Nutrition for People with Diabetes - Meal Plans
Meal Plans
No single diet is right for every person with diabetes. Needs vary, and sometimes responsibilities—work, kids, school, community—can make it difficult to have a good meal at a particular time. See how Glucerna can become part of a healthy diet and help you achieve your treatment goals!
Mrs. R - Career, kids and diabetes
Mr. J - Elevated cholesterol levels, newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
Mrs. O - Elderly, loves sweets, dislikes cooking
Mr. L - Busy, stressed and overweight
Mr. G - Overweight, family history of diabetes
Miss K - Athletic and weight-conscious
Mr. H - Type 2 diabetes, erratic schedule
Mrs. R - Career, kids and diabetes
- 42-year-old photographer
- 2 kids in grade school, new house
- Type 2 diabetes, diagnosed 4 years ago
- Frequent exercise
- Erratic schedule
Mrs. R is juggling career, two kids, a new house, and type 2 diabetes. With the kids in school, she has returned to her photography career capturing magnificent landscapes. Her doctor has prescribed a 1500-calorie diet. But between getting kids to extracurricular events and photographing the perfect sunset, her schedule is demanding-so eating regularly can be a challenge.
For on-the-go convenience, you can’t beat Glucerna nutritional drink or bars fit neatly into pocket, purse or briefcase.
1500-Calorie Diet with Glucerna
BREAKFAST
- Glucerna bar (available flavors are chocolate graham and lemon crunch)
- 250 mL fresh blueberries
- 1 slice whole wheat toast
- Coffee/tea
LUNCH
- ½ turkey sandwich (5 mL low-calorie mayonnaise, 1 slice whole wheat bread, 30g turkey)
- 1 dill pickle
- 125 ml grapes
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- 125 mL low-sugar, low-fat fruit yogurt
- 1 pear
DINNER
- 90 g lean roast beef
- 125 mL mashed potatoes
- 50 mL gravy
- 125 mL cooked carrots
- 1 whole-wheat roll with 5 mL margarine
- 375 mL spinach salad with 15 mL low-fat Italian salad dressing
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- Glucerna nutritional drink (available flavors are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry & wildberry)
Mr. J - Elevated cholesterol levels, newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
- Restaurant owner
- Hectic 12- to 15-hour workdays
- Family history of heart disease and diabetes
- Total cholesterol, 6.4 mmol/L
- LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, 3.3 mmol/L
- Overweight
For 20 years, Mr. J has run a busy, successful business that has meant little time with his family and irregular meal times. He eats on the run, and plenty of it is fast food. With elevated cholesterol levels and a family history of heart disease, his newly diagnosed diabetes puts him at significant risk of CHD. Mr. J's doctor has recommended a 1500-calorie, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. He has also recommended lifestyle modifications to increase exercise and decrease stress.
Glucerna is high in MUFA.* The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends consuming monounsaturated fat instead of saturated fats more often1.
* MUFA = monounsaturated fatty acids
1 CDA, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Dec. 2003, S28
1500-Calorie Diet with Glucerna
BREAKFAST
- ½ grapefruit
- Glucerna nutritional drink
- Coffee/tea
SNACK
- 2 graham crackers
- 1 apple
- Sugar-free beverage
LUNCH
- Ham sandwich (5 mL mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, 2 slices wheat bread, 60g ham
- 10 baby carrots
- 60 mL low-fat cottage cheese
- Sugar-free beverage
DINNER
- 250 mL tagliatelle with 125 mL mushrooms, 5 mL olive oil
- 90g sirloin steak
- 125 mL sautéed spinach with garlic and 5 mL olive oil
- 375 mL mixed greens with 30 mL low-fat vinaigrette dressing
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- 2 graham crackers
- Glucerna nutritional drink
Mrs. O - Elderly, loves sweets, dislikes cooking
- Retired
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive urination and thirst
- Eats at home and alone
Mrs. O is 75 years old and retired from her job as schoolteacher. She has few outside contacts, except for a few friends who play bridge together every week. Mrs. O has a sweet tooth and regularly consumes cola and candy. Meals are ready-to-eat to avoid the hassle of cooking. Sometimes she skips a meal altogether. Poor circulations, bouts of thirst and excessive urination have prompted her doctor to urge efforts at better control of her high glucose levels.
Satisfying, taste-tested flavors make Glucerna a healthy and appealing choice for a snack or small meal.
1200-Calorie Diet with Glucerna
BREAKFAST
- 175 mL bran flakes
- 125 mL nonfat milk
- 1 orange
- Coffee/tea
LUNCH
- Glucerna nutritional drink
- 1 small peach
DINNER
- Roasted chicken with vegetables (90g chicken, 175 mL potatoes, 125 mL zucchini, 125 mL carrots, 15 mL margarine or olive oil)
- 1 slice whole wheat bread
- 500 mL spinach salad with 15 mL Italian dressing
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- Glucerna nutritional drink
Mr. L - Busy, stressed and overweight
- 52 years old
- Diabetes diagnosed 10 years ago
- 4.5 – 9 kg overweight
- Moderately high blood pressure
- Minimal exercise
- Frequent travel, with many fast-food meals
Mr. L is a businessman with a demanding job who frequently travels on business from his Toronto headquarters. His company has just merged with another company, creating a high level of stress that may be contributing to the cold sweats and feelings of sluggishness that he's been experiencing at work. Noting his poor eating habits, excess weight, elevated blood pressure and erratic blood glucose levels, Mr. L's doctor has urged him to take steps to gain better control of his diabetes.
Glucerna’s scientific formula has been proven to provide more consistent blood glucose levels compared to a standard medical nutrional drink.1
Reference:
1. Fix BM, Lowe W, Cockram DB, Craig LD. Effect of a liquid
nutritional supplement containing a novel carbohydrate system on glucose
tolerance in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Ann Nutr Metab 2001;45
(suppl 1):277.
1800-Calorie Diet with Glucerna
BREAKFAST
- Rice congee w/ chicken (250 mL rice and 60 g chicken)
- Stir-fried cabbage (250 mL cabbage, 5 mL canola oil)
- Tea
SNACK
- Glucerna bar (available flavors are chocolate graham and lemon crunch)
LUNCH
- 1 sushi maki roll w/ fresh salmon and cucumber (4 pcs)
- 1 orange
- 3 fortune cookies
- Tea
SNACK
- 2 kiwi fruit
- Sugar-free beverage
DINNER
- 180g steamed yellow tail tuna
- 250 mL pork broth (fat skimmed)
- 375 mL rice noodles
- 500 mL stir-fried (10 mL canola oil) broccoli and garlic with mushrooms & water chestnuts
- 500 mL iceberg lettuce with 15 mL ginger salad dressing
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- Glucerna nutritional drink (available flavors are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry & wildberry)
Mr. G - Overweight, family history of diabetes
- 36-year-old married electrician
- Family history of diabetes
- 34 kg overweight
- Diagnosed as a result of dizzy spells at work
Mr. G was diagnosed with diabetes after experiencing persistent thirst, urination and dizzy spells at work. With both parents and several aunts and uncles diagnosed with diabetes, he is familiar with the risks and requirements of the disease. But with 34 kg in excess weight, Mr. G has particular dietary challenges. His doctor prescribed a 2000-calorie diet to help him gradually lose weight and manage his glucose levels. Mrs. G is an active participant in helping her husband stay on track.
Glucerna nutritional drink and bars are ideal choices for people with diabetes who must lose weight—only 230 calories in each can and 150 calories in each bar!
2000-Calorie Diet with Glucerna
BREAKFAST
- 1 breakfast burrito (125 mL pinto beans, 125 mL scrambled egg whites, 60 mL salsa, 1 flour tortilla)
- Coffee/ tea
SNACK
- Glucerna nutritional drink (available flavors are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry & wildberry)
- 1 banana
LUNCH
- 250 mL tortilla soup
- 1 mango
SNACK
- Glucerna nutritional drink
DINNER
- 90g grilled sirloin beef (sautéed with 30g onion and peppers in 10 mL canola oil)
- 90g rice
- 2 corn tortillas
- 120g jicama
- 5 mL margarine
- 125 mL lettuce
- 125 mL salsa
- 250 mL guacamole
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- Glucerna Bar (availbale flavors are chocolate graham and lemon crunch)
- 250 mL fresh diced pineapple
Miss K - Athletic and weight-conscious
- Aerobics instructor
- Type 1 diabetic for 5 years
- Compliant with doctor-prescribed diet
- Active in sports and other physical activities
Miss K has been active in sports all her life and currently teaches one aerobics class early in the morning and a yoga class in the evening. She often needs a pre-exercise snack to help control her blood glucose and prevent hypoglycemia while teaching aerobics class. Her doctor is pleased with how she manages her disease and has prescribed a 1800-calorie diabetic diet to provide enough calories for her busy lifestyle and to keep her glucose levels under control. Convenience is a big factor in maintaining her healthy diet.
Glucerna meets energy needs with balanced nutrition that is easy to take, even on the run!
1800-Calorie Diet with Glucerna
BREAKFAST
- 180g apple muesli (60 mL rolled oats, 60mL low-sugar, low-fat yogurt, ¼ sliced apple, 5 mL raisins)
- Coffee/tea
SNACK
- Glucerna nutritional drink (available flavors are vanille, chocolate, strawberry & wildberry)
- 8 wheat crackers
LUNCH
- ½ tuna sandwich (45g tuna, 5 mL reduced fat mayonnaise, 1 slice tomato, 1 lettuce leaf, 1 slice whole wheat bread)
- 10 thin twist pretzels
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- Glucerna bar (available flavors are chocolate graham and lemon crunch)
- 1 medium apple
DINNER
- 310 mL paella with seafood
- 375 mL broccoli with 5 mL margarine
- 250 mL mixed greens with 15 mL fat-free dressing
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- 125 mL strawberries
- 125 mL sugar-free pudding
Mr. H - Type 2 diabetes, erratic schedule
- 21-year-old college student
- Enjoys good food, socializing
- Schedule changes with each semester
Mr. H is a serious student with many friends who gather frequently for sports activities, movies and concerts. Food is usually part of any get-together. And, of course, there are plenty of late nights writing papers and studying for exams, when snacks are particularly welcome. Diabetes complicates his life. He has noticed some weight gain since starting college. He looks for three things in his meals: great taste, good nutrition and convenience.
Glucerna nutritional drink and bars are an easy, convenient, great-tasting way to get healthy nutrition, even with a busy work and social schedule!
2000-Calorie Diet with Glucerna
BREAKFAST
- 1 plain bagel toasted
- 30 mL low-fat cream cheese
- Coffee/ tea
SNACK
- 175 mL blueberries
- 175 mL low-sugar, low-fat yogurt
LUNCH
- 125 mL fruit salad
- 2 slices (total 130g) cheese pizza
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- Glucerna bar (available flavors are chocolate graham and lemon crunch)
- 1 small pear
DINNER
- 375 mL spaghetti with meat sauce
- 30 mL grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 slice garlic bread
- 375 mL tomato and asparagus salad with 10 mL olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- Sugar-free beverage
SNACK
- Glucerna nutritional drink (available flavors are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry & wildberry)
