Diabetes Meal Plan

Wok-Seared Chicken Tenders with Asparagus & Pistachios

EatingWell's Diabetes Meal Plan provides an overall healthy meal program that can be enjoyed by people with diabetes as well as by their families at three different daily caloric levels: 1200, 1500 and 1800. These menus are packed with nutrient-rich foods, including whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They avoid refined grains and limit added sugars. Each meal and snack is planned to keep blood sugar in check; snacks are generally 1 to 2½ carbohydrate servings and meals are 2½ to 5 carbohydrate servings, depending on the caloric level.

In addition, these meal plans are heart-healthy: generally lower in saturated fat, dietary cholesterol and sodium, as diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease. Each of the 28 days on the plan includes 5 to 8 EatingWell recipes that use common, everyday ingredients and are simple to prepare. The recipes include entrees, side dishes, salads and desserts and are accompanied by other healthy foods to create nutritionally balanced meals that are both delicious and satisfying. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, each day on the plans includes a morning and an afternoon snack.