Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugars. Diet plays an important role in the management of blood sugars. People with diabetes do not need to eat special foods, but are encouraged to follow a healthy diet, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. Safe diets for diabetics include the carbohydrate counting diet, the food guide pyramid for diabetics and the diabetes exchange diet. These diets offer a variety of food choices while still controlling blood sugar. Consult with a physician before starting a diet program.
Carbohydrate Counting
Foods containing carbohydrates, such as starches, milk and fruits, cause blood sugars to rise. The carbohydrate counting diet for diabetics controls the amount of carbohydrate consumed at each meal to aid in blood sugar control. The amount of carbohydrate depends on blood sugars and medications, according to the American Diabetes Association, but people generally start with 45 to 60 g at each meal. Grams of carbohydrate are counted based on usual serving sizes, for example a slice of bread has 15 g of carbohydrate, or by using food labels. Protein foods and fats do not contain carbohydrate but are recommended at each meal for balance, says the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid
The diabetes food guide pyramid is a meal planning tool that focuses on healthy eating. It is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food guide pyramid but foods are grouped based on carbohydrate, fat and calorie content. For example, cheese is grouped with meat and meat substitutes instead of dairy foods because it contains more protein and fat and very little carbohydrate like meat. The diabetes food pyramid encourages people with diabetes to eat more foods from the bottom of the pyramid, including starches, fruits and vegetables, and limit their intake of foods from the top of the pyramid, fats and sweets. Serving suggestions from each food group are based on a person's sex, weight goals and activity level.
Diabetes Exchange Diet
The diabetes exchange diet was developed by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. Foods are divided up into basic groups, including starch, fruit, milk, vegetable, meat and meat substitute, and fat. A serving in each group contains the same amount of calories and carbohydrate, and foods within each group can be exchanged for one another. For example a small apple can be exchanged for a 4 oz. banana or 2 tbsp. of raisins. A doctor or dietitian can help determine the number of exchanges from each group.
