What Is the Best Menu for People With Type 2 Diabetes?

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The best menu for people with Type 2 diabetes includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, states Mayo Clinic.Non-fat dairy products, beans and lean meats, such as poultry and fish, are also ideal, notes the American Diabetes Association. People with Type 2 diabetes need not follow a restrictive diet, but they must follow a healthy-eating plan that includes foods with plenty of nutrients and minimal amounts of fats and calories. Portion sizes and carbohydrate consumption also require monitoring.

Although it may take some planning, people with Type 2 diabetes are generally able to eat the same foods that other people enjoy while still managing healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, states the American Diabetes Association. An appropriate menu for someone with Type 2 diabetes varies depending on the person’s size and physical activity level, notes Mayo Clinic. For breakfast, a person who requires between 1,200 and 1,600 calories daily may eat whole-wheat waffles or pancakes, 3/4 of a cup of berries or one piece of fruit and 6 ounces of non-fat vanilla yogurt.

An appropriate lunch option for someone with the same requirements is a cheese and vegetable pita and a medium sized apple with 2 tablespoons of almond butter, notes Mayo Clinic. For dinner, beef stroganoff and a side salad consisting of 1 1/2 cups of spinach, 1/2 cup of carrots, 1/2 of a tomato and 1/4 cup of chopped bell pepper is ideal. The salad dressing can include 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar.

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