Diabetes is certainly not an unmanageable condition. With proper medication, strict exercise regime and accurate diabetes menu plans, you can lead a normal life. Here are a few things that you should take into account while planning your diabetes menu.

• Include complex carbohydrates like lentils, whole grains, brown rice, pasta and oats in your diet.  Intake of simple sugars like soft drinks, coffee, chocolates, cakes and so forth should be restricted.
• Consumption of fresh fruits like apples, oranges, papaya, and the like should be increased. Green vegetables like beans, spinach, carrots should also form an important ingredient of your diabetic menu plans.
  Substantial amount of proteins and fats should also be taken in.
• Processed foods should be avoided at all costs. Try to keep your diet as natural as possible.
• Count your calories routinely; read the labels before buying any food item. Habitually measure the calories of canned or purchased meals.
• Minimize intake of diary products. If have to take in milk to replenish your calcium requirements, go for skimmed milk and non-fat yogurt.
• Drink plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses per day. Avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks; they will aggravate your diabetes.
• In a bid to control your diabetes, do not skip meals. Furthermore, instead of taking one or two large meals, several hours apart, eat three to four small or medium-sized meals. Two to three snacks per day are also necessary.
• Do not allow your erratic work schedules and busy lifestyle to ruin your diabetic menu plans. Follow them ardently because any laxity in doing that would put your health at great risk.

Every diabetic has a different calorie requirement; hence together with medication and fitness routine, you should also ask your physician to help you chalk out an appropriate diabetic menu.