By the diabetic diet, I mean the one that was "prescribed" for me at the time I was diagnosed...after I got my diagnosis I had to attend a 2-day class explaining the disease and how to manage it. The diet that is recommended is a little different for everyone based on your blood sugar "goals", but the basic feature of it is that it limits carbs, and distributes them evenly throughout the day to prevent highs and lows in blood sugar. I don't have a problem limiting carbs -- I know this is a good idea, especially if you're diabetic and trying to lose weight. My main problem is eating them in the pattern that is prescribed, which for me is four servings at breakfast, four at lunch, and four at dinner.

For example, my recommended breakfast is supposed to include four carb servings (15 g each), and I had been used to eating a very light breakfast. One slice of wheat toast with a serving of peanut butter isn't enough to satisfy the requirements of this diet -- I'd have to eat something like the slice of toast, a serving of skim milk, and two pieces of fruit to get the recommended carbs. A lot of food for breakfast, when I'm not that hungry. But at dinner, if I turn to one of my low-calorie Weight Watchers meals, sometimes the carbs confuse things. Like in my example above, a serving of fat-free refried beans is more than one serving of carbs. I could spread it thinly on two small tortillas and add a partial serving of cheese and 3 oz. of lean protein (grilled chicken) and that would be my dinner...which, even served with a little side salad, seems somewhat small compared to breakfast. I'd be wishing for a couple of those carb servings I had to have at breakfast, so I could add a little rice on the side, or a 1/2 serving more of beans.

I've found a lot of foods that are "one serving" actually contain more than 15 g of carbs. As with any diet, very important to read those labels!

I know this diet is all about moderation and portion size, which I am fine with -- it's the spacing of food throughout the day that is presenting a challenge. I think trying different diets through the years has gotten me geared toward the idea of "saving up" calories so I can eat at least some of the "bad" things I like, but with diabetes you really aren't supposed to save up and then splurge. It's just something I have found very challenging about managing this illness.

What do you mean by the diabetic diet? Can you be more specific? It is never healthy to eat too many carbs at once, especially for a diabetic. You don't make it clear what exactly your problem is: do you find yourself eating too many carbs or not enough?

You say it is hard to eat 4 carb servings in the morning, but 1/2 a cup of beans has too many carbs. That is confusing. Please clarify and thanks.

Hello there have you looked in the the Low Glycemic diet? I myself am using the zone diet and its works wonders however I'm not a diabetic but I do have PCOS which it is somewhat simular to the low glycemic diet so I'm told. Just a suggestion!