Diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Hong Kong. At present, about one in ten people in Hong Kong have diabetes. Appropriate dietary management not only effectively maintains blood glucose at or close to a normal level, but also helps prevent or delay the complications of diabetes, such as diabetic foot; diabetic eye disease and diabetic kidney disease.
The key of a diabetic diet is to properly distribute the amount of carbohydrate intake from main meals, soup, fruits and snacks. Our blood glucose level is affected by the carbohydrate intake, which can be properly spread throughout the day. This will help effectively control our blood sugar levels. Carbohydrate can be found in sugar and honey, grains and cereals, root vegetables and dried beans, as well as the fructose from fruits and the lactose from milk.
People with diabetes should follow the following dietary recommendations:
The diabetic diet is widely regarded as completely different from a regular diet, and is often mistaken as bland, boring and painful to follow. In fact, the diabetic diet is a healthy eating habit. It can be delicious and surprisingly imaginative rather than boring. As long as you understand the concept behind, you can easily modify your diet according to your health condition, lifestyle, work and social life.
The following hyperlink provides a series of well-balanced, healthy homemade dishes for your reference. These recipes are suitable for diabetic patients as well as people who want to eat healthy. Each recipe comes with a cooking demonstration video, an ingredient list and nutritional analysis.
Diabetes-friendly RecipesOne-week meal plan template (suitable for diabetics)
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
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Breakfast |
Brown Bread Sandwich with Low-fat Cheese and Tuna |
Whole Grain and Low-sugar Cereals with Skimmed Milk |
Macaroni in Soup with Shredded Pork and Tomato |
Steamed Wholemeal Chinese Bun |
Pasta in Soup with Lettuce and Chicken |
Brown Bread Sandwich with Tomato and Egg |
Oatmeal in Skimmed Milk with Dried Cranberries and Plain Nuts |
Low-fat and Low-sugar Chocolate Milk |
Low-sugar/Sugar-free Soy Milk (fortified with calcium) |
Low-sugar/Sugar-free Soy Milk (fortified with calcium) |
Low-sugar/Sugar-free Soy Milk (fortified with calcium) |
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Morning Tea |
Apple |
Pear |
Orange |
Grapes |
Dragon Fruit |
Watermelon |
Plain Biscuits |
Lunch (Assuming that you eat out) |
Vermicelli in Soup with Wontons |
Rice with Tomato and Beef |
Pasta with Shrimp and Italian Herbs |
Rice with Steamed Chicken (with no skin) |
Ramen with Pork and Vegetables |
Rice in Soup with Seafood and Winter Melon |
Steamed Fresh Prawn Dumpling |
Blanched Vegetables (with no added oil) |
Blanched Vegetables(with no added oil) |
Salad Green (with less sauce) |
Blanched Vegetables (with no added oil) |
Steamed Stuffed Dumpling with Shrimp |
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Steamed Rice-flour Roll with Beef |
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Steamed Chicken Bun |
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Blanched Vegetables (with no added oil) |
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Afternoon Tea |
Kiwi Fruit |
Papaya |
Low-fat and Low-sugar Fruit-flavoured Yoghurt |
Plain Biscuits |
Roasted Plain Nuts |
Strawberries |
Mandarin |
Dinner (Designed for a family with 4 members) |
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Mixed Brown and White Rice |
Mixed Red and White Rice |
Rice with Mixed Grains |
White Rice with Quinoa |
Mixed Brown and White Rice |
Mixed Red and White Rice |
Rice with Mixed Grains |
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Dessert |
Kiwi Fruit |
Remarks:
The above meal plan is for reference only. The recommended daily intake of carbohydrate may vary among diabetic patients. Please seek professional advice from health care providers or dietitians in advance and adjust the portion size accordingly.