Meal Planning and Preparation Guide for Diabetes (English and Spanish)

Diabetes can be a challenging diagnosis for an individual to manage, often requiring increased
engagement with health care providers and the health care system, along with behavioral and
lifestyle changes. Diabetes affects 37 million people living within the United States; and people
experiencing homelessness and housing instability are two times more likely to be diagnosed
with diabetes than the general population. Diabetes management often requires frequent
monitoring of blood sugar levels, taking medication and adjusting doses in response to blood
sugar, and eating foods that help maintain stable levels. These activities become much more
complicated when unhoused, living in unstable housing, or managing limited economic
resources. Individuals must rely on outside sources for food, limiting their autonomy in making
food choices. Those who have housing may not have funds to purchase a variety of ingredients
or kitchen tools, as they need to ensure their dollars stretch across the month. Unfortunately,
many resources developed for those managing diabetes assume that a person is housed
(stably) and has adequate funds to purchase a variety of ingredients and prepare meals using
different kinds of kitchen equipment. Providers within health centers often must adapt or
create resources that meet the needs of their clients.

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