Being diagnosed with diabetes can bring with it a rollercoaster of emotions—and a lot of confusion on what to eat. In this healthy diabetes diet plan for beginners, we include a week of simple meals and snacks using recipes that are easy to follow, without long ingredient lists. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking to get back on track, this simple meal plan is a great place to start. While this isn’t necessarily a diabetes weight-loss meal plan, research, such as the 2022 study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, suggests that weight loss may help improve blood sugar levels. If weight loss is your goal, we set the calorie level at 1,500 per day, which is a level where most people lose weight, plus included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories a day, depending on your calorie needs, satiety levels and blood sugar readings. Diabetes Diet Basics: How to Get Started Being diagnosed with diabetes can feel overwhelming. It’s difficult to know where to start, what to believe and how to make changes to your routine. As with most health changes that we want to become habits, the trick is to start small. Perhaps begin by swapping one sugar-sweetened drink a day with water and gradually increase the number of drinks you’re replacing until you’ve replaced most or all of them. If you eat out a lot, incorporate more home-cooked meals, starting with one meal at a time. Also consider adding more fruits, non-starchy vegetables, lean protein and whole grains to your plate (which is just what you’ll see in this meal plan). There are a few key changes that can help improve your blood sugars: Protein: Eating protein, like meat, chicken, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, nuts or other vegetarian proteins with most of your meals helps improve your blood sugars. Protein slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and the absorption of glucose into your bloodstream, which means your blood sugars will stay more stable. Protein also helps increase satiety, helping you feel fuller longer. So, the next time you opt for a slice of toast for breakfast, consider topping it with natural peanut butter or an egg, instead of jam, for better blood sugar control. As a general rule, aim to include a protein every time you have a carbohydrate food.Fiber: Fiber, a type of carbohydrate that isn’t digested, helps improve our blood sugars. Like protein, it’s broken down slowly and prevents blood sugar spikes. High-fiber foods include whole grains (quinoa, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, whole-wheat pasta), plus fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils.Weight loss: If you’re overweight, losing 5-10% of your body weight has been correlated with better blood sugar control, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Diabetic Medicine. Typically, if we focus on healthy nutrition changes to lower our blood sugar, like increasing protein and eating more vegetables, weight loss tends to follow on its own.Cut back on sugar and simple carbohydrates: Because sugary drinks can pack in a ton of sugar, avoiding them is often the best first step to improve your blood sugar control. Stick to drinks that have zero calories, like water, seltzer and unsweetened tea. Also, try to limit simple carbohydrates, like white flour, white rice, white pasta and sugar. These foods are low in fiber and are quickly digested, releasing sugar into our blood, which causes blood sugar spikes.Regular meal routine: A routine of three meals a day with one or two high-protein or high-fiber snacks helps keep our blood sugars stable. Skipping meals can lead to overindulging later, resulting in blood sugar lows and spikes, which leaves us feeling lethargic. Eating regular meals and snacks also prevents us from getting too hungry and makes it easier to manage portions.Exercise: According to the American Diabetes Association, a combination of cardio exercise, like walking, jogging, or biking, plus strength training, helps lower blood sugars. Moving more is beneficial, and it doesn’t have to be an hour back-breaking exercise at the gym. A 2016 study published in the journal Diabetologia suggests that walking for 10 minutes after each meal can lower your blood sugars by 12% when compared to a single 30-minute walk per day. Regardless of how you like to exercise, moving more and sitting less is always a good idea. What to Eat with Diabetes: ChickenTurkeyLean beef and pork (try to limit to twice a week)FishBeansLentilsNuts, peanuts and natural nut butters that don’t contain sugarOlive and avocado oilAvocadosFruits, especially fruits with skin and seeds, like berries, apples and pearsVegetables, especially low-carb non-starchy vegetables, which is most vegetables except corn, peas and potatoesHigher-fiber complex carbohydrates, like oatmeal, quinoa and starchy vegetables (winter squash, corn, peas and potatoes)Greek yogurt How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals Prepare Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad for lunch on Days 2 through 5. Make Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar to have for breakfast throughout the week. Day 1 Garlic Butter-Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus Breakfast (330 calories) 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup blueberries 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts A.M. Snack (131 calories) 1 large pear Lunch (360 calories) 1 serving White Bean & Veggie Salad P.M. Snack (170 calories) 22 unsalted dry-roasted almonds Dinner (522 calories) 1 serving Garlic Butter-Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus Daily Totals: 1,513 calories, 77 g protein, 114 g carbohydrates, 30 g fiber, 91 g fat, 798 mg sodium To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the walnuts at breakfast and change the P.M. snack to 1/2 cup sliced cucumber. To Make It 2,000 Calories: Increase to 4 Tbsp. chopped walnuts at breakfast, add 1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to A.M. snack, and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner. Day 2 stuffed potatoes with salsa Breakfast (295 calories) 1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar 1 large pear A.M. Snack (272 calories) ⅓ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds Lunch (374 calories) 1 serving Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad P.M. Snack (95 calories) 1 medium apple Dinner (473 calories) 1 serving Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans 2 cups mixed greens 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette Daily Totals: 1,509 calories, 63 g protein, 148 g carbohydrate, 35 g fiber, 81 g fat, 1,625 mg sodium To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the pear at breakfast and change the A.M. snack to 15 almonds. To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 1 1/2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast and add 1 whole avocado, sliced, to dinner. Day 3 20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet Credit: Jason Donnelly Breakfast (295 calories) 1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar 1 large pear A.M. Snack (116 calories) 1 large apple Lunch (374 calories) 1 serving Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad P.M. Snack (268 calories) 1 cup blackberries ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds Dinner (425 calories) 1 serving 20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet ½ cup cooked brown rice Daily Totals: 1,479 calories, 82 g protein, 139 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 69 g fat, 1,271 mg sodium To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the pear at breakfast and reduce to 10 almonds at the P.M. snack. To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 2 1/2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to A.M. snack and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner. Day 4 spinach & strawberry meal-prep salad Breakfast (330 calories) 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup blueberries 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts A.M. Snack (131 calories) 1 large pear Lunch (374 calories) 1 serving Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad P.M. Snack (268 calories) 1 cup blackberries ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds Dinner (415 calories) 1 serving Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale 1 slice whole-wheat bread Daily Totals: 1,518 calories, 87 g protein, 120 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 83 g fat, 1,390 mg sodium To Make It 1,200 Calories: Reduce the walnuts to 1 Tbsp. at breakfast and omit the almonds at the P.M. snack. To Make It 2,000 Calories: Increase to 4 Tbsp. chopped walnuts at breakfast, add 1/3 cup almonds to A.M. snack, and add 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast to lunch. Day 5 Slow-Cooker Chicken White Bean Stew Breakfast (330 calories) 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup blueberries 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts A.M. Snack (154 calories) 20 unsalted dry-roasted almonds Lunch (374 calories) 1 serving Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad P.M. Snack (141 calories) 1 medium bell pepper, sliced ¼ cup hummus Dinner (493 calories) 1 serving Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew Meal-Prep Tip: Reserve 2 servings of Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew to have for lunch on Days 6 & 7. Daily Totals: 1,493 calories, 107 g protein, 107 g carbohydrates, 44 g fiber, 73 g fat, 1,366 mg sodium To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the walnuts at breakfast and change the A.M. snack to 1/2 cucumber, sliced. To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 1 medium apple to A.M. snack, add 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast to lunch, and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner. Day 6 greek-salad-with-edamame.jpeg Breakfast (295 calories) 1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar 1 large pear A.M. Snack (62 calories) 1 medium orange Lunch (493 calories) 1 serving Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew P.M. Snack (131 calories) 1 large pear Dinner (504 calories) 1 serving Greek Salad with Edamame ½ avocado, sliced Daily Totals: 1,485 calories, 81 g protein, 170 g carbohydrates, 61 g fiber, 60 g fat, 1,497 mg sodium To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the pear at breakfast and omit the avocado at dinner. To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 1/4 cup almonds to A.M. snack, add 1/4 cup walnut halves to P.M. snack, and increase to 1 whole avocado at dinner. Day 7 7690850.jpg Breakfast (330 calories) 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup blueberries 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts A.M. Snack (206 calories) ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds Lunch (493 calories) 1 serving Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew P.M. Snack (62 calories) 1 medium orange Dinner (421 calories) 1 serving Spicy Shrimp Tacos Daily Totals: 1,512 calories, 99 g protein, 130 g carbohydrates, 44 g fiber, 72 g fat, 1,480 mg sodium To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the walnuts at breakfast and change the A.M. snack to 1 clementine. To Make It 2,000 Calories: Increase to 4 Tbsp. chopped walnuts at breakfast, increase to 1/3 cup almonds and add 1 large pear at A.M. snack, and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner.
` teal and pink LivingWell with Diabetes logo on white background View Series 7-Day Meal Plan for Insulin Resistance 7-Day No-Sugar Meal Plan for Diabetes The #1 Snack to Buy at Trader Joe’s for Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian Can People with Diabetes Drink Beer?
Being diagnosed with diabetes can bring with it a rollercoaster of emotions—and a lot of confusion on what to eat. In this healthy diabetes diet plan for beginners, we include a week of simple meals and snacks using recipes that are easy to follow, without long ingredient lists. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking to get back on track, this simple meal plan is a great place to start.
While this isn’t necessarily a diabetes weight-loss meal plan, research, such as the 2022 study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, suggests that weight loss may help improve blood sugar levels.
If weight loss is your goal, we set the calorie level at 1,500 per day, which is a level where most people lose weight, plus included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories a day, depending on your calorie needs, satiety levels and blood sugar readings.
Diabetes Diet Basics: How to Get Started
Being diagnosed with diabetes can feel overwhelming. It’s difficult to know where to start, what to believe and how to make changes to your routine. As with most health changes that we want to become habits, the trick is to start small.
Perhaps begin by swapping one sugar-sweetened drink a day with water and gradually increase the number of drinks you’re replacing until you’ve replaced most or all of them. If you eat out a lot, incorporate more home-cooked meals, starting with one meal at a time. Also consider adding more fruits, non-starchy vegetables, lean protein and whole grains to your plate (which is just what you’ll see in this meal plan).
There are a few key changes that can help improve your blood sugars:
Protein: Eating protein, like meat, chicken, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, nuts or other vegetarian proteins with most of your meals helps improve your blood sugars. Protein slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and the absorption of glucose into your bloodstream, which means your blood sugars will stay more stable. Protein also helps increase satiety, helping you feel fuller longer. So, the next time you opt for a slice of toast for breakfast, consider topping it with natural peanut butter or an egg, instead of jam, for better blood sugar control. As a general rule, aim to include a protein every time you have a carbohydrate food.Fiber: Fiber, a type of carbohydrate that isn’t digested, helps improve our blood sugars. Like protein, it’s broken down slowly and prevents blood sugar spikes. High-fiber foods include whole grains (quinoa, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, whole-wheat pasta), plus fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils.Weight loss: If you’re overweight, losing 5-10% of your body weight has been correlated with better blood sugar control, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Diabetic Medicine. Typically, if we focus on healthy nutrition changes to lower our blood sugar, like increasing protein and eating more vegetables, weight loss tends to follow on its own.Cut back on sugar and simple carbohydrates: Because sugary drinks can pack in a ton of sugar, avoiding them is often the best first step to improve your blood sugar control. Stick to drinks that have zero calories, like water, seltzer and unsweetened tea. Also, try to limit simple carbohydrates, like white flour, white rice, white pasta and sugar. These foods are low in fiber and are quickly digested, releasing sugar into our blood, which causes blood sugar spikes.Regular meal routine: A routine of three meals a day with one or two high-protein or high-fiber snacks helps keep our blood sugars stable. Skipping meals can lead to overindulging later, resulting in blood sugar lows and spikes, which leaves us feeling lethargic. Eating regular meals and snacks also prevents us from getting too hungry and makes it easier to manage portions.Exercise: According to the American Diabetes Association, a combination of cardio exercise, like walking, jogging, or biking, plus strength training, helps lower blood sugars. Moving more is beneficial, and it doesn’t have to be an hour back-breaking exercise at the gym. A 2016 study published in the journal Diabetologia suggests that walking for 10 minutes after each meal can lower your blood sugars by 12% when compared to a single 30-minute walk per day. Regardless of how you like to exercise, moving more and sitting less is always a good idea.
What to Eat with Diabetes:
ChickenTurkeyLean beef and pork (try to limit to twice a week)FishBeansLentilsNuts, peanuts and natural nut butters that don’t contain sugarOlive and avocado oilAvocadosFruits, especially fruits with skin and seeds, like berries, apples and pearsVegetables, especially low-carb non-starchy vegetables, which is most vegetables except corn, peas and potatoesHigher-fiber complex carbohydrates, like oatmeal, quinoa and starchy vegetables (winter squash, corn, peas and potatoes)Greek yogurt
How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals
Prepare Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad for lunch on Days 2 through 5. Make Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar to have for breakfast throughout the week.
Day 1
Garlic Butter-Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus
Breakfast (330 calories)
1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup blueberries 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
A.M. Snack (131 calories)
1 large pear
Lunch (360 calories)
1 serving White Bean & Veggie Salad
P.M. Snack (170 calories)
22 unsalted dry-roasted almonds
Dinner (522 calories)
1 serving Garlic Butter-Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus
Daily Totals: 1,513 calories, 77 g protein, 114 g carbohydrates, 30 g fiber, 91 g fat, 798 mg sodium
To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the walnuts at breakfast and change the P.M. snack to 1/2 cup sliced cucumber.
To Make It 2,000 Calories: Increase to 4 Tbsp. chopped walnuts at breakfast, add 1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to A.M. snack, and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner.
Day 2
stuffed potatoes with salsa
Breakfast (295 calories)
1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar 1 large pear
A.M. Snack (272 calories)
⅓ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds
Lunch (374 calories)
1 serving Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad
P.M. Snack (95 calories)
1 medium apple
Dinner (473 calories)
1 serving Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans 2 cups mixed greens 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,509 calories, 63 g protein, 148 g carbohydrate, 35 g fiber, 81 g fat, 1,625 mg sodium
To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the pear at breakfast and change the A.M. snack to 15 almonds.
To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 1 1/2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast and add 1 whole avocado, sliced, to dinner.
Day 3
20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet Credit: Jason Donnelly
1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar 1 large pear
A.M. Snack (116 calories)
1 large apple
P.M. Snack (268 calories)
1 cup blackberries ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds
Dinner (425 calories)
1 serving 20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet ½ cup cooked brown rice
Daily Totals: 1,479 calories, 82 g protein, 139 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 69 g fat, 1,271 mg sodium
To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the pear at breakfast and reduce to 10 almonds at the P.M. snack.
To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 2 1/2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to A.M. snack and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner.
Day 4
spinach & strawberry meal-prep salad
Dinner (415 calories)
1 serving Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale 1 slice whole-wheat bread
Daily Totals: 1,518 calories, 87 g protein, 120 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 83 g fat, 1,390 mg sodium
To Make It 1,200 Calories: Reduce the walnuts to 1 Tbsp. at breakfast and omit the almonds at the P.M. snack.
To Make It 2,000 Calories: Increase to 4 Tbsp. chopped walnuts at breakfast, add 1/3 cup almonds to A.M. snack, and add 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast to lunch.
Day 5
Slow-Cooker Chicken White Bean Stew
A.M. Snack (154 calories)
20 unsalted dry-roasted almonds
P.M. Snack (141 calories)
1 medium bell pepper, sliced ¼ cup hummus
Dinner (493 calories)
1 serving Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew
Meal-Prep Tip: Reserve 2 servings of Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew to have for lunch on Days 6 & 7.
Daily Totals: 1,493 calories, 107 g protein, 107 g carbohydrates, 44 g fiber, 73 g fat, 1,366 mg sodium
To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the walnuts at breakfast and change the A.M. snack to 1/2 cucumber, sliced.
To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 1 medium apple to A.M. snack, add 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast to lunch, and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner.
Day 6
greek-salad-with-edamame.jpeg
1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Broccoli, Ham & Cheddar 1 large pear
A.M. Snack (62 calories)
1 medium orange
Lunch (493 calories)
P.M. Snack (131 calories)
Dinner (504 calories)
1 serving Greek Salad with Edamame ½ avocado, sliced
Daily Totals: 1,485 calories, 81 g protein, 170 g carbohydrates, 61 g fiber, 60 g fat, 1,497 mg sodium
To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the pear at breakfast and omit the avocado at dinner.
To Make It 2,000 Calories: Add 1/4 cup almonds to A.M. snack, add 1/4 cup walnut halves to P.M. snack, and increase to 1 whole avocado at dinner.
Day 7
7690850.jpg
A.M. Snack (206 calories)
¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds
P.M. Snack (62 calories)
Dinner (421 calories)
1 serving Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Daily Totals: 1,512 calories, 99 g protein, 130 g carbohydrates, 44 g fiber, 72 g fat, 1,480 mg sodium
To Make It 1,200 Calories: Omit the walnuts at breakfast and change the A.M. snack to 1 clementine.
To Make It 2,000 Calories: Increase to 4 Tbsp. chopped walnuts at breakfast, increase to 1/3 cup almonds and add 1 large pear at A.M. snack, and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner.
Garlic Butter-Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus
Garlic Butter-Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus
stuffed potatoes with salsa
stuffed potatoes with salsa
20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet Credit: Jason Donnelly
20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet
Credit: Jason Donnelly
spinach & strawberry meal-prep salad
spinach & strawberry meal-prep salad
Slow-Cooker Chicken White Bean Stew
Slow-Cooker Chicken White Bean Stew
greek-salad-with-edamame.jpeg
greek-salad-with-edamame.jpeg
7690850.jpg
7690850.jpg
` teal and pink LivingWell with Diabetes logo on white background View Series 7-Day Meal Plan for Insulin Resistance 7-Day No-Sugar Meal Plan for Diabetes The #1 Snack to Buy at Trader Joe’s for Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian Can People with Diabetes Drink Beer?
` teal and pink LivingWell with Diabetes logo on white background View Series
7-Day Meal Plan for Insulin Resistance 7-Day No-Sugar Meal Plan for Diabetes The #1 Snack to Buy at Trader Joe’s for Lower Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian Can People with Diabetes Drink Beer?
teal and pink LivingWell with Diabetes logo on white background View Series
teal and pink LivingWell with Diabetes logo on white background
View Series
teal and pink LivingWell with Diabetes logo on white background
teal and pink LivingWell with Diabetes logo on white background
