Ninety to 95 percent of those with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, according to the International Federation of Diabetes. Most people with type 2 diabetes do not need to give themselves insulin injections. Instead, they manage their blood sugar through a combination of diet, exercise and oral medication. The American Diabetes Association, or ADA, offers a number of diet suggestions to help those with type 2 diabetes manage their sugars.
About the ADA
The American Diabetes Association is a nonprofit organization designed to educate people affected with diabetes. The ADA also funds and promotes research to find a cure and better methods of treatment for this chronic illness. Additionally, the ADA aims to improve clinical treatment for diabetes by providing guidelines to help health care professionals manage the illness in their patients.
Carbohydrate Counting Diet
The carbohydrate counting diet is one of the diets recommended by the ADA. Carbohydrates are a macronutrient found in foods that raise blood sugar. Controlling the amount of carbohydrate you eat at each meal and throughout the day can help you better control your blood sugars. The amount of carbohydrate you need depends on your blood sugars and calorie needs. However, the ADA suggests you can start at 45 to 60 g of carbohydrate for each meal.
The Exchange Diet
The ADA worked with the American Dietetic Association in the development of the exchange diet. Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, and losing weight can help improve your blood sugars. In addition to helping with blood sugar control, the exchange diet helps control calorie intake to promote a healthy weight. On the exchange diet, you eat a certain number of servings from each of the food groups based on your daily calorie needs and food preferences. The exchange diet is more restrictive than the carbohydrate counting diet.
Create Your Plate
Of all the meal plans recommended for type 2 diabetes, ADA's Create Your Plate is the easiest to follow. It works by helping you control portions using your plate. On the Create Your Plate plan you divide your plate in half, then divide one half in half again to create three sections. To control calories, fill the largest half of the plate with vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, green beans or carrots. Fill one of the smaller sections with a serving of starch, such as potatoes, brown rice or whole wheat pasta. Fill the other smaller section with a serving of lean protein such as chicken or fish. To help you control calories, be sure to use a smaller, 9-inch plate. To round out your meals, add a tossed salad and a piece of fruit or a cup of milk.
