#DIABETES MEAL PLAN CHART PLUS#

Also, try to limit simple carbohydrates, like white flour, white rice, white pasta and sugar. Stick to drinks that have zero calories, like water, seltzer and unsweetened tea.

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.

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.

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.

#DIABETES MEAL PLAN CHART PLUS#

High-fiber foods include whole grains (quinoa, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, whole-wheat pasta), plus fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils. Like protein, it's broken down slowly and prevents blood sugar spikes. Fiber: Fiber, a type of carbohydrate that isn't digested, helps improve our blood sugars.As a general rule, aim to include a protein every time you have a carbohydrate food. 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. Protein also helps increase satiety, helping you feel fuller longer. 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: Eating protein, like meat, chicken, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, nuts or other vegetarian proteins with most of your meals helps improve your blood sugars.Your dietitian can help you figure out the right combination and amount of protein to eat. Both animal and plant foods have protein. More protein than you need makes your kidneys work harder and may make CKD worse. Your doctor may prescribe a potassium binder, a medicine that helps your body get rid of extra potassium.Įat the right amount of protein. Apples, carrots, and white bread are lower in potassium. Oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, whole-grain bread, and many other foods are high in potassium. With CKD, too much potassium can build up in your blood and cause serious heart problems. The right level of potassium keeps your nerves and muscles working well. Phosphorus is also added to lots of packaged foods. Meat, dairy, beans, nuts, whole-grain bread, and dark-colored sodas are high in phosphorus. Too much weakens bones and can damage your blood vessels, eyes, and heart. Your kidneys can’t remove extra phosphorus from your blood very well. Phosphorus is a mineral that keeps your bones strong and other parts of your body healthy. Many foods that are part of a typical healthy diet may not be right for a CKD diet. Many are very high in potassium, which you may need to limit.ĭepending on your stage of kidney disease, you may also need to reduce the potassium, phosphorus, and protein in your diet.

But don’t use salt substitutes unless your doctor or dietitian says you can. In a week or two, you’ll get used to less salt in your food, especially if you dial up the flavor with herbs, spices, mustard, and flavored vinegars. Look for low sodium (5% or less) on food labels. Less sodium in your diet will help lower blood pressure and decrease fluid buildup in your body, which is common in kidney disease.įocus on fresh, homemade food and eat only small amounts of restaurant food and packaged food, which usually have lots of sodium. Over time, your kidneys lose the ability to control your sodium-water balance. That’s a good move for diabetes and really important for CKD. Your specific diet will depend on whether you’re in early-stage or late-stage CKD or if you’re on dialysis. With a CKD diet, you’ll avoid or limit certain foods to protect your kidneys, and you’ll include other foods to give you energy and keep you nourished. Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or vitamins. Some vitamins can cause kidney problems too and should also be avoided. Some can hurt your kidneys and even make kidney disease worse. Herbal supplements aren’t safe if you have kidney disease.

Diabetes meal plan chart