Diabetic Diet Meal Plan

Although diabetes is a serious disease, it does not absolutely have to change a person's quality of life. In fact, as long as a person changes his diet and does the things required of him by his doctor, a he can live much the same way he would without diabetes. Of course, the important thing to do to keep a quality of life high is to eat correctly.

Preparation

Take a dinner plate and draw a line down the middle of the plate using a permanent magic marker. Keep one section of the plate as it is so that it takes up half of the total area of the plate. The other half of the plate will include smaller sections.

Use the magic marker to create a horizontal line to make the smaller sections on the right side of the plate. The line should be drawn through the middle part of the right side of the plate. Each of these sections will be used to serve as reminders for how much of certain kinds of food should be eaten during a meal.

Meal Choices

Use non-starchy vegetables to fill the largest section of the plate. Some of the best vegetables to use include spinach, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms and green beans. Go ahead and fill the left side of the plate with one or more of these items.

It doesn't matter how many of these vegetables are included on the plate. Non-starchy vegetables can be eaten more than other kinds of foods, therefore it is important to try to enjoy these as much as possible. Try to use a variety by not only eating your favorite each day. Using a variety will help keep the meals fresh for you during each meal time.

Place starchy foods in one of the small sections on the right side of the plate. Some of foods that can be included in this section are whole grain breads, high-fiber cereal, oatmeal, pasta, rice, tortillas, pinto beans, crackers, pretzels and fat-free popcorn.

Feel free to include a healthy portion in this section, but do not pile the starchy foods high on the plate. It is important limit the amount of starchy foods you eat as a diabetic.

Place chicken, turkey, fish, oysters, shrimp, beef, pork, eggs, tofu or low-fat cheese in the other section on the right side of the plate. This section includes meat or meat substitutes. Again, include healthy portions, but do not overdo it.

Add to each meal about an 8-ounce glass of milk. Water also can be served. Add a small piece of fruit or half a cup of fruit salad and the meal is planned.