7-Day Diabetes Meal Plan for Healthy Aging, Created by a Dietitian

This meal plan is full of fiber, protein, calcium and vitamin D for healthy muscles, bones and blood sugar levels.

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A jar of yogurt topped with fruit and nuts alongside a bowl of brown rice with avocado seaweed and tuna
Credit:

Recipe photos: Jen Causey. EatingWell design.

  • This 7-day plan is set at 1,800 calories, with modifications for 1,500 and 2,000 calories.
  • Each day provides at least 80 grams of protein and 30 grams of fiber to support healthy aging, balanced blood sugars, cardiovascular health, digestion and more. 
  • This plan prioritizes key nutrients for healthy aging, including protein, fiber, calcium and vitamin D.

Almost 15% of U.S. adults have diabetes, yet learning how to manage it may feel overwhelming. That’s why we created this meal plan. Each meal and snack meets our diabetes-appropriate nutrition guidelines designed to support healthy blood sugar levels and prevent heart disease. Since diabetes rates are higher among older adults, we also made sure to focus on key nutrients for promoting muscle mass, heart health and bone density as you age—protein, calcium, vitamin D and fiber. In fact, each day provides at least 80 grams of protein and 30 grams of fiber. Even if you haven’t hit 60 yet, it’s never too early to start prioritizing these nutrients so you can age with grace.

Meal Plan at a Glance
Breakfast/ A.M. Snack Lunch/ P.M. Snack Dinner/ Evening Snack
French toast & berries/ Mixed nuts Tuna rice bowl/ Cocoa chia pudding Sweet chili salmon bowl
Vanilla-cranberry overnight oats/ Yogurt parfait Chickpea salad lunch box/ Cocoa chia pudding Balsamic chicken with arugula salad/ Crunchy chickpeas
Vanilla-cranberry overnight oats/ Edamame Chickpea salad lunch box/ Cocoa chia pudding Mojo chicken with veggies/ Crunchy chickpeas
Vanilla-cranberry overnight oats/ Mixed nuts Chickpea salad/ Edamame Creamy pesto shrimp & gnocchi/ Yogurt parfait
Yogurt parfait/ Mixed nuts Chickpea salad/ Cottage cheese snack jar Spicy chicken & cabbage stir-fry/ Apple & nut butter
Yogurt parfait/ Edamame Chicken & feta wrap/ Cottage cheese snack jar Chicken with rice & green beans/ Apple & nut butter
Yogurt parfait/ Edamame Chicken & feta wrap/ Cottage cheese snack jar High-protein pasta with peas/ Yogurt parfait

Day 1 

Air-fryer French toast sticks on a white plate, drizzled with maple syrup, with a small bowl of raspberries next to it
Air-Fryer French Toast Sticks.

Jason Donnelly

Breakfast (403 Calories) 

Morning Snack (199 Calories) 

  • ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted mixed nuts 

Lunch (394 calories) 

Afternoon Snack (222 Calories) 

Dinner (604 Calories) 

Daily totals: 1,822 calories, 88 g fat, 93 g protein, 168 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 1,724 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 calories: Omit morning snack and omit avocado from dinner.

To make it 2,000 calories: Add ¼ cup hummus with 1 cup cucumbers as an evening snack. 

Day 2

A lunchbox containing raspberries crackers and a chickpea salad with tomatoes and cucumbers
Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box.

Ali Redmond

Breakfast (422 Calories) 

Morning Snack (125 Calories) 

  • ½ cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • ½ cup fresh blueberries

Lunch (422 calories) 

Afternoon Snack (222 Calories) 

Dinner (485 Calories) 

Evening Snack (100 Calories) 


Daily totals: 1,776 calories, 81 g fat, 90 g protein, 190 g carbohydrates, 44 g fiber, 1,399 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 calories: Omit blueberries from morning snack and omit afternoon snack. 

To make it 2,000 calories: Increase morning snack to 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt with 1 cup blueberries and add ½ cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt and ¼ cup cucumbers to evening snack to make a savory yogurt bowl.

Day 3

Recipe image of Sheet-Pan Mojo Chicken with Green Beans & Red Potatoes
Sheet-Pan Mojo Chicken with Green Beans & Potatoes.

Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.

Breakfast (422 Calories) 

Morning Snack (129 Calories) 

  • 1 cup edamame, in pods (microwaved from frozen) 

Lunch (505 calories) 

Afternoon Snack (222 Calories) 

Dinner (413 Calories) 

Evening Snack (100 Calories) 


Daily totals: 1,790 calories, 85 g fat, 94 g protein, 181 g carbohydrates, 49 g fiber, 1,422 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 calories: Omit yogurt from lunch and omit afternoon snack. 

To make it 2,000 calories: Add ⅓ avocado to dinner and add ½ cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt and ¼ cup cucumbers to evening snack to make a savory yogurt bowl.

Day 4

a recipe photo of Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas
Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas.

Photographer: Greg DuPree, Prop stylist: Shell Royster, Food stylist: Emily Hall

Breakfast (422 Calories) 

Morning Snack (199 Calories) 

  • ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted mixed nuts 

Lunch (422 calories) 

Afternoon Snack (129 Calories) 

  • 1 cup edamame, in pods (microwaved from frozen) 

Dinner (409 Calories) 

Evening Snack (250 Calories) 

  • 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • 1 cup blueberries 


Daily totals: 1,830 calories, 86 g fat, 87 g protein, 192 g carbohydrates, 37 g fiber, 1,222 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 calories: Omit morning and afternoon snacks. 

To make it 2,000 calories: Add ¼ cup hummus with 1 cup cucumbers to afternoon snack.

Day 5

Recipe image of Everything Bagel Cottage Cheese Snack Jar with Bell Peppers and Chickpeas
Everything Bagel Cottage Cheese Snack Jar with Bell Peppers and Chickpeas.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Breakfast (381 Calories) 

Morning Snack (199 Calories) 

  • ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted mixed nuts 

Lunch (422 calories) 

Afternoon Snack (195 Calories) 

Dinner (392 Calories) 

Evening Snack (190 Calories) 

  • 1 medium apple
  • 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter


Daily totals: 1,779 calories, 81 g fat, 93 g protein, 173 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 1,406 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 calories: Omit walnuts from breakfast and omit evening snack . 

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 Tbsp. chia seeds to breakfast, add ½ cup blueberries to morning snack, and add 1 cup edamame, in pods (microwaved from frozen) to dinner.

Day 6 

a recipe photo of the Chicken, Spinach & Feta Wrap
Chicken, Spinach & Feta Wrap.

Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabe Greco

Breakfast (381 Calories) 

Morning Snack (129 Calories) 

  • 1 cup edamame, in pods (microwaved from frozen) 

Lunch (457 calories) 

Afternoon Snack (195 Calories) 

Dinner (459 Calories) 

Evening Snack (190 Calories) 

  • 1 medium apple
  • 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter 


Daily totals: 1,810 calories, 78 g fat, 124 g protein, 160 g carbohydrates, 36 g fiber, 1,547 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 calories: Omit morning and evening snacks. 

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 Tbsp. chia seeds to breakfast, add ½ cup blueberries to morning snack, and add ⅓ avocado to lunch wrap.

Day 7 

Recipe image of High-Protein Pasta with Peas
High-Protein Pasta with Peas.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Breakfast (381 Calories) 

Morning Snack (129 Calories) 

  • 1 cup edamame, in pods (microwaved from frozen)  

Lunch (457 calories) 

Afternoon Snack (195 Calories) 

Dinner (414 Calories) 

Evening Snack (250 Calories) 

  • 1 cup low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
  • 1 cup blueberries 


Daily totals: 1,825 calories, 71 g fat, 119 g protein, 181 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 1,369 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 calories: Omit morning and afternoon snacks. 

To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 Tbsp. chia seeds to breakfast and add ⅓ avocado to lunch wrap.

Prep-Ahead Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is it OK to mix and match meals if there’s one I don’t like?

    Yes! This meal plan is meant to serve as inspiration. It doesn’t need to be followed exactly to reap the benefits. When choosing recipes, we made sure to check the calories, fiber, protein and sodium to align with the parameters of this plan and be within our sodium limits. If you’re making a recipe swap, it may be helpful to choose a recipe with similar calories, fiber, protein and sodium levels. For more inspiration, check out these delicious diabetes-friendly recipes.

  • Can I eat the same breakfast or lunch every day?

    Definitely, it’s fine to eat the same breakfast or lunch every day. The breakfasts range from 381 to 422 calories, while the lunches span 394 to 505 calories. These ranges are fairly close, though if you’re closely monitoring your calories or other nutrients, like protein, you may want to adjust a snack or two.

  • Why is there not a 1,200-calorie modification?

    We no longer provide modifications for 1,200-calorie days in our meal plans. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that limiting calories to 1,200 per day is too low for most people to meet their nutritional needs, plus it’s unsustainable for long-term health and well-being.

Other Tips for Healthy Aging

Besides eating a well-rounded diet with plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, there are a few other lifestyle changes you can make for healthy aging. For one, try to stay active through a mix of aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening and balance work. This promotes heart health, metabolic health and helps prevent falls. It also helps combat age-related losses in muscle mass and bone density.

Also, don’t underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. This is when your body and brain slow down to rest and recover from the wear-and-tear of the day. Studies show that not getting enough quality sleep is linked with higher rates of depression, dementia, falls and cognitive decline. Other things that support healthy aging include keeping up with regular checkups with your health care providers, minimizing your alcohol intake, quitting smoking, regularly socializing and keeping your mind active through reading, writing or games.

How We Create Meal Plans

Registered dietitians thoughtfully create EatingWell’s meal plans to be easy-to-follow and delicious. Each meal plan meets specific parameters depending on the health condition and/or lifestyle goal it is targeting and is analyzed for accuracy using the nutrition database, ESHA Food Processor. As nutritional needs differ from person to person, we encourage you to use these plans as inspiration and adjust as you see fit.

Dig Deeper

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Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report.

  2. USDA MyPlate. Older adults.

  3. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.

  4. National Institute on Aging. Tips for Getting and Staying Active as You Age.

  5. National Institute on Aging. What Do We Know About Healthy Aging?