Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce or use insulin needed to help cells access glucose. As a result, the glucose remains in the blood. Untreated, diabetes can cause blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and death. While medication is available, a healthy diet and physical activity are helpful in managing diabetes as well. One of the challenges of being on a special diet is feeling restricted or that you're eating the same meals over and over again. Monthly meal planning ensures you get a variety of meals.
Manage Carb Intake
Your body obtains glucose from carbohydrates. People with diabetes are unable to access this glucose for fuel and instead it builds up in the blood. To avoid this, diabetics need to reduce and monitor the amount of carbs they eat. Your doctor will tell you the number of carb grams you can have a day, usually between 45 and 60. Read food labels for carb amounts and get a book for natural or fresh foods that don't have labels. Make a list of approved foods with carbs from which you can choose to add your meals. With a long list, you can avoid eating the same food over the course of the month.
Foods to Avoid
Simple carbs and sugary treats increase glucose levels without offering nutritional benefit, and shouldn't been included in your meal plan. Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, so avoid foods that are high in saturated and trans fats. Restrict red meat and other fatty foods to no more than four times during 30 days. Also, keep your cholesterol intake to 200 mg and sodium to less than 2,000 mg a day.
Meals
Despite the limits on carbohydrates, you can eat a variety of foods while on a diabetic diet, including lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Each meal you plan over the next 30 days should have a variety of nutritious foods, while limiting carbs. The American Diabetes Association recommends filling half your plate with non-starchy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, carrots and tomatoes. The remaining half of the plate is divided evenly between a protein source, such as chicken, fish or tofu, and starches from whole grains, beans, peas or potatoes. Non-fat or low-fat milk and a piece of fruit are also allowed. For breakfast, eat small portions with half your plate or bowl containing starch and the remaining half divided between fruit and protein.
Meal Planning
Special diets can become boring if you feel like you're eating the same foods and meals day after day. One way to avoid this is to keep a list of allowed foods from each food category and mix and match them. Ask your doctor or dietitian for a list of food exchanges that tells you which foods you can eat in place of another. Use the lists to create a plan with a month's worth of breakfast, lunch, dinners and snacks.
