups of chicken noodle soup, six saltine crackers, 1 oz. of low-fat cheese and a small apple. You can also try a roast beef sandwich on two slices of whole wheat bread, with 1 cup of diced melon, carrot and celery sticks and a 1 oz. bag of baked potato chips. Another lunch meal idea may consist of a small fast food hamburger with a 6 oz. nonfat sugar-free yogurt and a side salad with low-fat salad dressing.
Dinner
Foods high in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, take the body longer to digest and help to slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Choose more high fiber foods for better blood sugar control. Diabetic consistent carbohydrate dinner diet ideas include grilled tuna steak with 1 cup of brown rice, 1 cup of steamed broccoli and cauliflower and a tossed salad with low-fat salad dressing. Another consistent carbohydrate dinner idea may include pasta primavera with 1 cup of cooked whole wheat pasta mixed with 1 cup of mixed nonstarchy vegetables, 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce and 1 tbsp. of Parmesan cheese. You can also try roasted chicken with a 6 oz. baked sweet potato, 1 cup of peas and a tossed salad with 1 tbsp. of low-fat salad dressing.
