In the past, diets for people with diabetes were very restrictive. Things are different now. There isn’t a one-size fits all diabetes diet. While you may need to make some changes in what and how much you eat, you have flexibility in deciding what’s on the menu. With a little planning, you can still include your favorite foods. 1  Eating a variety of foods, including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy foods, healthy fats, and lean meats or meat substitutes. 2  Trying not to eat too much food.  Trying not to eat too much of one type of food.