Diabetes is a chronic illness resulting from problems with the production and supply of insulin, leading to elevated blood sugars. Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, along with medication play important roles in helping you manage your diabetes. A healthy diet for someone with diabetes should be nutrient-rich and low in fat. Consult with a doctor or dietitian to determine the right diet for you.
Diabetes Exchange Diet
The diabetes exchange diet is a low-fat calorie-controlled meal planning guide designed by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. On the diabetes exchange diet, foods are grouped together based on similarities in calorie, carbohydrate, protein and fat content. It is the most structured of all the meal plans for diabetes, providing specific recommendations on what to eat from each of the food groups. Foods within each group can be exchanged for one another when meal planning. For example at breakfast, a slice of toast can be exchanged for a 3/4 cup serving of whole-grain cereal. As a low-fat meal plan, the diabetes exchange diet encourages you to choose lean meats and low-fat dairy foods, in addition to limiting your intake of fats.
Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid
The diabetes food guide pyramid is a visual eating guide designed to teach you how to make smart and healthy food choices. It too divides foods into groups based on similarities in nutrient composition. The diabetes food guide pyramid meal plan is low in fat and high in fiber, encouraging you to eat more foods from the bottom of the pyramid, including whole-grains, fruits and vegetables and fewer foods from the top of the pyramid, including fats and sweets. Daily servings from each food group are based on your calorie needs and blood sugar goals. In addition to limiting total fat intake, the diabetes food guide pyramid also encourages you to choose leaner meats and low-fat dairy products.
Create Your Plate
Create your plate is a simple diabetic meal planning technique designed to help you manage your blood sugars through portion control. The diet does not require you to do any counting or measuring. It teaches you how to control portions with your dinner plate. To begin, divide your plate in half, and then divide one half in half again. When plating your meals, fill the largest section with naturally low-calorie and low-fat non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflower. Fill one of the smaller sections with a serving of lean meat, such as skinless chicken or fish, and fill the other small section with a serving of low-fat starch, such as couscous or brown rice. To balance the meal, add a glass of skim milk and a piece of fresh fruit.
