Example of Daily Diets for Diabetics

The daily diet for diabetics should be a balanced diet that includes foods from all the food groups, such as protein, carbohydrates, dairy, vegetables, fruit and some fat. The key to the diabetic diet is counting carbohydrates and watching your intake of saturated fats. If a diabetic monitors his food, he can eat almost anything in moderation.

Breakfast

Consider 1/4 cantaloupe, 1 tbsp. peanut butter on 2 slices of wheat toast and 1/2 cup skim milk. Instead of peanut butter, have a hard-boiled egg.

Lunch

For lunch, eat 2 oz. sliced turkey with lettuce and tomato. Place this on 2 slices of wheat bread, with 2 tsp. salad dressing. For dessert, eat sugar-free gelatin.

Dinner

For dinner, eat 3 oz. lean roast beef, 2/3 cup wild rice, 1/2 cup spinach, 1 tsp. margarine and 1/2 cup skim milk. For dessert, have 15 grapes.

Snacks

Keep snacks at or under 15 grams of carbohydrates. Eat 3 cups popcorn, 3 graham crackers, vegetables with hummus, 1 sugar-free 6-oz. yogurt, 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/4 cup fruit or a granola bar.

Servings

Eat 4 to 6 oz. of protein a day, 3 to 5 fruits or vegetables, 2 to 3 dairy products and approximately 150 g of carbohydrates. Limit your fat intake.

Resources

• My Food Advisor: Meal planning and tips