Anita has had diabetes for a long time; however, she was very careful with her diet, and yet, her blood sugar levels were still fluctuating erratically. She abandoned consuming sweet foods and replaced them with healthier options as much as possible, but even after eating, she still felt drowsy and dizzy. That was the day, during a chat with her doctor, that she understood that timing her meals may be just as important as what she ate.She started working on her meal times and found she was able to make quite a difference. Rather than skipping meals or having inconsistent eatings, she began to have consistent balanced meals at usual times. Her energy returned, and her blood sugar leveled off-an unexpected but priceless lesson.Why Meal Timing Matters for DiabeticsA regular and consistent time of eating meals and snacks throughout the day is necessary in order to maintain constant levels of energy and blood sugar. This is more so for people with type 1 or any patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, using traditional insulin therapy or glucose-lowering drugs like sulfonylureas. Lack of meal or delay will result in low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which could present in patients with symptoms of shakiness, dizziness, and even fainting.When the blood sugar drops too low, it results in overeating later in the day that puts additional spikes into blood sugar. This roller-coaster effect, while uncomfortable, also poses grave danger in the long run. Regular interval intakes of meals help to combat such roller-coaster effects.Skipping of meals or snacks can also induce nocturnal hypoglycemia, the medical term for low blood sugar at night. This is particularly dangerous because you are not consciously aware of what's happening to your blood sugar while you sleep, making it challenging to correct during the day, leaving one feeling fatigued and low energy ahead.While diabetes patients do not have to struggle within one convenient shoe-size model of meal timing, the size and timing of meals are determined by individual's needs, lifestyle, and treatment program. Still, here are some general rules that will help maintain blood sugar levels.Is Breakfast Most Important Meal of the Day?That is why it has been termed as the most necessary meal of the day-especially for the diabetic. A well-balanced breakfast will neither only keep blood sugar at its normal levels but also keep you full for longer periods. Researchers have found that healthy breakfasts can reduce the need for insulin and decrease blood glucose at some point during the day especially among type 2 diabetics.On the other hand, skipping breakfast has been shown to be a causative element behind the later blood sugar spiking. A study on adults with type 1 diabetes revealed that skipping breakfast leads to higher blood sugar content in the afternoon and even at night that creates a vicious cycle of elevation of glucose. As for the type 2 diabetics, skipping breakfast can lead them to eat more than they need, resulting to weight gain, which only complicates their state of control of the sugars inside their body.Lunch and Dinner: What is the Right Time? Lunch and dinner are good carbohydrates time, with meals should be balanced. It's also a good idea to be around the same time each day, especially if you take insulin. A good schedule keeps the blood sugar from tanking or skyrocketing.Having an earlier dinner and, ideally, two hours or more before bedtime also helps better glucose control. Eating near bedtime, especially in the last two hours before sleeping, has been implicated as having worse blood sugar control and a higher risk of obesity. Having your meals earlier in the evening allows the body time to digest so that during sleep, you avoid dipping too low.To Snack or Not to Snack?Snacks are a lifesaver for many people with diabetes as they stabilize blood sugar levels between meals. Everyone with diabetes does not have to snack. Individuals with type 2 diabetes often are not told to take regular snacks since they are mostly not subject to having their blood sugars drop often. Use your body and your blood sugar readings to determine how you should snack.In some situations-including alcohol intake or exercise-there may be some advantage to consuming a snack to elevate blood sugar levels. For nocturnal hypoglycemia, having an evening snack can be a good preventive measure. It's best to have snacks that contain energy but are nutrient-dense and promote gradual release of energy rather than spiking the blood sugar.Best and Worst Foods for DiabetesWhen it comes to diabetes, what you eat is as important as when you eat. It's more about selecting foods that will help regulate blood sugar levels so they're smooth and not peaked. It will also keep the system full of nutrient-dense foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals with all the positive health outcomes.Best Foods for DiabeticsNutrient-dense foods are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and ideal for people with diabetes. These include:-Non starchy vegetables: Consider broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, and leafy greens. These are lower in carbohydrates and very rich in fiber.-Whole grains: Consider brown rice, quinoa, and barley. All these take a much longer time to digest hence will not cause sudden spikes in blood sugar.-Low protein: Skinless chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes. Protein maintains steady blood sugar, too, and also reduces hunger pangs.-Fruits. Among fruits, there are some with incredibly low contents of natural sugars. They have low GI and even higher fiber content, such as berries, apples, and pears.Limit or Avoid These FoodsNo food item is forbidden entirely. Though, there are a few foods, which should be limited in the diet:-Engulfing white bread, white rice, and pasta leads to an impressive surge in blood sugar. Alternatives are whole grains.-Foods with added sugars need to be taken only at limited instances, which include sweets, soft drinks, and certain processed snack items.- Canned soups, frozen meals, and processed snacks usually have a high sodium level, thus require moderation.When people are living with diabetes, there are foods and when they should be consumed. Controlling blood glucose can sometimes be a bit challenging, but it is easier to stick to a routine of eating and its nutritional content if done at fix times. Whether a person is just getting used to the diagnosis or refining his ongoing regimen, small alterations in diet and times of eating may differ drastically in health.