5 Tips for Meal Planning With Type 2 Diabetes

Choosing the right foods and the right portion sizes is essential to managing blood sugar. Try this simple method for preparing a type 2 diabetes-friendly meal.

close transcript modal

Transcript

00:00
NARRATOR: Five foods for meal planning with type 2 diabetes. [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06
A healthy diet is important to manage type 2 diabetes. Eating the right foods helps maintain consistent blood sugar levels that can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
00:15
Here are five foods to incorporate while meal planning. Number one, non-starchy vegetables--
00:22
non-starchy vegetables include broccoli, beets, leafy greens, sweet peppers.
00:29
Frozen veggies are a good option. Fill one half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables.
00:36
Number two, protein-- try to eat more of the following proteins-- eggs, chicken, fatty fish like salmon, plant proteins
00:44
like beans and lentils. Try to limit red meat like beef and pork, and choose lean cuts.
00:50
Fill one fourth of your plate with protein. Number three, high-fiber carbohydrates--
00:58
high-fiber carbs include wholegrain bread, brown rice, quinoa, whole-grain pasta.
01:04
Avoid foods that contain sugar and white flour. Use these to fill the remaining one fourth of your plate.
01:11
Number four, fruit and dairy-- some meal plans may allow for servings of fruit or dairy with the meal.
01:19
Number five, healthy fats-- small amounts of healthy fats are important to nutrition.
01:27
Sources of healthy fats include olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds.
01:34
Remember, nutritional needs vary from person to person. Talk to your health care provider about your needs.
01:42
And consider working with a nutritionist or a dietitian to create a personalized meal plan.

More On

My diabetes journey

video

My diabetes journey
Mitch is a type 2 diabetes patient who has found success managing diabetes with injectable medications. In this video, he shares his diabetes journey....
3 Reasons to Reduce Blood Sugar

article

3 Reasons to Reduce Blood Sugar
If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or blood sugar on the high side of normal, we have some sound reasons why it’s essential to reduce blood sugar. No...
7 Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Diabetes Risk

slideshow

7 Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Diabetes Risk
More than 30 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. Lower your odds of developing the condition with these smart ideas.
5 tips for coping with type 2 diabetes

video

5 tips for coping with type 2 diabetes
You may be focused on your physical health but it's important to pay attention to your mental health too. Watch and empower yourself with these helpfu...
Living well with diabetes

video

Living well with diabetes
Mitch shares how family, hobbies, his healthcare team, and the right medication help him keep type 2 diabetes under control.