Through digestion and metabolism, your body turns most of the food you eat into glucose to serve as a source of energy for your cells. If you have diabetes, you may have difficulty managing this food glucose due to your body's inability to make or properly use a hormone called insulin. Insulin transports glucose from your bloodstream into the cell. Without insulin, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. To help you manage your blood sugar, you need to follow a diabetic meal plan that aims to balance your nutrient intake for blood sugar control.
Diet Basics
Carbohydrate-containing foods, including starches, grains, fruits, milk and yogurt, increase blood sugar. Eating a consistent amount of carbohydrates at each meal can help you manage your blood sugars. The amount of carbohydrates you need depends on your calorie needs and blood sugar goals. The American Diabetes Association states that you can start at 45 to 60 g of carbohydrate at each meal. Having a good understanding of basic food serving sizes can help you keep track of your carbohydrate intake. For example one slice of bread, a small orange and a 6 oz. container of plain yogurt all contain about 15 g of carbohydrate.
Breakfast
In addition to controlling carbohydrates, it is also important to eat regularly scheduled meals. Eating on a regular schedule helps to keep your blood sugars even and consistent. A sample carbohydrate-controlled diabetic meal may consist of 1/2 cup of hot cooked oatmeal with 2 tbsp. of raisins, 1 cup of nonfat milk and a boiled egg. Another meal idea may include scrambled eggs, two slices of toast with 1 tsp. of margarine and a small orange.
Lunch
All your meals should include complex carbohydrates such as whole fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods contain fiber, which helps slow down digestion and the release of sugar into the bloodstream. In addition, fiber in food helps control hunger for weight management. A sample carbohydrate-controlled diabetic lunch meal may include 2 tbsp. of hummus with five whole grain crackers, a 6-oz. container of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt, 17 grapes, 1 oz. of low-fat cheese and a small salad with low-fat salad dressing. Another lunch meal may include a slice of cheese pizza from a 10-inch pie, 1 cup of diced melon and a small salad with low-fat salad dressing.
Dinner
People with diabetes have higher rates of heart disease. Choose lean cuts of meat, such as skinless poultry and fish, to limit your intake of saturated fat. High intakes of saturated fat increase your blood cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. A sample carbohydrate-controlled diabetic meal for dinner may include a grilled turkey burger on a whole wheat hamburger roll with one ear of corn, 1 cup of steamed green beans and a small salad with low-fat salad dressing. You can also try 10 cooked shrimp tossed with 2 cups of mixed nonstarchy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, 1 cup of whole wheat pasta, topped with 1/2 cup of marinara sauce and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and served with a small salad with low-fat salad dressing.
