Vegetarian Meal Plans for Diabetes

Rutuja Mahajan explains how you can continue to enjoy the most delicious pleasures of the traditional Indian cuisine by making some simple and easy changes to your meals.

- Rutuja Mahajan

Eating rules!

Indian cuisine comprises of a wide variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent. The differences found in soil type, climate, culture, ethnic groups and occupations affect these cuisines. They vary according to locally available spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits. In India, spices form the backbone of cooking. Although the list and techniques used to prepare some recipes can be intimidating, they provide tantalising flavours and bring a sentiment to the cuisine. Wheat is commonly consumed in the northern, western and central states while rice is the staple in the south and the east.

Eating right the Indian way

Diet plan for people with Diabetes are included in this article. These are based on cuisines from North, South, east and West India. The balanced and nutritious diet plan will provide you with 1200-1500 calories per day with carbs, fat, and proteins in the right proportions. It is advisable to have at least one fruit (100-150 g) every day between meals. It is also a good practice to start meals with fibres and protein. This will prevent you from overeating.

Meal plate in North India

North India has extreme climates with extremely hot summers and extremely cold winters. The northern region comprises of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. These states have an abundance of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. The northern region has had strong Central Asian influences both in its culture and its food with relation to the rest of the subcontinent. Mughlai and Kashmiri styles of cooking are not just prevalent in this region but are also very popular.