Why Food Matter?

A healthy diet plays a key role in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes. [1]

Image 1

Controlling blood sugar levels

Image 2

Managing body weight

Image 3

Reducing the risk of complications (e.g., heart disease)

Diabetes Plate Model

🥦 ½ of the plate = Non-Starchy Vegetables

These vegetables are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, which means they won’t cause a sharp rise in your blood sugar. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Examples:

  • Leafy greens: spinach, kale, lettuce

  • Cruciferous: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage

  • Others: zucchini, eggplant, cucumber, mushrooms, capsicum

Why they matter:
They add bulk to your meal, help you feel full, and promote gut and heart health — all without raising your glucose levels. [3]

💧 Drink: Water or Unsweetened Beverages

Staying hydrated is important for overall health and helps the body regulate blood sugar levels. Choosing water or drinks without added sugar supports diabetes management and reduces the risk of blood glucose spikes.

Why it matters:
Sugary drinks can raise blood glucose quickly. Water keeps you hydrated without adding calories or sugar, helping to maintain balance with every meal. [3]

Image 4

🍚 ¼ of the plate = Whole Grains or Low-GI Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates do affect blood sugar, but not all carbs are the same. Choosing low glycemic index (GI) carbs means they break down slowly and provide a more stable release of glucose into the blood.

Examples:

  • Brown rice, quinoa, barley

  • Sweet potato, pumpkin

  • Wholemeal pasta or bread

  • Rolled oats, buckwheat, corn

Why they matter:
These carbs provide energy and important nutrients, while avoiding sudden spikes in blood glucose.[2]

🍗 ¼ of the plate = Lean Protein

Protein helps to stabilize blood sugar by slowing down digestion and keeping you fuller for longer. It also helps preserve muscle mass, which is especially important if you're trying to lose weight or prevent insulin resistance.

Examples:

  • Chicken (skinless), turkey, fish

  • Tofu, tempeh, eggs

  • Legumes like lentils or chickpeas

  • Low-fat cheese or yogurt (if dairy is tolerated)

Why they matter:
Protein has a minimal effect on blood sugar levels and supports overall metabolic health. [3]

Use This App – Listonic

Planning meals can be easy with the right tools!

Download : Listonic

Android | iOS | Web

Image 5

Many people don’t realise that Listonic—a free shopping list app—can also help you plan healthy meals, especially if you’re managing type 2 diabetes.

Here’s how it works:

  • 📦 Add product details
    You can manually enter notes for each food item — like calories, portion size, brand, or GI rating. For example:
    “Wholemeal bread – low GI, 70 cal/slice”

  • 🧾 Add prices
    Keep track of your grocery budget by entering prices next to each item. Helpful if you’re planning low-cost diabetes-friendly meals!

  • 🗂️ Sort by categories
    Listonic automatically organises your list into categories like Vegetables, Grains, or Dairy — making it easier to focus on food groups recommended for diabetes.

  • 📌 Pin or highlight healthy staples
    You can star or prioritise key foods like leafy greens, legumes, and low-GI grains — helping you make consistent, smart choices.

  • 🔄 Reuse lists
    Once you’ve created a diabetes-friendly shopping list, you can reuse and tweak it each week — saving time and reducing the chance of impulse buys.

💡 While Listonic doesn’t calculate calories automatically, it gives you the flexibility to note down key nutrition info and plan smarter shopping for your health. [4]

Reference

  1. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 2021, Australian national diabetes strategy 2021–2030, Australian Government, accessed 14 May 2025, https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/australian-national-diabetes-strategy-2021-2030.

  2. Diabetes Australia 2023, Healthy eating, Diabetes Australia, accessed 14 May 2025, https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/living-with-diabetes/healthy-eating/.

  3. American Diabetes Association 2018, What is the diabetes plate method?, Diabetes Food Hub, accessed 14 May 2025, https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/blog/what-diabetes-plate.html.

  4. Listonic 2025, The smart shopping list app, Listonic, accessed 15 May 2025, https://listonic.com/.

Image

Image 1 - Fakeeh Care (n.d.) Normal blood sugar levels for diabetics and non-diabetics [image], Fakeeh Care, accessed 15 May 2025, https://en.dsfhriyadh.fakeeh.care/blog/normal-blood-sugar-levels-for-diabetics-and-non-diabetics

Image 2 - OrthoIndy (2019) The danger of extreme dieting for fast weight loss [image], OrthoIndy Blog, accessed 15 May 2025, https://blog.orthoindy.com/2019/02/04/the-danger-of-extreme-dieting-for-fast-weight-loss/

Image 3 - Itoo, T.H. (2024) Understanding heart diseases [image], Rising Kashmir, accessed 15 May 2025, https://risingkashmir.com/understanding-heart-diseases/

Image 4 - ADA Nutrition & Wellness Team (2025) What is the Diabetes Plate? [image], Diabetes Food Hub, accessed 15 May 2025, https://diabetesfoodhub.org/blog/what-diabetes-plate

Image 5 - Listonic (n.d.) Smart shopping list interface [image], Listonic, accessed 15 May 2025, https://listonic.com/