Vegetarian Meal Plan for Diabetes

In this vegetarian plan for diabetes, we include plenty of plant-based proteins, plus fiber-packed foods—like legumes, fruits and vegetables and whole grains—to keep you feeling satisfied and your blood sugars and energy levels balanced all day long.

The key to good blood sugar balance is to eat quality high-fiber carbohydrates while including a solid amount of protein at each meal. This combination of fiber and protein at each meal helps slow down digestion, which also slows the rate at which glucose enters your bloodstream. As a result, you're less likely to experience drastic blood sugar spikes and energy swings in the short term, which has positive effects on your overall health in the long run.

Because weight loss can play a role in improving blood sugars, we set this plan at 1,500 calories per day, which is a level where most people will lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. If you have other calorie needs, we included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories per day.

Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet

Eating a balanced vegetarian diet has its share of health benefits. People who eat more plant-based foods are more likely to hit their daily fiber goals, which is a powerhouse nutrient that most of us are skimping on. Likely related to increased fiber intake, people who focus on plant-based proteins tend to have better blood sugars, lower body weights, improved heart health and even a lower risk of certain cancers.

Interested in eating more plant-based foods but unsure if you want to take the vegetarian plunge? The flexitarian diet is a great option—and you'll still reap the health benefits of plant-based foods.

Vegetarian Foods to Focus on for Diabetes

Include plenty of protein, high-fiber foods and healthy fats to maximize your health and stabilize blood sugars.

• Beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds, including natural nut butters (look for options with no added sugar)
• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Tofu
• Seitan
• Tempeh
• Edamame
• Flax, hemp and chia seeds
• Eggs
• Whole grains (oats, quinoa, bulgur, barley, sprouted bread)
• Vegetables, especially dark leafy greens
• Fruits, particularly berries and fruit with skin (such as apples and pears)
• Olives and olive oil
• Avocado

How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals

1. Make Muffin-Tin Omelets with Bell Pepper, Black Beans & Jack Cheese to have for breakfast throughout the week.
2. Prepare Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
3. Make Maple Granola to have throughout the week.

Day 1

Breakfast (329 calories, 30g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup raspberries
• 1 serving Maple Granola

A.M. Snack (206 calories, 7g carbohydrate)

• ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds

Lunch (304 calories, 40g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas

P.M. Snack (187 calories, 11g carbohydrate)

• ¾ cup low-fat plain kefir
• 8 dried walnut halves

Dinner (476 calories, 48g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Charred Vegetable & Bean Tostadas with Lime Crema
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette

Daily Totals: 1,502 calories, 80 g protein, 137 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 77 g fat, 1,386 mg sodium

To make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1/4 cup blueberries and omit the walnuts at P.M. snack.

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium apple with 1 1/2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch, increase to 15 dried walnut halves at P.M. snack, plus add 1/2 an avocado, sliced, to dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast (268 calories, 36g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Bell Pepper, Black Beans & Jack Cheese
• 1 medium pear

A.M. Snack (200 calories, 18g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup edamame, in pods

Lunch (405 calories, 19g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons

P.M. Snack (187 calories, 14g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup blueberries

Dinner (453 calories, 37g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Vegetarian Quinoa & Feta Stuffed Zucchini
• 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad

Daily Totals: 1,512 calories, 84 g protein, 125 g carbohydrates, 39 g fiber, 80 g fat, 1,571 mg sodium

To make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 peach and omit yogurt at P.M. snack.

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium apple with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch and add 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to P.M. snack.

Day 3

Breakfast (268 calories, 36g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Bell Pepper, Black Beans & Jack Cheese
• 1 medium pear

A.M. Snack (126 calories, 16g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup low-fat plain kefir
• ¼ cup raspberries

Lunch (405 calories, 19g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons

P.M. Snack (200 calories, 18g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup edamame, in pods

Dinner (485 calories, 47g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Roasted Chickpea Curry Bowl
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette

Daily Totals: 1,484 calories, 76 g protein, 136 g carbohydrates, 40 g fiber, 75 g fat, 1,769 mg sodium

To make it 1,200 calories: Reduce to 1/3 cup edamame in pods at P.M. snack and omit mixed greens with Citrus Vinaigrette at dinner.

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to A.M. snack and add 1 medium apple with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch.

Day 4

Breakfast (329 calories, 30g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup raspberries
• 1 serving Maple Granola

A.M. Snack (223 calories, 8g carbohydrate)

• 2 medium stalks celery
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter

Lunch (405 calories, 19g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons

P.M. Snack (114 calories, 15g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup blackberries
• 4 dried walnut halves

Dinner (439 calories, 40g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Greek Salad with Edamame
• 1-oz. slice whole-wheat baguette

Daily Totals: 1,510 calories, 77 g protein, 114 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 86 g fat, 1,423 mg sodium

To make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 plum and omit baguette at dinner.

To make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 3 stalks celery and 2 1/2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter at A.M. snack, add 1 large pear to lunch, increase to 20 dried walnut halves at P.M. snack plus swap 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast for the baguette at dinner.

Day 5

Breakfast (268 calories, 36g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Bell Pepper, Black Beans & Jack Cheese
• 1 medium pear

A.M. Snack (200 calories, 18g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup edamame, in pods

Lunch (405 calories, 19g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons

P.M. Snack (168 calories, 26g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup low-fat plain kefir
• 1 medium peach

Dinner (458 calories, 47g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Quinoa-Black Bean Salad

Meal-Prep Tip: reserve two servings Quinoa-Black Bean Salad to have for lunch on Days 6 and 7

Daily Totals: 1,500 calories, 76 g protein, 146 g carbohydrates, 37 g fiber, 72 g fat, 1,393 mg sodium

To make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 plum and omit kefir at P.M. snack

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium apple with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch and add 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to P.M. snack

Day 6

Breakfast (268 calories, 36g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Muffin-Tin Omelets with Bell Pepper, Black Beans & Jack Cheese
• 1 medium pear

A.M. Snack (145 calories, 12g carbohydrate)

• ¾ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup blueberries

Lunch (458 calories, 47g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Quinoa-Black Bean Salad

P.M. Snack (99 calories, 11g carbohydrate)

• ¾ cup blackberries
• 4 dried walnut halves

Dinner (541 calories, 41g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Crispy Egg Noodles with Tofu & Peanut Sauce

Daily Totals: 1,512 calories, 70 g protein, 147 g carbohydrates, 30 g fiber, 78 g fat, 1,140 mg sodium

To make it 1,200 calories: Omit pear at breakfast, omit yogurt at A.M. snack and change P.M. snack to 1 plum.

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to A.M. snack and add 1 medium apple with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch.

Day 7

Breakfast (329 calories, 30g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup raspberries
• 1 serving Maple Granola

A.M. Snack (200 calories, 18g carbohydrate)

• 1 cup edamame, in pods

Lunch (458 calories, 47g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Quinoa-Black Bean Salad

P.M. Snack (154 calories, 5g carbohydrate)

• 20 dry-roasted unsalted almonds

Dinner (362 calories, 38g carbohydrate)

• 1 serving Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing

Daily Totals: 1,503 calories, 74 g protein, 139 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 75 g fat, 1,025 mg sodium

To make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1/4 cup blueberries and change P.M. snack to 1 plum.

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium apple with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch and add 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast to dinner.