Diet Chart for Diabetic Patient

by Jay S. Certified Diabetes Educator

A diabetes meal plan serves as a guide for when what, and how much to eat to get the nutrition you require while keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range. A good meal plan will take your goals, tastes, and lifestyle into account, as well as any medications you're taking.

What to Avoid?

If you think avoiding sugar is enough, then you are unfortunately wrong. Carbohydrates are equally harmful to your body. Keeping a note of how many carbs you consume and setting a limit for each meal will help you stay within your goal blood sugar range.

Carbohydrate, protein, and fat are the three macronutrients found in food that provide calories — and affect your blood sugar. You should focus on adopting a long-term dietary change in your life to control and manage diabetes effectively.

A Guide to Balanced Diet for Diabetes

Use a small plate (a 9-inch plate might help you).

Salad, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots can be used to fill half of the bowl. They are ideal food for diabetics.
One quarter should be filled with lean protein, such as chicken, turkey, beans, tofu, or eggs.
Fill one-quarter of your plate with carbohydrate-rich meals. Grain, starchy vegetables (such as potatoes and peas), rice, pasta, beans, fruit, and yoghurt are all high in carbohydrates. A cup of milk is also a carbohydrate food.

Carbohydrates

Make the best options when it comes to carbohydrate items to lessen the influence on blood glucose levels.

Pick fresh, whole fruit, rather than dried fruit, or fruit juice.
You can consume whole grains like brown and wild rice, popcorn, oats, and quinoa.
Try to avoid simple carbohydrate foods, such as chips, cookies, cakes, and honey as they can quickly raise blood glucose levels.

Protein

Protein is used by the body to produce, repair, and maintain most of its tissues and organs. Proteins are also required for immune system function and aid in a variety of other physiological activities.

Good sources of protein:

Chicken

Fish

Beans

Cheese (look for 2%)

Eggs

Nut butter

Plant-based veggie burgers

Black beans

Kidney beans

Lentils

Fat

Fat does not raise blood sugar; in fact, high-fat meals may cause your stomach to empty more slowly, resulting in a slower rise in blood sugar. However, it is advised to take it in moderation as high-fat can lead to heart-related problems.

Concentrate on unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), which are mostly derived from plants.

-Olive oil

-Canola oil

-Avocados

-Almonds

-Mayonnaise

-Walnuts

-Salad dressing

-Flaxseed

Try to limit saturated fats such as:

-Butter

-Cream