Ninety to 95 percent of people with diabetes have Type 2, according to the International Diabetes Federation. People with Type 2 diabetes make enough insulin, but cannot properly use it. More than 80 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. Losing weight can improve your blood sugar levels. A healthy diet that includes nutritious foods in moderate amounts can help you manage your blood sugars and weight.
Diet Basics
The diabetic exchange diet is calorie-controlled, low-fat meal planning guide people with Type 2 diabetes can follow to help manage both blood sugar and weight. The plan divides foods into familiar food groups based on similarities in calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat content. Based on your calorie needs, you can eat a certain number of servings from each food group, which are than evenly distributed between three meals. Most adults with Type 2 diabetes can maintain a healthy weight following a 1,500- to 1,800-calorie diet. Consult your doctor about how many calories you need each day.
Breakfast
A breakfast meal for Type 2 diabetes may include two to three servings of starch, 1 oz. of meat, one serving of fruit, one serving of milk and one serving of fat. For breakfast you may have a toasted whole wheat English muffin with 1 tsp. of margarine, one scrambled egg, a small orange and a 6-oz. container of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt. Or, you can have 3/4 cups of whole grain ready-to-eat cereal with 1 cup of nonfat milk, a 4 oz. banana and one to two slices of whole wheat toast with 1 oz. of low-fat cheese.
Lunch
Your lunch should include three starch servings, 2 to 3 oz. of meat, one serving of vegetables, one serving of fruit, one serving of milk and one serving of fat. A sample lunch meal includes one small whole wheat pita stuffed with 2 to 3 oz. of tuna salad, 1 oz. of pretzels, 1 cup of nonfat milk, 1 cup of baby carrots and 17 grapes. Or, you can have a 6 oz. baked potato topped with 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli with 1 tsp. of margarine and 2 oz. of low-fat cheese, served with 6 oz. of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt with a small apple.
Dinner
Dinner should include three to four servings of starch, 2 to 3 oz. of meat, two servings of vegetables, one serving of fruit and one serving of fat. A sample dinner meal for Type 2 diabetes may include 2 to 3 oz. of broiled salmon with 1 1/2 to 2 cups of roasted red potatoes, 1 cup of roasted carrots and 1 1/4 cups of whole strawberries. You can also have 1 to 1 1/3 cups of whole wheat spaghetti 1/2 cup of marinara sauce and 2 to 3 oz. of turkey meatballs, served with 1 cup of mixed greens with 1 tbsp. of salad dressing and a small pear.
