Healthy eating for type 1 diabetes
The constant carbohydrate meal plan
The constant carbohydrate meal plan will help keep your blood sugar and weight healthy.
- A constant carbohydrate meal plan is made just for you by a registered dietitian (RD).
- The amount depends on gender, age, and activity level.
- Count all the carbohydrates you eat each day.
- There are 3 meals and 1 snack each day.
- You eat the same amount of carbohydrates at each meal every day.
- It has all the foods your body needs to be healthy.
- There are every day foods and sometimes foods.
- You should not eat large amounts between meals or snacks because it may raise your blood sugar and cause weight gain.
- Always eat meals and snacks to help your blood sugars stay in a healthy range and to help you feel full.
Sample meal plan
You will receive a meal plan from an RD in this format:
- Breakfast: _____ grams of carbohydrate
- Morning snack: _____ grams of carbohydrate
- Lunch: _____ grams of carbohydrate
- Afternoon snack: _____ grams of carbohydrate
- Dinner: _____ grams of carbohydrate
- Bedtime snack: _____ grams of carbohydrate
Estimated grams of carbohydrate: _____ per day or _____ per meal
Limit morning, afternoon, and bedtime snacks to _____ grams of carbohydrate.
Tools to help with carbohydrate counting
Here are a few tools that can help with carbohydrate counting.
- Nutrition labels
- Measuring cups, measuring spoons, and digital food scales
- Restaurant nutrition information
- Smart phone apps