Diabetes Information and Treatment Guide | Diabetes Food Pyramid

Diabetes Food Pyramid - A Brief Overview

04.22.2008 by Dr John Anne in Diabetes Diet

Bookmark this post -

Diabetes Food Pyramid was designed by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. Unlike theDiabetic Food Guide Pyramid USDA Food Guide Pyramid, diabetic food pyramid guide you with group of foods based on their carbohydrate and protein content because these foods affect blood glucose levels, which is indeed the primary concern to people with diabetes. You may find differences like potatoes and other starchy vegetables in the grains, beans and starchy vegetables group instead of the vegetables group, cheese is in the meat group instead of the milk group

The pyramid is divided into sections. Each section consists of a food group. The sections take up more surface area at the bottom of the pyramid and get less and less until the top. This relative surface area is a representation of the importance of each food group in a healthy diet.

Fats and Sweets

Diabetics should eat less fats and sweets. Saturated fats found in animal products such as hamburger, cheese, bacon and butter should especially be avoided. When you eat sweets, such as ice cream or muffin, make them apart of your healthy diabetic diet, not as an extra.

Grains and Starches

At the base of the pyramid are bread, cereal, rice, and pasta. These foods contain mostly carbohydrates. The foods in this group are made mostly of grains, such as wheat, rye, and oats. Starchy vegetables like potatoes, peas, and corn also belong to this group, along with dry beans such as black eyed peas and pinto beans. Starchy vegetables and beans are in this group because they have about as much carbohydrate in one serving as a slice of bread. So, you should count them as carbohydrates for your meal plan.

Fruits

Diabetics should have 2 to 4 servings of fruits per day. Most dietitians recommend consuming whole fruits rather than juices because of the fiber contained. Be careful to select fruits and fruit juices that don’t have any sweeteners or syrups added. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit and tangerines, should be an essential part of your fruit intake.

Milk/Dairy:

Milk, yogurt, sugar-free cocoa. Cheese does not qualify in this category.
1 milk exchange equals: 12 grams of carbohydrate, 8 grams of protein, 0-8 grams of fat, 90-150 calories.

Fats and oils:

Fats and oils are divided into several groups:

Monosaturated fats, such as canola oil, olives, nuts, sesame seeds, etc.
Polyunsaturated fats, such as reduced fat margarine, mayonnaise, creamers, etc.
Saturated fats, such as bacon/bacon grease, butter, coconut, cream cheese, etc.
1 fat exchange equals: 0 grams of carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, 45 calories.

Beans, Eggs, Lean Meat and Fish

Meat, poultry and fish supply protein, iron and zinc. Non-meat foods such as dried peas and beans also provide many of these nutrients. The diabetes food pyramid suggests 2 to 3 servings of cooked meat, fish or poultry. Each serving should be between 2 and 3 ounces. The following foods count as one ounce of meat:

•    One egg
•    2 tablespoons of peanut butter
•    1/2 cup cooked dry beans
•    1/3 cup of nuts

Avoid frying these foods. Moderation is the watchword when it comes to nuts because they are high in fat.

Please share your comments below-