Ninety to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation. It is most commonly seen in overweight people over the age of 40, but has recently become more prevalent in younger populations with the rise in obesity. Treatment for type 2 diabetes usually involves diet, exercise and oral medication. A healthy diet for type 2 diabetes should include balanced meals with a variety of foods from all of the food groups.
Diabetes Exchange Diet
The Diabetes Exchange Diet was developed by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. As a diabetic diet, its purpose is to teach you how to create healthy, balanced meals to control blood sugar and weight. The diet divides foods up into basic food groups based on similarities in nutrient composition. When following the diet, you eat a certain number of servings, or exchanges, from each of the food groups each day and foods within each food group can be exchanged for one another. For example, at breakfast, two egg whites can be exchanged for 1/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese.
Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid
The Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid is similar to the exchange diet, but is a more visual tool and may be easier to follow. It too divides foods up into basic food groups based on similar nutrient compositions. The Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid follows the basic principles of the old U.S. Department of Agriculture's food guide pyramid and encourages you to eat more foods found at the bottom of the pyramid and fewer foods from the top of the pyramid, creating a high fiber, nutrient-dense, low-fat diet. Serving suggestions from each food group are based on your individual weight goals and calorie needs.
Create Your Plate
Create Your Plate is a simple meal planning tool designed to teach you how to make better food choices and control portions. Create Your Plate does not require any measuring, but uses your dinner plate as a guide to control your intake. The dinner plate is first divided in half and then half is divided in half again to create three sections. Fill the largest section with low-calorie nonstarchy vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower. A small portion of lean meat, such as ham or fish, and a small portion of whole-grain starch, such as brown rice or roasted potatoes, go into the other two smaller sections. A cup of skim milk and a piece of fruit can be added to balance the meal.
