Family Friendly Diabetes Meal Plan for Fall

Just because you have a condition that requires a certain eating pattern—like diabetes—doesn't mean you have to eat differently from your family. This sample diabetes meal plan proves it, with 7 days of diabetes-friendly meals that the whole family will love following.

Related: See More Diabetes-Friendly Meal Plans

To make a plan that works for the whole family, we included simple yet delicious recipes that use familiar ingredients and easy techniques, so they can be made even on the busiest of week nights. This healthy plan coupled with family exercise—like walking, bike riding or simply playing in the backyard—can make a big difference in reaching your health goals. As the weather cools, kids head back to school and we settle into our routine, fall is the perfect time to focus on healthy eating and family meals.

The nice part about a diabetes-friendly diet and a plain old regular diet is that they look pretty much the same. In this plan, you'll see balanced ingredients, like hearty whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and veggies (fresh or frozen), herbs and spices (to add flavor without the need for too much salt) and plenty of fiber—at least 30 grams a day—to help manage blood sugar levels, keep you feeling satisfied for longer after a meal, boost gut health and the many other benefits of fiber. Plus, we did the carb counting for you and kept each meal between 45 to 60 grams of carbs to help keep blood sugars balanced.

What you'll see less of in this plan are foods high in saturated fats, refined carbs, sodium and added sugar—all of which can have a negative impact on diabetes and health in general if you eat too much. This doesn't mean you can't eat some of these foods! Just try to enjoy them in moderation and opt for go for the healthy options more often.

Here's what to eat more of for a healthy diabetes diet—and general healthy diet!

• Eggs
• Lean meat like chicken, ground turkey and lean-cuts of beef
• Beans and lentils
• Seafood, especially things high in healthy omega-3 fats, like salmon
• Dairy items like milk, yogurt and cheese
• Nuts and seeds, including nut-butters like peanut butter or almond butter
• Vegetables, especially fresh or frozen varieties without added salt
• Whole grains like wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa and whole-wheat pasta
• Fruit, especially fresh or frozen fruit without added sugar
• Water, seltzer or other unsweetened drinks
• Herbs and spices for flavor

1. Prepare Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
2. Whip up Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette to have throughout the week.
3. Cook Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins to have for breakfast throughout the week.

Family-Friendly Cooking Tip: If you feel like you're spending too much money at the grocery store, a few simple strategies can make a difference. Try planning your meals for the week ahead, which saves money because we are only buying what we need and reduces food waste. Always shop with a list and avoid going to the store hungry. Check out the grocery list we have for this healthy meal plan here.

• 1 whole-wheat English muffin
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
• 1 medium apple

• 1 cup plain nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1 Tbsp. chopped almonds

• 1 serving Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
• 1 large pear

• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1/3 cup hummus or ranch dip

• 1 serving Slow-Cooker Vegan Chili
• 2 cups mixed greens topped with 1/2 an avocado and 1 serving Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette

• 2 Tbsp. dry-roasted unsalted almonds
• 1 Tbsp. dark-chocolate chips

Daily Totals: 2,014 calories, 79 g protein, 231 g carbohydrates, 67 g fiber, 96 g fat, 16 g saturated fat, 1,772 mg sodium

Meal-Prep Tip: Prep ingredients for the Slow-Cooker Vegan Chili so you can put everything in the slow-cooker tomorrow morning so it's ready in time for dinner.

Family-Friendly Cooking Tip: Pizza is a family favorite, but many of the take-out or frozen pizza options tend to be greasy and high in saturated fat. For dinner tonight, we opt for a healthy homemade option with a whole-wheat crust that the whole family will love. See more of our healthy pizza recipes here.

• 1 serving Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins
• 1 whole-wheat English muffin
• 2 Tsp. strawberry jam
• 1 clementine

• 1 medium apple
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter

• 1 serving Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls

• 1 clementine
• 12 dry-roasted unsalted almonds

• 1 serving Chicken Parmesan Pizza
• 1 serving Traditional Greek Salad

• 3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Daily Totals: 2,005 calories, 118 g protein, 192 g carbohydrates, 28 g fiber, 89 g fat, 23 g saturated fat, 2,284 mg sodium

Family-Friendly Shopping Tip: Breakfast tends to be the trickiest meal of the day for busy families. We love muffin-tin omelets for a quick, healthy and high-protein breakfast. Plus, they are freezer-friendly.

• 1 serving Easy Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins
• 1 whole-wheat English muffin
• 2 Tsp. strawberry jam
• 1 clementine

• 1 medium apple

• 1 serving Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls

• 1 large pear

• 1 serving Scallion-Ginger Beef & Broccoli
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1 serving Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette

• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. dried chopped walnuts

Daily Totals: 1,990 calories, 117 g protein, 215 g carbohydrates, 37 g fiber, 79 g fat, 19 g saturated fat, 1,934 mg sodium

Family-Friendly Cooking Tip: Bringing lunch from home helps save money and tends to be healthier than most takeout options. See all of our healthy meal-prep lunches, including ideas for kid's school lunch.

• 1 whole-wheat English muffin
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
• 1 medium apple

• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup blueberries

• 1 serving Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls

• 1 medium orange

• 1 serving American Goulash
• 1 serving Traditional Greek Salad

• 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds

Daily Totals: 1,982 calories, 116 g protein, 191 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 88 g fat, 19 g saturated fat, 1,877 mg sodium

Family-Friendly Cooking Tip: To prevent low blood sugars overnight, especially if you're on insulin, it's recommended that people with diabetes have a snack at night that includes protein and carbohydrates. Examples include nuts and fruit, a few crackers with cheese or peanut butter or an apple with peanut butter.

• 1 serving Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein Shake

• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup blueberries

• 1 serving Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls

• 1 large apple

• 1 serving Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 serving Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
• 1 clementine

Daily Totals: 2,008 calories, 123 g protein, 211 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 78 g fat, 18 g saturated fat, 1,000 mg sodium

Meal-Prep Tip: Reserve 2 servings of Chicken & Broccoli Casserole and 1 cup cooked brown rice from dinner tonight to have for lunch on Days 6 & 7.

Family-Friendly Diabetes Tip: If you have diabetes, the Mediterranean diet can help lower your blood sugars and improve heart health. Check out our Mediterranean diet plans and all of our diabetes-friendly Mediterranean diet dinner recipes for more ideas.

• 1 serving Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein Shake

• 1 medium pear

• 1 serving Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice

• 18 dry-roasted unsalted almonds

• 1 serving Easy Italian Wedding Soup
• 1 small whole-wheat dinner roll
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 serving Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette

• 1 medium apple
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter

Daily Totals: 2,017 calories, 97 g protein, 215 g carbohydrates, 36 g fiber, 89 g fat, 19 g saturated fat, 1,599 mg sodium

Family-Friendly Cooking Tip: As most kids are going back to school and we begin to settle into a routine, it's the perfect time to get on track with our health and cook more meals at home. Whether you have a picky eater or are just trying to find family-friendly recipes, we are here to help.

• 1 whole-wheat English muffin
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
• 1 medium apple

• 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds

• 1 serving Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice

• 1 large pear

• 1 serving Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
• 1 serving Chopped Guacamole Salad

• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup blueberries

Daily Totals: 2,009 calories, 89 g protein, 226 g carbohydrates, 44 g fiber, 90 g fat, 19 g saturated fat, 1,503 mg sodium