My favorite diabetic breakfast is oatmeal, mainly because it's easy to prepare. The serving size for it is 1/2 cup that comprises 1 carb. I usually use 1 cup that equals 2 carbs. I know I can have up to 4 carbs per meal so the remaining 1 or 2 carbs will come from raisins, craisins or the like (craisins are dried cranberries; they are very good). The serving size for the raisins is 1/4 cup that equals 1 carb.
I dislike standing over the pot of oatmeal and stir it constantly so had to find the way around it. Here's how this works.
Once I wake up, my first stop is the kitchen where I set up my oatmeal to cook. I measure one part of oatmeal per 1.5 - 2 parts of water. All that goes into my non-stick pot that has a capacity just enough to fit oatmeal for one; set it on the lowest setting available and forget it. It will take its own sweet time but not at the expense of my time. Meanwhile I will check my blood sugar, take a shower, check my e-mail etc. Once in a while I stop by my oatmeal to see how it's doing, and keep on going. On the average, it takes about half an hour to get ready. It's my slow cooker version of the morning oatmeal. Love it.
Carbs count:
2 carbs per 1 cup of oatmeal
1 - 2 carbs per your raisins.
Total 3 - 4 carbs
SNACK 1
Carbs count allowance per snack is 1 - 2. With that in mind, I measure either one of the following:
- about 12 average-sized grapes = 1 carb
- 1/4 cup of raisins = 1 carb
- 1/4 cup of cottage cheese = 1 carb
- 8 oz of milk = 1 carb
- one small apple
- 1/2 banana = 1 carb
- 1/2 cup blueberries = 1 carb
And then mix any two of these to make 2 carbs. The numbers are approximate as for example, 1/2 cup blueberries will actually make slightly less than 1 carb. 1 carb = 15 g while 1/2 cup of blueberries = about 11 g. So I'll splurge for a little more than 1/2 cup. With these measurements in mind, measuring cups are a godsend.
LUNCH
This is a meal so the carbs allowance is 3-4. This will do for a small sandwich.
I use a slice of a whole-grain bread with a generous portion of peanut butter on it. Serving size for the bread is 1 slice which I make sure to check on the Nutrition Facts panel when I buy it. Some breads list the serving size as 2 slices which I know to avoid.
Serving size for the peanut butter is, are you ready? It's 2 tablespoons. I don't think I'd ever used up the 2 tablespoons of it, as I will also have 8 fl oz of milk with my peanut butter sandwich.
1 slice of bread + peanut butter + 8 fl oz of milk = 3 carbs.
Peanut butter can be substituted with cold cuts and cheese that don't have much carbs in them at all. I use cream cheese for the spread.
SNACK 2
Same as Snack 1.
DINNER
(if you prefer to call it supper, just go for it).
Vegetable soup that is loaded with fiber. Fiber is good to reduce your blood sugar; in my diabetic education class, I was told that fiber somehow splits the blood sugar thus reducing it. Don't ask me to explain any further as this is all I know. The amount of soup is about the same as oatmeal which is roughly a cup and a half.
My version of chicken mcnuggets is not recommended for just anyone because it involves frying them in a skillet. I am however just fine with it. I usually use either chicken breast or thighs or something similar that I slice up, pound, dip in bread crumbs and cook in oil on the low-to-medium setting. I do the same with zucchini that is sliced up about 1/2 inch thick. My cooking attitude here is similar to the oatmeal cooking in terms that I leave the skillet alone but check on it more often than with the oatmeal. Still, I do not stand over the thing and watch it cooking. This is absolutely against my nature.
A cup of tea will wrap it up. I have an idea or two how to steep tea using the tools I have at home anyway. Will post about it later.
BEDTIME SNACK
This deserves its own section and is allowed up to 2 carbs. I usually have 2 squares of graham crackers with about 8 fl oz of milk. Back in the day when I worked on a hospital floor, we always passed graham crackers and milk to our diabetic patients which is how I know this now. I just love cold milk.
MISCELLANEOUS
I was told I can have one candy. So I have my favorite Tootsie Roll once a day but not every day. Ditto for a quarter cup of ice cream or a banana bread or something similar. No, I didn't bake it. I am not a baker and have never been which works just fine for me now that I have diabetes.
I am using a regular ice cream and such. I am staying away from anything that proclaims to be sugar-free. Want to know more about sugar free products? Please read my another post titled Hi-five to my New Diabetic Diet
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