Meal planning is essential to a successful diabetic diet.
It will prevent times when you do not have anything ready for dinner and grab something that you probably should not be eating.
The planning of meals should begin before you head to the grocery store in the form of a list and meals you are going to make for those ingredients.
Once a week you should sit down and plan what meals you are going to eat and make for the next week.
When you are making your meal plan, don’t forget to include all meals and snacks too.
If you are hungry and know what your next meal is going to be you are going to be better prepared.
In the beginning, meal planning will take some time.
Depending on what diet you are following (the Exchange Diet, Counting Carbohydrates, or the TLC Diet) you are going to have to get used to the foods you can have, the portion sizes and how they can be cooked.
Plan each day out in its entirety.
Make it realistic.
Do not plan to make lasagna on a night that you know you will not be home until late.
Save the meals with more preparation for when you have time and make extra so you can have left-overs when time is tight.
When you are in the grocery store, do not go hungry.
If you do, there is more chance that you will buy food that you do not need.
Another trick while you are pushing around the cart is to only get what is on your list.
If you are in line paying for your food and notice something that snuck its way in, put it back.
This will not only make sure you stick to your meal plan but can save you money too.
