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Step 1
Create a diet plan that allows for little room for mistakes. This means planning serving sizes, time of the meals and emergency snacks. Even if something comes up and you must make substitutions, you should learn what foods have an equal amount of carbohydrates and calories, so you can easily switch without causing a sugar spike in your blood.
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Step 2
Plan your meals so they are never more than three hours apart. This is the second most important thing for a successful Type 1 diabetic diet plan. Eating small meals frequently controls blood sugar and lowers the need for insulin. Eating frequently also reduces appetite, which in turn eases cravings for carbohydrates.
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Step 3
Study the food pyramid to learn more about serving sizes and what constitutes a healthy portion (see Resources below). Do keep in mind that the food pyramid was developed for healthy people with a higher need for carbs, so you should reduce your carbohydrate intake by 10 to 15 percent from what is recommended there.
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Step 4
Eat a small snack before going to bed. This will keep your blood sugar stable during the night and help you start the next day with a better disposition. Make sure the snack includes a carbohydrate and a protein (such as a sugar-free yogurt or some saltine crackers with an ounce of cheese).
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Step 5
Reduce your salt intake. This will help control your blood pressure and take pressure off your heart. Since people with type 1 diabetes are more prone to heart problems, making this small change can help tremendously in the long run.
