In January 2011, 25.8 million Americans of all ages -- 8.3 percent of the population -- had diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. A condition that affects the body's ability to use glucose for energy, diabetes may cause serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, circulatory disease, kidney disease and neurological disorders. Treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar levels through diet, exercise and medication as needed.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetics cannot use glucose efficiently for energy because of problems with production of the hormone called insulin. Type 1 diabetics, usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood, must take insulin injections because their bodies do not produce the hormone. Approximately 90 to 95 percent of adult diabetics have type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not use insulin efficiently, known as insulin resistance. The body gradually loses the ability to produce it.
Menu Planning Principles
Diabetic menu planning focuses on regulating blood sugar levels and managing weight. The American Diabetes Association recommends discussing your individual situation with your health care provider or dietitian, as the amount of calories, carbohydrates and other nutrients allowed each day will depend on your body weight, overall health, medications and activity level. With that information, you may choose among several menu planning approaches, including carbohydrate counting, following a published meal plan or using the create-your-plate method.
Create Your Plate Approach
The create-your-plate method controls your weight and your condition without weighing, measuring or counting, says the American Diabetes Association. Draw an imaginary line down the center of your plate. Fill one side with non-starchy vegetables such as salad greens, carrots or green beans. Divide the other half into thirds, filling one section with starchy food and another with meat, egg, tofu, fish or poultry. Complete your meal with one serving of dairy and another of fruit.
Counting Carbohydrates
Carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, pasta, fruit and sweets raise your blood sugar, so the ADA recommends limiting them to about 45 g to 60 g per meal. To count carbohydrates, review food labels carefully or consult an exchange list such as the one published on the ADA website to determine the serving size for various starchy foods.
Eating Well's 28-Day Plan
If you know the number of calories you should consume each day to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, you may choose one of the 28-day menu plans published on the eatingwell website. These plans emphasize healthy food choices and limit carbohydrates to 2.5 to 5 servings per meal and 1 to 2.5 servings per snack. The meals are also appropriate for non-diabetic family members.
References
- "TIME Magazine"; Diet and Diabetes: A Personalized Approach; Osama Hamdy, M.D.; Nov. 21, 2005
- "Diabetes Care;" Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes---2009; American Diabetes Association; January 2009
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Meal Plans
- EatingWell: Diabetic Meal Plan
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Statistics
- "Diabetes Care"; Nutrition Recommendations and Interventions for Diabetes; American Diabetes Association; January 2008
