Restaurant Eating Strategies for Diabetics: Balancing Enjoyment and Blood Glucose Control

by

Table of Contents

Dining out at restaurants is one of life’s great pleasures, but for people living with diabetes, it can present unique challenges when it comes to maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. The good news is that with proper planning, smart menu choices, and a few strategic approaches, you can absolutely enjoy restaurant meals while keeping your blood sugar well-controlled. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about eating out successfully with diabetes.

Understanding the Restaurant Challenge for Diabetics

Restaurants and fast-food chains tend to serve up large portions packed with fat, sugar and simple carbs. These days, portions at restaurants are quite a bit larger than they were several years ago. One entrée can equal 3 or 4 servings! This reality makes restaurant dining particularly challenging for people managing diabetes, but understanding these challenges is the first step toward overcoming them.

Carbohydrates in the food you eat raise your blood sugar levels. How fast carbs raise your blood sugar depends on what the food is and what you eat with it. Restaurant meals often contain hidden sugars, excessive sodium, and preparation methods that can significantly impact blood glucose control. However, armed with the right knowledge and strategies, you can navigate any menu successfully.

The Importance of Planning Ahead

One of the most effective strategies for successful restaurant dining with diabetes is advance planning. Taking time to prepare before you even leave home can make a tremendous difference in your ability to make healthy choices.

Research Menus Online

Before going out to eat, be sure you have a general idea of what types of foods are available at the restaurant. Many places have menus online, and some have listed nutrition facts. Keeping in mind how many carbohydrates you can eat, look at the menu and pick out items that match your limits. This advance research removes the pressure of making quick decisions when you’re hungry and surrounded by tempting options.

Most fast-food restaurants have information about the carbohydrates, calories, sodium, and fat in their food. Take advantage of this transparency by reviewing nutritional information before you go. Many chain restaurants now provide detailed nutritional data on their websites, making it easier than ever to plan your meal in advance.

Choose Your Restaurant Wisely

A quick look at an online menu can help you determine if a restaurant is diabetes-friendly. Review the types of foods available, portion sizes, and substitution options. Look for establishments that offer grilled, baked, or steamed options rather than primarily fried foods. Restaurants that are willing to accommodate special requests and modifications are ideal for people managing diabetes.

When searching for a diabetes-friendly restaurant, make sure there are menu choices with lean proteins, whole grains, and non-starchy vegetables. Some cuisines are naturally more accommodating to diabetes management than others. Indian and Thai cuisine is usually extremely friendly towards people with diabetes. Bistros and Mexican restaurants also often have healthy, diabetes-friendly meal options too.

Time Your Meal Appropriately

To keep blood sugar steady, it is important to eat about the same time daily (critical if you take insulin or medicine for diabetes). Try to make a reservation at your usual mealtime. If you know you’ll have a late lunch or dinner, snack on a piece of fruit or bread, then skip that serving during your meal, so you don’t double up.

If you take medication to manage your diabetes, you likely will need to eat your meals around the same time every day. This keeps your blood sugar within a healthy range. To maintain even blood sugar levels, it’s recommended to eat smaller meals throughout the day with little to no artificial ingredients, such as added sugar.

Don’t Arrive Overly Hungry

Try not to arrive at the restaurant overly hungry. It’s harder to make healthy food choices when you get too hungry. Avoid arriving at the restaurant overly hungry. Eating regularly throughout the day will make it easier to choose more balanced menu items and manage your portion sizes when it comes time to eat out. Consider having a small, healthy snack before leaving home if your reservation is later than your usual mealtime.

Call Ahead for Special Accommodations

Some chefs will prepare a special meal for you – so try calling ahead to ask questions and make requests ahead of time. Don’t hesitate to inquire about ingredient substitutions, preparation methods, or portion sizes. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate dietary needs when given advance notice, and this proactive approach can ensure you have suitable options available when you arrive.

Making Smart Menu Choices

Once you’re at the restaurant, knowing what to look for on the menu and how to customize your order can make all the difference in maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.

Focus on Lean Proteins

Choose meals that include lean proteins, whole grains, and non-starchy vegetables when possible. Protein is essential for people with diabetes because it helps slow the absorption of carbohydrates and promotes satiety without significantly raising blood sugar levels.

Choose leaner deli meats such as turkey or roast beef rather than salami or bologna. When ordering poultry, fish, or meat, opt for grilled, baked, broiled, or roasted preparations rather than fried or breaded options. Eat heart-healthy fish at least twice a week. Fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Prioritize Non-Starchy Vegetables

Include more nonstarchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and green beans. Vegetables should form the foundation of your restaurant meal. A good rule of thumb: Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, then split the rest between a lean protein and starch, such as a whole grain.

To keep your blood sugar steady, ask to substitute any high-carbohydrate sides — French fries, bread or potatoes — with an extra serving of vegetables. This will save you a huge number of carbohydrates and calories and keep your blood glucose from spiking. Don’t be shy about requesting extra vegetables or asking for vegetable substitutions for starchy sides.

Choose Whole Grains When Available

Ask for brown rice and whole-grain pasta instead of white rice and pasta. Pick whole-grain bread and tortillas. Whole grains contain more fiber than refined grains, which helps slow the absorption of glucose into your bloodstream and prevents rapid blood sugar spikes.

Fiber moderates how your body digests food and helps control blood sugar levels. When carbohydrates are part of your meal, choosing whole grain options provides additional nutritional benefits and better blood sugar control compared to refined alternatives.

Understand Cooking Methods

Before you order, find out how the food is prepared. Foods that are broiled, poached, grilled, baked, or steamed tend to be lower in fat than foods that are fried. If the restaurant does not list nutrition facts, scan the menu for lower-calorie preparation methods, such as steamed, grilled or broiled.

Look for keywords on the menu, like “light,” “steamed,” “low-carb,” and “low-fat.” Conversely, be cautious of menu descriptions that include terms like “crispy,” “battered,” “breaded,” “creamy,” or “au gratin,” as these typically indicate higher fat and calorie content that can affect blood sugar control.

Watch Out for Hidden Sugars

It’s best to steer clear of dishes described as BBQ, glazed, sticky, honey, and teriyaki. These preparations often contain significant amounts of added sugars that can cause rapid blood glucose spikes. For example, a quarter-cup of barbecue sauce can pack in 7 teaspoons of sugar.

Limit foods that are breaded or that come with cream sauce or gravy. These sauces and coatings often contain hidden carbohydrates and sugars. When ordering, ask about sauce ingredients and request them on the side so you can control the amount you consume.

Request Modifications Without Hesitation

Restaurants often are glad to accommodate special requests, so feel free to swap out items on the menu. Common modifications that can make restaurant meals more diabetes-friendly include:

  • Asking for sauces and dressings on the side
  • Requesting grilled instead of fried preparations
  • Substituting vegetables for starchy sides
  • Ordering bunless burgers or lettuce wraps
  • Requesting whole grain bread instead of white
  • Asking for no added butter or oil

Ask to have butter, sour cream, sauces, and salad dressing served on the side. This will allow you to control how much you use. This simple request puts you in control of your meal’s fat and calorie content.

Mastering Portion Control

Portion control is perhaps one of the most critical aspects of dining out successfully with diabetes. Restaurant portions have grown significantly over the years, making it essential to have strategies for managing how much you eat.

The Reality of Restaurant Portions

Studies show that people tend to eat more when they’re served more food. Getting portions under control is really important for managing weight and blood sugar. Understanding that restaurant portions are often two to four times larger than appropriate serving sizes is crucial for making informed decisions.

Strategies for Controlling Portions

If you’re eating out, ask for half of your meal to be wrapped up to go so you can enjoy it later. Before your meal even begins, consider boxing up half right when it arrives to take home. You can also ask you server to box it before bringing it to the table, which is convenient and can save some temptation. This proactive approach prevents overeating and provides you with another meal for later.

Ask for a half-size portion of the meal. Or ask if the restaurant offers lunch-sized portions, which tend to be smaller. Many restaurants are willing to serve smaller portions or lunch-sized meals even during dinner hours. Don’t hesitate to ask about these options.

You can also consider sharing an entrée with a friend. Considering portion sizes at many restaurants, these are great ways to cut calories and prevent overindulging. Sharing allows you to enjoy the restaurant experience while consuming an appropriate amount of food.

Avoid All-You-Can-Eat Options

Avoid all-you-can-eat menu options and buffet-style restaurants. Unlimited refills of soup or pasta may sound like a good deal, but they can make it easier to overeat. With their large spread of dishes, all-you-can-eat buffets can be trouble. If possible, order off the menu instead. If you can’t avoid the buffet, choose only a few dishes instead of small scoops of several different things.

Use Visual Cues for Portion Estimation

Learn to estimate the serving sizes of foods that have carbohydrate. If you measure food at home, it will be easier to estimate the amount in a serving of restaurant food. Practicing portion estimation at home with measuring cups and a food scale will help you better gauge appropriate portions when dining out.

Beverage Choices Matter

What you drink with your meal can have just as significant an impact on your blood sugar as what you eat. Making smart beverage choices is essential for maintaining glucose control.

Avoid Sugary Beverages

Drink water instead of sugar-sweetened soft drinks. That’s because sugary beverages (juice and soda) cause your blood sugar to spike even faster than most foods. Regular sodas, sweetened iced teas, lemonade, and fruit juices can contain enormous amounts of sugar and carbohydrates that will rapidly elevate blood glucose levels.

Drinking a big glass of water right away when you sit at the table has been shown to help you eat less. Then avoid sugary drinks during and after dining. Sweetened beverages will add calories and carbs, so order sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Best Beverage Options

If you don’t like plain water, try other sugar-free or low-calorie beverages, such as fruit-flavored sparkling water or unsweetened iced tea. Other excellent choices include:

  • Plain water with lemon or lime
  • Sparkling water or club soda
  • Unsweetened iced tea or hot tea
  • Black coffee
  • Diet sodas (in moderation)

Alcoholic Beverages: Proceed with Caution

Remember that alcoholic drinks can have a lot of calories. A large cocktail, such as a margarita, can have as many calories as your main course. A large cocktail, such as a margarita, can have as many calories as your main course. However, if your doctor approves, a glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail on occasion may be acceptable.

If you want to drink alcohol, try to limit the quantity and avoid any sweet mixers — again, juice and soda. Always consult with your healthcare provider about alcohol consumption, as it can interact with diabetes medications and affect blood sugar levels in complex ways.

The pre-meal period at restaurants presents unique challenges for people with diabetes, as bread baskets and appetizers arrive when hunger is often at its peak.

Managing the Bread Basket

Bread or chips regularly served before meals are high in carbohydrates — and easy to eat mindlessly. It can be difficult to maintain normal glucose levels if you start your meal with a large dose of carbs. To help yourself out, ask the server to take the breadbasket away — or not bring it at all.

If it’s difficult to eat just a few chips or a small piece of bread, ask the server to remove it from the table. “That’s when we’re at our hungriest, when we first sit down, and it can be really tempting.” This simple action removes temptation and helps you save your carbohydrate budget for your main meal.

Smart Appetizer Choices

A broth-based soup with loads of vegetables or a dinner salad is a great way to fill up on fiber with few calories or carbohydrates. Fiber is great if you have diabetes because it can help stabilize blood sugar. Starting your meal with a vegetable-based soup or salad can help you feel satisfied while consuming minimal carbohydrates.

When choosing appetizers, consider options like:

  • Garden salads with dressing on the side
  • Vegetable-based soups (avoid cream-based varieties)
  • Shrimp cocktail
  • Raw vegetables with hummus
  • Grilled vegetables

Cuisine-Specific Strategies

Different types of restaurants present unique opportunities and challenges for people managing diabetes. Understanding how to navigate various cuisines can expand your dining options while maintaining blood sugar control.

Fast Food Restaurants

The average fast-food meal can deliver 1,000 calories or more. But you can find diabetes-friendly options at the drive-thru. First, check the menu’s nutritional information: Grilled chicken sandwiches are often low-fat options. Pair it with a side salad or apple slices instead of fries.

At fast-food restaurants, ask if you can have a salad or fruit instead of french fries. Many fast-food chains now offer healthier alternatives, including salads, grilled options, and fruit sides. Take advantage of online nutritional information to make informed choices before you order.

Asian Cuisine

Asian restaurants can be excellent choices for people with diabetes when you know what to order. Focus on stir-fried vegetables with lean protein, steamed dishes, and broth-based soups. Request brown rice instead of white rice, and ask for sauces on the side to control sugar and sodium intake. Be cautious of sweet and sour dishes, fried rice, and items with heavy, sugary sauces.

Italian Restaurants

Italian dining doesn’t have to mean pasta overload. Many Italian restaurants offer grilled fish or chicken, vegetable sides, and salads. If you do choose pasta, request a half portion or lunch-sized serving, and opt for tomato-based sauces rather than cream-based options. Consider ordering a protein-based entrée with vegetable sides instead of pasta as your main course.

Mexican Restaurants

Mexican cuisine offers many diabetes-friendly options when you make smart choices. Focus on fajitas with grilled vegetables and lean protein, skip the tortillas or limit yourself to one, and load up on lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa. Be mindful of rice and beans portions, and avoid fried items like chimichangas and taco shells. Request that chips not be brought to the table to avoid mindless snacking.

Steakhouses

Steakhouses can be excellent for diabetes management when you focus on lean cuts of meat, avoid heavy sauces, and choose vegetable sides. Order your steak grilled without butter, select a reasonable portion size (6 ounces or less), and fill the rest of your plate with non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or a side salad.

Understanding Carbohydrate Counting at Restaurants

Keeping track of and limiting how many carbs you eat at each meal can help manage your blood sugar levels. Work with your doctor or a registered dietitian to find out how many carbs you should aim for. Carbohydrate counting is a valuable tool for managing blood sugar, but it requires practice and knowledge, especially when dining out.

Common Restaurant Carbohydrate Sources

Understanding where carbohydrates hide in restaurant meals helps you make informed choices. Common sources include:

  • Bread, rolls, and tortillas
  • Rice, pasta, and other grains
  • Potatoes and other starchy vegetables
  • Beans and legumes
  • Fruits and fruit juices
  • Milk and yogurt
  • Desserts and sweets
  • Sauces and condiments with added sugars

Estimating Carbohydrates Without Labels

When nutritional information isn’t available, use these general guidelines for estimating carbohydrates:

  • One slice of bread: approximately 15 grams
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta: approximately 15 grams
  • One small potato: approximately 15 grams
  • 1/2 cup beans: approximately 15 grams
  • One small piece of fruit: approximately 15 grams

Eating about the same amount of carbs at each meal can be helpful. Consistency in carbohydrate intake helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and makes it easier to predict how your body will respond to meals.

The Plate Method for Restaurant Dining

The plate method gives a simple visual anchor on busy days. Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, one quarter with lean protein, and one quarter with higher-fiber carbohydrates. Add water or unsweetened beverages. This structure makes portioning easier without constant counting. It also adapts to home cooking, cafeterias, or restaurants with minor swaps.

The plate method is particularly useful in restaurant settings because it doesn’t require precise measurements or calculations. Simply visualize your plate divided into sections and fill them accordingly. This approach works with virtually any cuisine and helps ensure balanced nutrition while controlling portions.

Applying the Plate Method at Restaurants

When your meal arrives, mentally divide your plate:

  • Half the plate: Non-starchy vegetables like salad, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, peppers, or asparagus
  • One quarter: Lean protein such as grilled chicken, fish, lean beef, tofu, or beans
  • One quarter: Carbohydrate foods like brown rice, whole grain pasta, quinoa, sweet potato, or whole grain bread

If your restaurant meal doesn’t naturally fit this pattern, don’t hesitate to request modifications or leave portions uneaten. You can always ask for extra vegetables to replace starchy sides.

Managing Desserts and Sweet Treats

Dessert doesn’t have to be completely off-limits when you have diabetes, but it requires careful planning and moderation.

Strategies for Including Dessert

You can indulge in the occasional sweet treat while sticking with your diabetes meal plan. If you want something sweet, cut back on carbs during your meal. Pass on the bread basket, and hold the side of potatoes. To keep from overdoing it, share the dessert with someone. A few bites are usually all you need to feel satisfied.

Planning for dessert means making trade-offs earlier in the meal. If you know you want to enjoy a sweet treat, reduce your carbohydrate intake during the main course by skipping bread, choosing non-starchy vegetables instead of rice or potatoes, and keeping your protein portion moderate.

Better Dessert Choices

When selecting dessert, consider these relatively better options:

  • Fresh fruit or fruit salad
  • Sorbet or sherbet (small portion)
  • Sugar-free gelatin
  • Shared desserts (take just a few bites)
  • Coffee or tea with a small cookie

Remember that portion size matters more than the specific dessert choice. A few bites of a rich dessert may have less impact on your blood sugar than a large serving of a “healthier” option.

Monitoring and Adjusting

Successful diabetes management requires ongoing monitoring and adjustment, especially when introducing new foods or dining at unfamiliar restaurants.

Check Blood Sugar Before Dining Out

Dr. Chavez-Velazquez recommends checking your blood sugar before going out to eat so you have a better idea of what to order. Knowing your blood glucose level before the meal helps you make more informed decisions about what and how much to eat. If your blood sugar is already elevated, you may need to be more conservative with carbohydrate choices.

Monitor After Eating

While you get the hang of adjusting your dining out habits, it’s important to check your blood sugar levels after eating. Based on your readings, you can determine if you need to make more adjustments next time. Overall, you can eat healthfully and enjoy yourself with a bit of planning and a few intentional decisions.

Checking your blood sugar 1-2 hours after eating helps you understand how specific restaurant meals affect your glucose levels. Keep notes about what you ate and how your body responded, so you can make better choices in the future.

Adjust Medications as Needed

To help control your blood sugar, you may need to learn to figure out the amount of carbohydrates you are eating with the help of a dietitian. You can then adjust the dose of insulin accordingly. If you take insulin or other diabetes medications, work closely with your healthcare provider to understand how to adjust doses based on restaurant meals, which may contain more carbohydrates than your typical home-cooked meals.

Consider Post-Meal Activity

If you eat more carbohydrate at a meal than you had planned, take a walk or do other exercise. This will help lower your blood sugar. Physical activity after eating can help mitigate blood sugar spikes by increasing glucose uptake by muscles. Even a short 10-15 minute walk after a restaurant meal can make a significant difference in post-meal blood glucose levels.

Special Considerations and Challenges

Dining with Friends and Family

Social pressure can make restaurant dining challenging for people with diabetes. Well-meaning friends or family members may encourage you to “just this once” indulge in foods that don’t align with your health goals. It’s important to communicate your needs clearly and confidently. Most people will be supportive once they understand that managing your diabetes is a priority.

Consider sharing your diabetes management goals with dining companions ahead of time. This can help them understand why you’re making certain choices and may even inspire them to make healthier selections themselves.

Spontaneous Dining Situations

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, planning ahead simply isn’t possible. Friends or coworkers may spontaneously decide to go out for lunch, or you might opt for takeout after a long day. In these situations, rely on general principles: choose grilled over fried, load up on vegetables, watch portion sizes, and skip sugary beverages. Having a mental framework for making quick decisions helps you navigate unexpected dining situations successfully.

Managing Sodium Intake

Some experts recommend that people with diabetes get less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily and others recommend even lower levels (no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day — that’s less than a teaspoon). Restaurant meals are often very high in sodium, which can affect blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health. Request that your food be prepared without added salt, avoid obviously salty items like pickles and olives, and choose fresh foods over processed options when possible.

Handling Salad Dressings and Condiments

Salad sounds like a great choice, but the dressing can add 300 to 400 calories, not to mention the sodium and fat. Always request dressings and sauces on the side, and use them sparingly. Choose reduced-fat salad dressings. Or use oil-and-vinegar salad dressings instead of creamy dressings. A simple oil and vinegar dressing or a squeeze of lemon can provide flavor without excessive calories or hidden sugars.

Working with Healthcare Professionals

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, your health care provider will likely recommend that you see a dietitian to help you develop a healthy-eating plan. The plan helps you control your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, manage your weight and control heart disease risk factors.

Ask your doctor to refer you to diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services. Through DSMES, you’ll work with a diabetes educator to create a healthy meal plan just for you. You can also visit the Find a Diabetes Education Program in Your Area locator for DSMES services near you. Professional guidance can be invaluable in developing personalized strategies for restaurant dining that fit your specific health needs, medication regimen, and lifestyle.

A registered dietitian can help you understand carbohydrate counting, teach you how to read restaurant menus effectively, and provide specific recommendations for your favorite dining establishments. They can also help you troubleshoot challenges and adjust your approach based on your blood sugar monitoring results.

Creating Your Personal Restaurant Strategy

Developing a personalized approach to restaurant dining takes time and practice. Start by identifying your favorite restaurants and researching their menus to find diabetes-friendly options. Keep a journal of your restaurant experiences, noting what you ordered, how you felt afterward, and what your blood sugar readings showed. This information will help you refine your strategy over time.

Consider creating a list of “go-to” orders at your favorite restaurants—meals you know work well for your blood sugar control. This takes the guesswork out of ordering and reduces decision fatigue when dining out. Share this list with family members or friends who might make restaurant reservations on your behalf.

Building Confidence

Many people with diabetes initially feel anxious about dining out, worried about making mistakes or experiencing blood sugar spikes. Remember that managing diabetes is a learning process, and occasional imperfect meals are part of that journey. Each restaurant experience provides valuable information that helps you make better choices in the future.

Start with restaurants that you know offer healthy options and gradually expand your comfort zone. Practice making special requests in low-pressure situations until it becomes second nature. The more you dine out using these strategies, the more confident and skilled you’ll become.

Essential Tips Summary

To help you remember the key strategies for successful restaurant dining with diabetes, here’s a comprehensive checklist:

  • Before you go: Research the menu online, check nutritional information, plan your order, and check your blood sugar
  • Timing: Try to eat at your usual meal times, don’t arrive overly hungry, and have a small snack if dining later than usual
  • Beverages: Choose water, unsweetened tea, or other sugar-free drinks; avoid regular soda and sweetened beverages
  • Appetizers: Request that bread baskets be removed, start with vegetable-based soup or salad
  • Main course: Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, choose grilled or baked proteins, select whole grains when including carbohydrates
  • Modifications: Request sauces and dressings on the side, ask for vegetable substitutions, specify cooking methods
  • Portions: Box up half your meal immediately, share entrées, or order lunch-sized portions
  • Dessert: Share if you indulge, reduce carbs earlier in the meal, or choose fruit-based options
  • After dining: Check blood sugar 1-2 hours after eating, take a short walk if possible, note what worked well for future reference

The Bottom Line: Enjoyment and Health Can Coexist

While it’s great to be mindful of your eating out habits, remember that the goal is not perfection. It’s important to enjoy your meals and time with loved ones as well. Restaurant dining is an important part of social life and cultural experience. Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to avoid restaurants or miss out on enjoying meals with friends and family.

You can absolutely enjoy going out to eat if you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. It just takes some planning and intention to make smart choices when dining out. With the strategies outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate restaurant menus, make informed choices, and maintain good blood glucose control while enjoying the pleasure of dining out.

The key is finding balance—being mindful of your choices without becoming so restrictive that dining out loses its joy. Use these strategies as guidelines rather than rigid rules, and remember that one meal won’t derail your overall diabetes management. What matters most is the pattern of choices you make over time.

As you become more experienced with restaurant dining, you’ll develop intuition about what works for your body. You’ll learn which restaurants offer the best options, which menu items keep your blood sugar stable, and how to enjoy special occasions without compromising your health. This knowledge empowers you to live fully while managing your diabetes effectively.

For more information about diabetes management and nutrition, visit the American Diabetes Association or consult with a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes care. Additional resources can be found through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s diabetes section, which offers comprehensive information about living well with diabetes.

Remember, successful diabetes management is about progress, not perfection. Each time you dine out using these strategies, you’re taking positive steps toward better health while maintaining the quality of life you deserve. With planning, knowledge, and practice, you can enjoy restaurant meals as a regular part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle with diabetes.