Diabetic Diet Menu Ideas

First and foremost it's important to understand that there is no such thing as a diabetic menu. Diabetics are asked to be more cautious with regards to what they eat, because an unhealthy diet can cause their blood sugar levels to rise. Maintaining one's weight is of prime importance for a diabetic. They need to minimize the intake of sugary foods, sodas, sodium, high-carb foods, etc.

Ideally, a diabetic must consume well spread out (in terms of calories), healthy, well-balanced meals. Having said this, this doesn't mean diabetics are confined to eating bland, flavorless foods. As a diabetic, one needs to exercise portion control. Even if you eat something sweet, the portion must be small. Portion control helps you enjoy your favorite foods, as well as helps control your weight and blood sugar levels.

In type 1 diabetes, a person's body cannot produce adequate amounts of insulin hormone. While type 1 diabetes cannot be controlled by diet alone, controlling one's diet is important. People with this type of diabetes have to find the right balance between the insulin taken and the food they consume. The dietitian will help formulate a diet routine.

On a general note, the daily diet for a type 1 diabetic patient should be one which is rich in dietary fiber. Moreover, the amount of sodium intake should also be reduced. Foods low in sodium, carbohydrates, and fat are recommended. Then again, there is no need to avoid sweet foods completely. Eating them in moderation is alright once in a while. Artificial sweeteners can be added to foods, because they do not alter blood sugar levels.

People with type 2 diabetes can keep their sugar levels in control by being cautious about the food they consume. A controlled diet and exercise helps control type 2 diabetes.

Breakfast
The different breakfast foods that a type 2 diabetic patient can consume is as follows:

• ½ cup oatmeal
• ½ cup skimmed milk
• Muffins
• Toast

• ½ cup fat free yogurt
• Orange
• Berries

Lunch 
The different lunch options for diabetics are as follows:

• Salad with olive oil dressing
• Brown bread vegetable-meat sandwich
• Whole wheat tortillas with filling

Snack
There are some low carb snacks for diabetics, that should be consumed in between meals to prevent binge eating. The different snacks are as follows:

• Pistachios
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Dried fruit

Dinner
The different dishes that can be had by diabetics at dinner time are:

• Pinto beans
• Lentils over brown rice
• Baked or grilled fish
• Bowl of dark green leafy vegetables

Dessert 
Fat-free yogurt can be consumed as dessert with some low sugar fruits such as apples, guavas, papayas, etc.

During pregnancy some women encounter a temporary form of diabetes, called gestational diabetes, which is caused by pregnancy hormones. Women with gestational diabetes need to distribute their carbohydrate intake over 3 small to medium meals and 2 - 4 snacks a day.

Breakfast
Since consumption of carbohydrate results in rapid rise in blood sugar levels, it is best to consume more of proteins at breakfast. Chicken, turkey, egg, etc., keep one fuller for the day. The carbohydrate intake at breakfast should not exceed 30 grams.

The different foods that can be consumed are:

• Slice of bread
• Bagel
• Wheat pancake
• Oatmeal
• Corn tortilla
• English muffin
• Veggie sausage
• Scrambled eggs

Lunch
The carbohydrate limit at lunch is 45 grams. The different options are:

• Chicken/meat sandwich
• Lentil soup
• Carrots
• Apple
• Lettuce
• Tomato

Dinner
The carbohydrate limit to be maintained at dinner time is 45 - 60 grams. The different food items diabetics can eat at dinner time are:

• One cup pasta
• Brown rice
• Small potato
• Beef

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Pork
• Fish
• Salad
• Tofu
• Bowl of vegetables
• Reduced fat milk

Snacks
Snacks should be had in between meals to stabilize the blood sugar levels. The carbohydrate limit in snacks for a day is 15 grams. To keep the blood sugar under control, one should have a light snack everyday before going to bed.

The different snacks that can be consumed are as follows:

• Saltine crackers (6)
• Pretzels (¾ of an ounce)
• Graham crackers (3)
• Popcorn (3 cups)
• Fresh fruit (4 ounce)
• Cottage cheese (1 cup)
• Cookies (2)
• Yogurt (6 ounces)
• Grapes (1 cup)

Overall, as a diabetic you need to know how to balance out your meals. If you had a high calorie meal, consume low calorie meals the next meal/day to compensate for the same. Moreover, don't forget portion control is the key!