Plant-based meals are packed with nutrients and minerals that are great for keeping the body powered. Even if you aren’t vegetarian or vegan, swapping a plant-based meal in one or twice a week could be beneficial. But how does that work with the Diabetes Plate ? The Diabetes Plate is a simple way to eat a lower carb, balanced meal. Created by the American Diabetes Association’s nutritional experts, this easy-to-follow method of meal planning and eating requires no measuring, weighing, or calculating. Using a 9-inch plate, fill half with non-starchy veggies. Then split the other half with ¼