Diet Plans for Diabetes

Q - Are there special diet plans for diabetes patients?

A - Yes.

Q - Do I need a diet plan for diabetes?

A - If you have diabetes mellitus, then you need one. It doesn't matter whether it's gestational diabetes, type 1, or type 2 diabetes. Every diabetic needs to have a diet plan to achieve optimal results.

Q - Why is a diet plan important?

A - It's important to have a diet plan because the success of any form of treatment for diabetes depends - to a great extent - on eating right. The plan is just to help you eat right.

Q - Who prepares the plan?

A - It is usually prepared by a qualified dietician. You should look for a dietician that is registered with the national body in your country.

Q - What will a diet plan tell me?

A - Your diet plan is a guide that will provide the following information to help you make the right decisions, such as:

1. How many meals you should take per day.
2. How often you can take snacks.
3. What types of foods you should avoid.
4. What types of foods to take.
5. Relevant exchange lists containing foods you are familiar with.
6. Where to find recipes you'd love and those that other members of your family who don't have diabetes will love too.

Q - Can I change a diet plan?

A - Of course, you can. If it's not working for you, change it, but only with the help of your dietician or diabetic care provider. You may be bored with the foods in your present plan, or you just learnt of some new meals that you want to include in it. Whatever the reason, it's ok to change it but with proper consultations.

Q - Where can I find a Diabetes Diet Plan?

A -

1. The best option will be to have one made specially for you by your dietician. This is because it will be specifically tailored to suit you.
2. However, if you can't get a dietician, a useful resource is the American Diabetes Association's nutrition page.

Created - June, 2006

Principles guiding Diet Plans For Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus Q & A