Diabetics require a specialized diet to ensure that they consume the appropriate amount of nutrients without ingesting too many calories, all in an effort to stabilize their blood glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association, or ADA, advises diabetics to follow the "1800 ADA Diet", a plan that calls for the diabetic patient to consume no more than 1,800 daily calories.
Breakfast
Arguably the most important meal in the day for many people, eating a regular breakfast aids in metabolizing fat and sustaining energy levels. For diabetics, the first meal of the day is paramount in maintaining insulin levels. A large pool of foods that contain roughly the same amount of macronutrients -- protein, fats and carbohydrates -- is given to patients so they can build their breakfast menus by adding items from the pool. This allows patients to alleviate boredom by being able to switch out foods to keep meals interesting. For example, a 1-cup serving of non-sugar oatmeal can be exchanged for ¼ cup of cottage cheese with ¾ of blueberries.
Lunchtime
Whole grains and fresh vegetables form the basis for lunchtime meal plans. A basic ADA lunch is comprised of a few different exchange options when it comes to consuming starches, sugars and macronutrients. Following the ADA's prescribed guidelines, a diabetic can construct a sound lunch by having one lean meat, one serving of veggies, a fat and a carbohydrate. Meal samples include a tuna or turkey sandwich made with whole grain bread, topped with lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and 1 tbsp of low-fat mayo or brown mustard. Alternatives include sandwiches made on whole grain pitas or flatbreads or a chef salad with a side of fruit.
Dinnertime
Lean meats like poultry, coldwater fish or lean cuts of beef are advised to form the basis of the diabetic's dinner plate. As always, raw, baked or steamed vegetables are included to round out the caloric count for dinner. For example, one popular dinnertime entrée is chicken parmesan. By using a 3 oz. serving of baked chicken topped with ¼ cup of pasta sauce and sprinkled with 2 to 3 tbsp. of grated parmesan cheese, patients can satisfy their cravings and stay within the confines of their diet.
Snacks
Diabetics need to take care when it comes to snacks so that they don't go over the 1,800 calorie limit. Although higher on the caloric count, a handful of heart healthy nuts like almonds can help stave off hunger as long as patients realize they need to select lower calorie fare when lunch or dinnertime rolls around. Alternatives include a handful or pretzels with 2 tbsp. of natural peanut or cashew butter, fresh veggies dipped in low-fat dressing or one serving of plain yogurt sweetened with a handful of fresh berries or 1 tbsp. toasted wheat germ.
References
- "The New Diabetic Cookbook, 5th Ed."; Mabel Cavaiani; 2002
- Ladies Home Journal: ADA Diet Explained
