Meal planning

• Work carefully with a dietitian to decide on a meal plan tailored to the specific needs of the patient. Each person requires a different amount of nutrients to maintain health, and diabetics' eating regimes should (See reference 2) Use the American Dietetic Association nutrition professional search to locate a qualified dietitian. (See resource 1)
  
  

Choose healthy foods

• Lean turkey breast is better than full fat beef
  
  Opt for whole grain starches and vegetables rather than simple sugars and refined starches. Whole wheat bread digests slower than white bread and raise blood sugar levels at a slower pace. Vegetables have fiber, which acts in the same way. Fruits should be controlled in their amounts because they contain simple sugars, which affect blood sugar. Avoid fatty dairy and meats, instead choosing to prepare low fat dairy, lean meat and beans. (See reference 2)
  
  

Choose healthy cooking methods

• Stir frying uses less fat than deep frying
  
  As with food choices, low-fat cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, steaming, microwaving and stir frying should be used over deep frying or pan frying with added oil. Nonstick pans allow the cook to use less oil in food preparation. Most recipes can allow for a reduction of the added oil or butter by up to half before the taste becomes affected. (See reference 3)