Living With Diabetes

Menu Planning and Shopping

You can use the diabetic meal pattern as the basic menu plan for the entire family. A good diet provides enough calories to help control weight, limit excess fat and cholesterol, provides ample fiber, and maintain sodium at a reasonable level.

Having to follow the diabetic meal plan may be the first time you have felt the need for formally planning meals and shopping ahead.

Menu planning can help you:

• get rid of last minute meal decisions
• choose nutritious and varied meals
• limit leftovers
• save time
• save money

Menu Planning

Planning menus helps you decide what your family will eat for a certain time period. It helps you make shopping lists and decide how foods will be prepared and served.

Here are some tips for menu planning:

1. Select a quiet time and place to work.
2. Collect favorite cookbooks, recipes and menu ideas.
3. Know what foods you already have on hand.
4. Think about family likes and dislikes.
5. Know what foods are now in season and cost less.
6. Know current prices so you can compare store specials.
7. Plan the meat dish first, then choose the vegetables, breads and fruits to go along with it.
8. Plan one week at a time. Start with the day after the weekly shopping trip.
9. Keep to a food budget.
10. Plan meals to fit cooking skills.
11. Plan menus to fit the time allowed to prepare meals.
12. Balance food colors, textures, flavors, shapes, sizes and temperatures.
13. Make a shopping list.
14. Decide the amount of money you have for food for the entire month.
15. Divide this amount by four to decide how much money you can spend each week.
16. Only spend above this amount if there is a special on a food you normally use.
17. Limit the use of high-priced convenience foods.
18. Clip coupons for foods you use often. Keep your coupons filed. Even swap coupons at the grocery store or with friends.
19. Avoid "dietetic" foods. They often cost more and may not be ideal for your meal plan.

To be a success at meal planning keep in mind these goals:

• Meet the nutrition needs of each family member.
• Offer meals that everyone will eat and enjoy.
• Budget your food money carefully.
• Control your time for shopping and fixing food.

Developed by:
Connie C. Crawley M.S., R.D.

Reviewed by:
Gwen Gore, M.S., R.D.
Ann Peisher, D.P.A.
Thomas Huff, M.D.
Max Stachura, M.D.

The Cooperative Extension Service, The University of Georgia College of Agriculture offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap status.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER F & N

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

C. Wayne Jordan, Director

Fort Valley State University