Diabetes is a chronic disease that involves the regulation of blood sugar and occurs in two different forms, type 1 and type 2.

A healthy lifestyle will help you attain and maintain a healthy weight, manage your blood glucose level, lower blood pressure if you have high blood pressure, reduce stress and improve your mood.

Your meal plan tells you when to eat your meals and snacks, what kinds of foods to eat, and how much of each food to eat. You don’t have to give up all the foods you like. But you do need to follow some guidelines.

Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of glucose, a special kind of sugar. Your dietitian will probably recommend that 55 to 60 percent of your calories come from carbohydrates. There are two types of carbohydrates: complex and simple.

Choose carefully and cook wisely. As you shop, think about how the foods you choose will fit into your meal plan. When you cook, try to cut down on sugar and fat. If you have high blood pressure, cut down on salt as well.

Eating right is an important step in keeping your blood glucose in balance. You can eat out and be healthy—you just need to be aware of what you order. This meal plan will give you plenty of healthy foods to choose from.

How did Erik Chopin lose more than half his weight—dropping from 407 pounds to 193? "One meal at a time," he says.