Let’s talk about what people with diabetes ‘should’ eat

If there’s one topic sure to get people shouting in all caps, it’s what people with diabetes ‘should’ eat. Bridget McNulty has a few opinions to share (surprise surprise!)

(Please don’t just tell me to eat salad. I can’t do it.)

What people with diabetes ‘should’ eat

Perhaps the reason this conversation makes people so angry is that it’s a silly conversation. There is no one right or wrong way for people with diabetes to eat. We are all individuals, with different likes and dislikes, lifestyles, cultures, budgets and schedules. Life throws so much at each of us, and most of the time (I would argue), we are doing our best.

Except.

At the same time, there is no doubt that refined white carbs are terrible for diabetes and blood sugar management. White rice, white bread, white pasta, cakes, cookies, sweets, juice – you know the list by now. None of us ‘should’ be eating that on a daily basis.

That’s why Sweet Life has taken a simple approach, with 5 Food Rules which I wrote about last year. You don’t have to agree with this approach, of course, but it’s one that feels authentic and true for us when it comes to discussing what people with diabetes should eat.

Sweet Life’s diabetes and food advice is simple:
Eat whole foods. Lots of green vegetables.
Cut down on carbs. Remove refined carbs.
Enjoy your food!

Sweet Life 7 day meal plan

In this spirit, we recently released the Sweet Life 7 day meal plan, which we developed for the Sweet Life chatbot, but wanted to share with our community. It’s a 7 Day Healthy Eating Meal Plan, with 7 ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Friends, when I tell you this is one of the things I’m most proud of creating in my career, I’m not exaggerating. Meal Plans drive me nuts! They’re always so aspirational – grilled fish for lunch! Who can afford that? Or they suggest leftovers for lunch the next day, but anyone on a budget isn’t cooking so there are leftovers. Meal plans are like a dietician’s dream of what someone with diabetes would eat, rather than what people with diabetes actually eat.

So we decided to make a truly useful Healthy Eating Meal Plan. We spoke to dieticians, and people with diabetes, and brought together the meals that our community is actually eating and suggestions for how to make them healthier.

The result is this truly beautiful 7 day suggestion of how to eat the food you’re eating, but with a healthy twist. I am so proud of it! I love it so much! (You can download a detailed version of it here.)

People with diabetes should eat this, not that!!!!!!!

When we shared it on South Africans with Diabetes last week, I got some very enraged comments, and a couple of direct messages asking if I knew anything about diabetes at all. (I explained that I’ve been living with it for 17 years and running Sweet Life for nearly 13 years, so I know a thing or two).

Some people are outraged – OUTRAGED!!!!!!! – that we should suggest that those with diabetes can eat oats. Or a peanut butter sandwich. Or a small portion of pap. We have been told we’re being wildly irresponsible suggesting such foolishness.

But I ask you: what’s more helpful? Being shown a meal plan that you know you definitely will not follow (pure aspiration), or being given a meal plan that you could actually definitely follow, if you added some more vegetables to your lunch and dinner?

The plate model

In each suggested meal, we have followed the plate model: the widely accepted ‘recipe’ for a healthy plate of food for people with diabetes. Half a plate of green leafy veg, a quarter of a plate of protein, a quarter of a plate of wholegrain starch. Those who don’t eat carbs can adjust their plate to be without starch.

We’re not reinventing the wheel here, we are merely trying to suggest an eating plan that people with diabetes will actually follow. But clearly I’m missing something here: why are so many people outraged? Please explain to me!

I love a good debate, so I’m also very open to discussing whether this approach is helpful – or if you think it’s better to give people an ideal eating plan to reach for.

What do you think?

What to read next?

Free recipe! Healthy low carb, low cost snack: Snacking with diabetes is hard. What are you supposed to eat that doesn’t spike your blood sugar? That’s why we’re delighted to share this healthy, low carb, low cost snack recipe with you.

Let’s talk about diabetes and food: Diabetes and food. Is there a subject more likely to start people arguing? I don’t think so…

How to interpret food labels for diabetics: How do you know if a product is going to be good or bad for your blood sugar? Once you understand what to look for on food labels, you’ll be
able to choose the right products to help control your blood sugar.