You do not need special diabetic foods, (e.g. jams, marmalades, biscuits, cakes, sweets, chocolates) because you have diabetes.
Many of these products are not very tasty, they are expensive and often there are cheaper sugar free alternatives available in the supermarkets.
Diabetic foods have as much fat and calories as their sugary equivalents and they are, therefore not suitable if you are overweight.
EAT REGULAR MEALS
Eating the right food but also eating regularly is important to control your type 2 diabetes. Your blood sugar will be better controlled if you eat little and often. This means having regular meals and snacks so that your food is spread through out the day. Do not skip meals and make sure you take breakfast.
If you are on certain tablets or insulin, regular meals and snack can help avoid symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia .
MEAL IDEAS
There are plenty of meals to choose from and here area few examples to show you how easy your diet can be.
Quick and Easy Meal Ideas
BREAKFAST
Wholegrain cereal. i.e Shredded wheat, bran flakes or corn flakes with banana and semi- skimmed milk
Weetabix with dried fruit or fruitbix and milk
Porridge and a small glass of unsweetened fruit juice
Instant oat Cereal or cornmeal porridge with hot milk
Wholegrain toast with low sugar marmalade or thinly spread jam
Well cooked egg and wholemeal toast
Grilled bacon and tomato on toast
Bacon sandwich
Tinned grapefruit or prunes in natural juice and whole meal toast
MAIN MEALS
Roast lean meats,/ mince/ chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes
Grilled fish, vegetables / salad and jacket potato
Poached/ oven baked fish or boil in the bag with peas and potatoes
Chicken and rice / yam / plantain and vegetables
Spaghetti bolognaise and side salad
Meat / fish / curry with chapattis, rice and salad
Omelette with various fillings, peppers, courgettes
Sausage, mashed potatoes and baked beans
Shepherds pie and vegetables
Vegetarian
vegetable curry / dhal, chapattis / rice and salad
Macaroni cheese with grilled or tinned tomatoes.
LIGHT MEALS
homemade or whole some tinned soups which include peas or lentils with bread roll
Baked beans/tinned fish or scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast
Tinned spaghetti in tomato sauce on toast topped with cheese
Grilled Fish fingers and mushy peas
Egg / fish / lean meat salad and a granary cob
Jacket potato with tuna and sweetcorn/ baked beans/ cheese served with salas
Wholemeal sandwiches or toasties filled with egg and cress/ tuna and cucumber / lean meat and salad filling
Chapattis with dhal and salad
DESSERTS
Stewed fruit with low sugar, low fat custard (make at home with skimmed / semi-skimmed milk and sweeten with an artificial sweetener)
Fruit tinned in natural juice
Fresh fruit
Milk pudding (without added sugar)
Plain ice cream and sugar free jelly
Low fat, low sugar yoghurt or fromage frais (look for brands labelled ‘diet’)
Sugar free instant whip
fresh fruit salad and ice cream
IDEAS FOR IN BETWEEN MEALS
Fresh fruit
Biscuits, e.g. Rich Tea, Morning Coffee, reduced fat digestives
Fromage Frais or yoghurt, use ‘diet’ or natural
Glass of milk or coffee made with skimmed / semi-skimmed milk
Small scone / teacake / crumpet
Crisp bread / cracker bread with low fat topping – low fat spread / reduced fat cheese spread / reduced fat cream cheese / low fat cottage cheese / reduced fat hommous.
Instant soups
SUITABLE DRINKS
Teas, coffees, cocoa - no added sugar (although artificial sweeteners may be used)
Sugar free squashes and ‘diet’ fizzy drinks
Unsweetened fruit juice should be kept to one small glass per day, preferably with a meal.
ref: LNDS website Eating well and keeping well with diabetes, DUk and BDA
Updated 5th January 2006
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