7-Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan (PDF & Menu)

Foods to Eat for Diabetics

Generally, these are the sorts of foods you should prioritise:

• Healthy carbohydrates – these are complex carbohydrates and take longer to break down into glucose e.g whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, low-fat dairy
• Fiber-rich foods – fiber fill you up and helps control blood sugar levels (e.g fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes)
• Heart-healthy fish – contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids (e.g salmon, tuna, sardines)
• ‘Good fats’ – foods containing polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats (e.g avocados, nuts)

There are a number of foods that should you focus on including within your diet. These include:

Vegetables

Vegetables are low in calories and fat and high in fiber and vitamins.

This means they fill you up without actually consuming many calories. Losing weight is one of the best things you can do to help manage diabetes.

Try and consume a wide variety of colors, as these tend to have different nutritional profiles.

Fresh, unprocessed vegetables are the best. Canned vegetables usually contain a lot of salt or sodium. Cooking with lots of butter or sauces can also add lots of calories too, so take note of any extras you add with them.

Fruit

Various fruits are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber and low in fat and sodium. They also contain more carbohydrates than vegetables. As carbs get broken down into glucose, you might wonder if you should limit your fruit intake.

However, nearly all fruits have a low glycemic index (GI), meaning they blood sugar levels rise less than those with higher GI.

Evidence shows that the quality of the carbohydrates is more important to general health than the amount we eat. One study found higher fruit intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes (7).

Fresh or frozen fruit is best. Canned fruit and fruit juices contain a lot of sugar which can spike blood glucose levels.

Whole grains

Similar to fruits, you may be thinking about limiting whole grains because they contain carbs.

However, most whole grains have a low GI rating.

Eating whole grains has also been linked with several health benefits, including a reduced risk of inflammation and heart disease (8, 9, 10, 11), reduced body fat and BMI index (12) as well as a lowered risk of diabetes (13).

Good examples of whole grains to include in the diet are:

• brown rice
• whole-grain bread
• whole-grain pasta
• buckwheat
• quinoa
• bulgur

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish is an important component of any diet as it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These can only be found in food and are most abundant in fatty fish. These fats help keep the body functioning properly and promote good heart and brain health.

Fatty fish is also high in healthy unsaturated fats. One study found people eating lots of these types of fats can improve blood sugar level control and blood lipid profile in diabetic people (14).

Not all types of fish contain these omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish include:

• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Sardines
• Tuna
• Herring
• Trout

Beans and Legumes

Beans and legumes are a great plant-based protein to include in your diet. They are extremely filling, low GI and high fiber.

One study found that people who were given pasta and tomato sauce containing lentils ate significantly less during the meal and had lower blood sugar than those who ate the same meal without lentils (15).

Another study found people who eat the most legumes have also been shown to have the lowest rates of type 2 diabetes (16).

Good examples of beans and legumes include:

• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Kidney beans
• Black beans
• Peas

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds contain high amounts of plant protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Although they are calorie-dense, most studies suggest they can actually help you lose weight (17, 18)

One study found women who ate peanut butter 5x per week or more were at a 21% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (19). Another study found that eating a daily serving of nuts was linked to a 28% lower risk of both fatal and nonfatal heart disease (20).

Great nut and seed additions to your diet include:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Chia seeds
• Flax seeds

Foods to Limit

These are foods you should generally avoid when trying to manage type 1 or type 2 diabetes or if you’re prediabetic.

By all means, treat yourself occasionally – but don’t make a habit of eating these foods regularly:

• Junk foods: fast food and potato chips
• Refined carbohydrates: white bread, pasta, crackers, flour tortillas, biscuits
• Fried foods: french fries, donuts, fried meats
• Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, tea with added sugar, sports drinks
• Processed meats: bacon, canned meat, salami, sausages
• Trans fats: vegetable oil and margarine

Choosing a Diabetic Diet Plan

We’re big fans of the Mediterranean diet. It’s a diet that has been clinically proven to help with diabetes (21, 22, 23, 24, 25).

One study found that there was an 83% lower risk of diabetes among those who closely adhered to a Mediterranean diet (26).

The Mediterranean diet is a plan that encompasses all the points made above and is highly regarded within the scientific community as a heart-healthy diet to follow.

It was ranked the number 1 diet according to the U.S. News & World Report.

In particular, it comes out on top when it comes to its healthiness and how easy it is to follow. This makes it a perfect diet to follow if you want to reduce inflammation long-term and find a sustainable way of eating.

Various credible organisations recommend following a Mediterranean diet to help with diabetes, including:

• Harvard Medical School
• Mayo Clinic
• American Heart Association
• Arthritis Foundation

Diabetes Diet Meal Plan

Diabetes Diet Sample Menu

In the meal plan are recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Banana Yogurt Pots	Cannellini Bean Salad	Quick Moussaka
Tuesday	Tomato and Watermelon Salad	Edgy Veggie Wraps	Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs
Wednesday	Blueberry Oats Bowl	Carrot, Orange and Avocado Salad	Salmon with Potatoes and Corn Salad
Thursday	Banana Yogurt Pots	Mixed Bean Salad	Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup
Friday	Tomato and Watermelon Salad	Panzanella Salad	Med Chicken, Quinoa and Greek Salad
Saturday	Blueberry Oats Bowl	Quinoa and Stir Fried Veg	Grilled Vegetables with Bean Mash
Sunday	Banana Yogurt Pots	Moroccan Chickpea Soup	Spicy Mediterranean Beet Salad

Snacks are recommended between meal times. Some good snacks include:

• A handful of nuts or seeds
• A piece of fruit
• Carrots or baby carrots
• Berries or grapes

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Day 1: Monday

Breakfast: Banana Yogurt Pots

Nutrition

• Calories – 236
• Protein – 14g
• Carbs – 32g
• Fat – 7g

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 225g /⅞ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 bananas, sliced into chunks
• 15g / 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped

Instructions

1. Place some of the yogurt into the bottom of a glass. Add a layer of banana, then yogurt and repeat. Once the glass is full, scatter with the nuts.

Lunch: Cannellini Bean Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 302
• Protein – 20g
• Carbs – 54g
• Fat – 0g

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 600g / 3 cups cannellini beans
• 70g / ⅜ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ tbsp red wine vinegar
• small bunch basil, torn

Instructions

1. Rinse and drain the beans and mix with the tomatoes, onion and vinegar. Season, then add basil just before serving.

Dinner: Moussaka

Nutrition

• Calories – 577
• Protein – 27g
• Carbs – 46g
• Fat – 27g

Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 250g / 9 oz lean beef mince
• 200g can / 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 200g can / 1 cup chickpeas
• 100g pack / ⅔ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Mint (fresh preferable)
• Brown bread, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add the mince and fry for 3-4 minutes until browned.
2. Tip the tomatoes into the pan and stir in the tomato purée and cinnamon, then season. Leave the mince to simmer for 20 minutes. Add the chickpeas halfway through.
3.  Sprinkle the feta and mint over the mince. Serve with toasted bread.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Day 2: Tuesday

Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 177
• Protein – 5g
• Carbs – 13g
• Fat – 13g

Prep time + cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ¼ tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp chopped mint
• 120g / ⅝ cup tomatoes, chopped
• ½ watermelon, cut into chunks
• 50g / ⅔ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. For the dressing, Mix the oil, vinegar, chilli flakes and mint and then season.
2. Put the tomatoes and watermelon into a bowl. Pour over the dressing, add the feta, then serve.

Lunch: Edgy Veggie Wraps

Nutrition

• Calories – 310
• Protein – 11g
• Carbs – 39g
• Fat – 11g

Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 100g / ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 6 Kalamata olives
• 2 large wholemeal tortilla wraps
• 50g / ¼ cup feta cheese
• 2 tbsp hummus

Instructions

1. Chop the tomatoes, cut the cucumber into sticks, split the olives and remove the stones.
2. Heat the tortillas.
3. Spread the houmous over the wrap. Put the vegetable mix in the middle and roll up.

Dinner: Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs

Nutrition

• Calories – 417
• Protein – 19g
• Carbs – 45g
• Fat – 17g

Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 red onions, chopped
• 1 red chilli, deseeded & chopped
• 1 garlic clove, sliced
• small bunch coriander, stalks and leaves chopped separately
• 800g can / 4 cups cherry tomatoes
• 4 eggs
• brown bread, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan with a lid, then cook the onions, chilli, garlic and coriander stalks for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the tomatoes, then simmer for 8-10 minutes.
2. Using the back of a large spoon, make 4 dips in the sauce, then crack an egg into each one. Put a lid on the pan, then cook over a low heat for 6-8 mins, until the eggs are done to your liking. Scatter with the coriander leaves and serve with bread.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Day 3: Wednesday

Breakfast: Blueberry Oats Bowl

Nutrition

• Calories – 235
• Protein – 13g
• Carbs – 38g
• Fat – 4g

Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 60g / ⅔ cup porridge oats
• 160g / ⅗ cup Greek yogurt
• 175g / ¾ blueberries
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Put the oats in a pan with 400ml of water. Heat and stir for about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add a third of the yogurt.
2. Tip the blueberries into a pan with the honey and 1 tbsp of water. Gently poach until the blueberries are tender.
3. Spoon the porridge into bowls and add the remaining yogurt and blueberries.

Lunch: Carrot, Orange and Avocado Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 177
• Protein – 5g
• Carbs – 13g
• Fat – 13g

Prep time + cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 orange, plus zest and juice of 1
• 2 carrots, halved lengthways and sliced with a peeler
• 35g / 1 ½ cups rocket / arugula
• 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Cut the segments from 1 of the oranges and put in a bowl with the carrots, rocket/arugula and avocado. Whisk together the orange juice, zest and oil. Toss through the salad, and season.

Dinner: Salmon with Potatoes and Corn Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 479
• Protein – 43g
• Carbs – 27g
• Fat – 21g

Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 200g / 1 ⅓ cups baby new potatoes
• 1 sweetcorn cob
• 2 skinless salmon fillets
• 60g / ⅓ cup tomatoes
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• Bunch of spring onions/scallions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp capers, finely chopped
• handful basil leaves

Instructions

1. Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, adding corn for final 5 minutes. Drain & cool.
2. For the dressing, mix the vinegar, oil, shallot, capers, basil & seasoning.
3. Heat grill to high. Rub some dressing on salmon & cook, skinned side down, for 7-8 minutes. Slice tomatoes & place on a plate. Slice the potatoes, cut the corn from the cob & add to plate. Add the salmon & drizzle over the remaining dressing.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Day 4: Thursday

Breakfast: Banana Yogurt Pots

Lunch: Mixed Bean Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 240
• Protein – 11g
• Carbs – 22g
• Fat – 12g

Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 145g / ⅘ cup jar artichoke heart in oil
• ½ tbsp sundried tomato paste
• ½ tsp red wine vinegar
• 200g can / 1 cup cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 150g / ¾ cup tomatoes, quartered
• handful Kalamata black olives
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
• 100g / ⅔ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. Drain the jar of artichokes, reserving 1-2 tbsp of oil. Add the oil, sun-dried tomato paste and vinegar and stir until smooth. Season to taste.
2. Chop the artichokes and tip into a bowl. Add the cannellini beans, tomatoes, olives, spring onions and half of the feta cheese. Stir in the artichoke oil mixture and tip into a serving bowl. Crumble over the remaining feta cheese, then serve.

Dinner: Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup

Nutrition

• Calories – 238
• Protein – 11g
• Carbs – 34g
• Fat – 7g

Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• pinch chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 300g /2 cups carrots, washed and coarsely grated
• 70g / ⅓ cup split red lentils
• 500ml / 2 ¼ cups hot vegetable stock
• 60ml / ¼ cup milk
• Greek yogurt, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat a large saucepan and dry fry the cumin seeds and chilli flakes for 1 minute. Scoop out about half of the seeds with a spoon and set aside. Add the oil, carrot, lentils, stock and milk to the pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils have swollen and softened.
2. Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor until smooth. Season to taste and finish with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkling of the reserved toasted spices.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Day 5: Friday

Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad

Lunch: Panzanella Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 452
• Protein – 6g
• Carbs – 37g
• Fat – 25g

Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 400g / 2 cups tomatoes
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
• 1 ripe avocado, stoned, peeled and chopped
• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
• 2 slices of brown bread
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• small handful basil leaves

Instructions

1. Chop the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Season well and add the garlic, capers, avocado and onion. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, tear the bread into chunks and place in a bowl. Drizzle over half of the olive oil and half of the vinegar. When ready to serve, scatter tomatoes and basil leaves and drizzle with remaining oil and vinegar. Stir before serving.

Dinner: Med Chicken, Quinoa and Greek Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 473
• Protein – 36g
• Carbs – 57g
• Fat – 25g

Prep time + cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 100g / ⅗ cup quinoa
• ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 150g / ¾ cup tomatoes, roughly chopped
• handful pitted black kalamata olives
• ½ red onion, finely sliced
• 50g / ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• small bunch mint leaves, chopped
• juice and zest ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Cook the quinoa following the pack instructions, then rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly.
2. Meanwhile, toss the chicken fillets in the olive oil with some seasoning, chilli and garlic. Lay in a hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside
3. Next, tip the tomatoes, olives, onion, feta and mint into a bowl. Toss in the cooked quinoa. Stir through the remaining olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and season well. Serve with the chicken on top.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Day 6: Saturday

Breakfast: Blueberry Oats Bowl

Lunch: Quinoa and Stir Fried Veg

Nutrition

• Calories – 473
• Protein – 11g
• Carbs – 56g
• Fat – 25g

Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 100g / ⅗ cup quinoa
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, cut into thin sticks
• 150g / 1 ⅔ leek, sliced
• 1 broccoli head, cut into small florets
• 50g / ¼ cup tomatoes
• 100ml / ¼ cup vegetable stock
• 1 tsp tomato purée
• juice ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Cook the quinoa according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp of the oil in a pan, then add the garlic and quickly fry for 1 minute. Throw in the carrots, leeks and broccoli, then stir-fry for 2 minutes until everything is glistening.
2. Add the tomatoes, mix together the stock and tomato purée, then add to the pan. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the quinoa and toss in the remaining oil and lemon juice. Divide between warm plates and spoon the vegetables on top.

Dinner: Grilled Vegetables with Bean Mash

Nutrition

• Calories – 314
• Protein – 19g
• Carbs – 33g
• Fat – 16g

Prep time + cook time: 40 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 pepper, deseeded & quartered
• 1 aubergine, sliced lengthways
• 2 courgettes, sliced lengthways
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• For the mash
• 400g / 2 cups haricot beans, rinsed
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 100ml / ½ cup vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander

Instructions

1. Heat the grill. Arrange the vegetables over a grill pan &brush lightly with oil. Grill until lightly browned, turn them over, brush again with oil, then grill until tender.
2. Meanwhile, put the beans in a pan with garlic and stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Mash roughly with a potato masher. Divide the vegetables and mash between 2 plates, drizzle over oil and sprinkle with black pepper and coriander.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Day 7: Sunday

Breakfast: Banana Yogurt Pots

Lunch: Moroccan Chickpea Soup

Nutrition

• Calories – 408
• Protein – 15g
• Carbs – 63g
• Fat – 11g

Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 1 celery sticks, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 300ml / 1 ¼ cups hot vegetable stock
• 200g can / 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 200g can / 1 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 50g / ¼ cup frozen broad beans
• zest and juice ½ lemon
• coriander & bread to serve

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan, then fry the onion and celery for 10 minutes until softened. Add the cumin and fry for another minute.
2. Turn up the heat, then add the stock, tomatoes, chickpeas and black pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes. Add broad beans and lemon juice and cook for a further 2 minutes. Top with lemon zest and coriander.

Dinner: Spicy Mediterranean Beet Salad

Nutrition

• Calories – 548
• Protein – 23g
• Carbs – 58g
• Fat – 20g

Prep time + cook time: 40 minutes

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 8 raw baby beetroots, or 4 medium, scrubbed
• ½ tbsp sumac
• ½ tbsp ground cumin
• 400g can / 2 cups chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• ½ tsp lemon juice
• 200g / ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp harissa paste
• 1 tsp crushed red chilli flakes
• mint leaves, chopped, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Halve or quarter beetroots depending on size. Mix spices together. On a large baking tray, mix chickpeas and beetroot with the oil. Season with salt & sprinkle over the spices. Mix again. Roast for 30 minutes.
2. While the vegetables are cooking, mix the lemon zest and juice with the yogurt. Swirl the harissa through and spread into a bowl. Top with the beetroot & chickpeas, and sprinkle with the chilli flakes & mint.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Diabetes Diet Shopping List

This shopping list corresponds to the 7 day plan, serving 2 people. No snacks are included.

View 7 Day Diabetes Diet Meal Plan PDF

Life after the meal plan

Find more recipes on our site

Your journey doesn’t end after 7 days of diabetic Mediterranean recipes. It’s about finding recipes that can become staples in your household and creating eating habits that actually last.

We’ve got plenty of recipes online already. Just use the search function on our home page if you’re looking for a specific ingredient or check out our recipe page.

Disclosure

We would like to take a moment to note that this post is for information purposes only. It does not claim to provide medical advice or to be able to treat any medical condition. If you have any concerns regarding your health please contact your medical practitioner before making changes.