Diabetes Meal Plan

EatingWell's Diabetes Meal Plan can be enjoyed by people with diabetes as well as by their families at three different daily caloric levels: 1200, 1500 and 1800. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, each day on the plans includes a morning and an afternoon snack. 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 are accompanied by other healthy foods to create nutritionally balanced meals that are delicious and satisfying.