Attention should be paid to the types of food, amounts of food, timing of the meals, and a realistic meal plan that fits into the person's lifestyle. The meal planning tool recommended by the American Diabetes Association is the Exchange List for meal planning. This allows the person to select a wide variety of meals with equivalent nutritional content. Implementing an individualized meal plan for diabetes management helps promote improved blood sugar control, improved blood lipid levels, and improved overall health and well-being. Consult a registered dietitian for an individualized meal plan for a person with diabetes.
Children require extra attention when it comes to diabetic meal planning.
The affiliate of the American Diabetes Association in each state is an excellent resource for educational materials and programs for people with diabetes.