1800 Calorie Meal Plan for Vegan Diabetic

For a vegan diet, it is important to incorporate enough fiber, vitamins, and protein to keep you full and energized. For a vegan diabetic, a diet plan requires even more attention to detail to keep blood glucose levels where they should be.

Here are some ideas for an 1800 calorie a day vegan diabetic meal plan:

Breakfast

No matter what kind of diet plan you follow, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Especially for diabetics, eating a healthy balanced breakfast is how you start the day with enough energy and get blood sugar levels on track.

For vegan diabetics following an 1800 calorie a day diet, start your day with fiber rich whole grains and fresh fruit to fill you up and boost your energy levels.

Example: One serving (1/2 cup) of steel cut oats topped with ¼ cup fresh blueberries and slivered almonds. Serve with a glass of cold unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Total Calories: 350

Lunch

Especially when you are out on the go or at work, lunch is often the hardest meal to follow on a diet plan. Instead of relying on yourself to find the right foods in a pinch, pack a lunch to bring with you every day.

Example: One 6” whole wheat pita pocket stuffed with raw kale, shredded carrot, sliced raw sweet peppers, and seasoned chickpeas (drain and rinse canned chickpeas and season to taste with ground cumin, minced garlic, and lemon juice- use about ½ cup in your pita). Add in any other raw veggies that you prefer such as radish, peppers, onions, or cucumbers. If needed, use 1 tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise. Pair with a cool glass of unsweetened iced tea. Total Calories: 450

Dinner

Dinnertime is often the largest meal of the day. Not only is it the finish to a long, hard day, but it is also the meal that keeps your blood sugar levels maintained throughout the night while you are sleeping.

Example: Veggie stir fry with 1 cup of cooked brown rice. For your stir fry, sauté chopped vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, water chestnuts, bok choy, celery, cabbage, broccoli, sugar snap peas, and extra firm tofu cubes in one tablespoon of sesame oil. Season with low sodium soy sauce and serve over rice. Have a small glass of unsweetened juice. Total Calories: 650

Snacks

Snacks are important. The right snacks can not only help keep you full and energized during the day, but also help maintain blood sugar levels. Snacks are usually eaten three times per day, between meals, and should be roughly 100 calories.

Ideas for healthy snacks to fit your diet plan:

•    Two tablespoons of hummus with your choice of raw veggies or a handful of pretzels.
•    A small handful of raw almonds (about 15 almonds).
•    Two cups of air-popped popcorn with one tablespoon of nutritional yeast (tastes cheesy).
•    A serving of kale chips or other baked vegetable chips.
•    One tablespoon of all natural peanut butter on celery.

For more snack ideas click here.