People newly diagnosed with diabetes can find meal planning confusing, observes the University of Idaho Extension. The Idaho Plate Method helps these individuals by supplying a visual guide for healthy eating. When using this technique, you eat normal, everyday foods and don't need to buy special diabetic items, but you structure your meals according to certain healthy principles.
History
Swedish dietitians originally designed a visual method to illustrate meal planning for people with diabetes, as noted by the University of Idaho Extension. A group of Idaho dietitians adapted this technique in the 1990s to meet nutritional standards recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. They called their design the Idaho Plate Method.
Features
The Idaho Plate Method website offers a colorful, two-sided handout for people with diabetes, featuring a nutrition guide, menu ideas, tips for blood sugar control and pictures of breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas. Plastic and paper place mats also are available, with one side showing a breakfast plate and the other side a plate suitable for lunch and dinner.
Structure
The program encourages improved distribution of carbohydrates over meals, better nutrition, a high intake of fiber and a lower intake of cholesterol and fat. It involves eating a variety of foods from five food groups as identified in the Idaho Plate Method. Each meal allows protein, nonstarchy vegetables and 45 grams of carbohydrates from starchy foods, fruit and dairy products. The plan provides about 1,400 calories per day.
Specifics
To use the Idaho Plate Method for lunch or dinner, begin with a 9-inch plate and stack your food an inch high. Fill half the plate with nonstarchy vegetables and a fourth of the plate with high-protein foods. The other fourth of the plate should contain three items: a portion of starchy foods, a small serving of fruit and a serving of dairy. Examples of nonstarchy vegetables include beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers and lettuce. Protein foods can include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese or nuts. Starchy foods include corn, lima beans, peas, potatoes, bread, cereal, pasta and rice. You may substitute dessert for fruit twice a week, according to the University of Idaho Extension, and you may substitute an additional starch in place of the fruit or dairy item.
Benefits
This technique is especially useful for people who feel overwhelmed with a recent diagnosis of diabetes, notes the Idaho Plate Method website. It is also useful for people who are too busy to spend a lot of time designing their own meal plans, and can help during stressful circumstances. In addition, the Idaho Plate Method is beneficial for diabetic patients who are not proficient in reading or who have cognitive difficulties.
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