Meal Planning Ideas for a Diabetic Exchange

There are three primary food groups for diabetic exchange. These are carbohydrates, protein and fats. Managing how these three food groups are consumed helps diabetics control their disease. A great deal of the diabetic lifestyle centers on food. Learning to plan meals for diabetic exchange saves time and controls diabetes.

Portion and Serving Sizes

• Learn the correct portion sizes for different foods. The amount of carbohydrates, protein and fats listed on food labels is based on the labeled serving size. Eating different amounts from the proportions listed requires a little math. For example, if you are going to eat a half-serving, you would divide the numbers on the label in half to know how much you will be eating. The label might read 20g carbohydrates.You would calculate your diabetic exchange based on 10 grams of carbohydrates for a half-serving.

Adjust Sizes and Proportions

• A standard serving size on a label might not be the portion size taught to you by your dietitian to control your diabetes. Adjust the serving size of the food to match the correct portion size by referring to the diabetic exchange charts. For example, the serving size might list 6 ounces of a particular food. Refer to your portion sizes. A healthy portion might be only 4 ounces. In this instance, you are eating 1 and one-half portions and should base your diabetic exchanges on the actual portion size, not the suggested serving size.

Creating the Meal Plans

• Make individual main meal plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Write these meal plans on separate sheets of paper. Review your list of recommended foods, exchanges and portion sizes when making the meal plans. Repeat this process until you have a minimum of eight lists per meal. Select foods that you enjoy eating, that are in season, and that you can afford. It doesn't do any good to list foods you won't buy or eat. Feel free to use the same foods on the meal plans, but remember to give yourself some variety. Variety will ensure a healthier range of nutrients and prevent boredom with the menus.

  Select one menu for each of the three main meals. Place them in a stack. Repeat this for each day of the week. Review the meal plans. Write a shopping list based on the ingredients and items needed to follow the meal plans. This will ensure you have all the appropriate foods available during the week, to avoid the temptation of straying from your diabetes diet.

  Repeat these steps to make a minimum of six snack meals. Diabetics should include snacks in their daily diet to maintain consistent sugar glucose levels in their blood stream. Be sure to refer to the recommended foods and exchanges when selecting snack meals. Add the snack meal sheets to the daily stacks. Add the ingredients or items needed to the shopping list.