Using the diabetes food pyramid for blood sugar control can seem daunting but may offer some help in understanding what foods to eat when you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Understanding which foods to eat and what to avoid is especially difficult for individuals who are newly diagnosed with diabetes. Some patients use portion size and others count carbohydrates to maintain glucose control. Using the diabetes food pyramid is a tool developed by the American Diabetes Association that may simplify eating for some, though it is less popular. A consult with a dietitian is always recommended and the following is merely an introductory guideline that introduces the concept of the diabetes food pyramid.
Food is divided into six groups. At the bottom of the stack or diabetes food pyramid are foods that should be eaten in the largest portions. At the top are those that should be lightly consumed. Foods are eaten depending on your individual calorie and activity needs and should be customized for each patient.
From Top to Bottom of Diabetes food pyramid :
- The top of the food pyramid consists of sweets and fatty food and are the most limited.
- Meat and meat substitutes and dairy are second and third to the top.
- Vegetables and fruit are in the next two tiers of the diabetes food pyramid.
- At the bottom of the diabetes food pyramid – the foods that are beneficial for diabetes – are grains, beans and starchy vegetables such as potatoes, peas and corn. Included are dry beans such as pintos and black eyed peas that have the same amount of carbohydrate as one slice of bread. Grains, starches and vegetables constitute the top two tiers of the diabetic food pyramid.
- There are six tiers to the diabetes food pyramid as described above.
From Bottom to Top of Diabetes food pyramid :
Diabetics should choose 6 to 11 foods from the bottom of the diabetes food pyramid daily, again depending on your individual needs that should be discussed in detail with your healthcare provider or a dietician. Grains to eat are oats, rye and wheat products. Always avoid anything with white flour. Starchy vegetables are included – corn, beans, peas, potatoes and dried beans that are considered carbohydrates. Examples of serving size is 1 slice of bread, 1/3 cup of brown rice or wheat pasta, ½ cup of cooked oatmeal, ¼ of a bagel or ½ of an English muffin or pita bread or 2/4 cup of dry cereal.
Eat vegetables with every meal that are on the next level of the diabetic food pyramid. Remember the pyramid starts from the bottom and goes up. Vegetables can also be used as a snack for individuals with diabetes. Non-starchy vegetables that are not counted as carbohydrates and can be eaten for snacks and at every meal include spinach, chicory, sorrel, Swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and lettuce, as stated by the American Diabetes Association. Eat one cup of raw vegetables or ½ cup of cooked, 3 to 5 servings a day.
Fruit servings contain carbohydrates and are next on the diabetes food pyramid. Recommendations are 2 to 4 servings daily – ½ cup of canned fruit, 1 small piece of fresh fruit, 2 tablespoons of dried fruit, 1 cup of berries or 1 ¼ cup of fresh strawberries.
Two to three servings of dairy products from the diabetes food pyramid that come next are recommended each day. Dairy contains protein, calcium and beneficial vitamins and minerals. Include one cup of non fat or low fat milk or one cup of yogurt.
Meat and meat substitutes are next on the diabetes food pyramid and include protein sources such as tofu, peanut butter, cottage cheese and eggs. Divide protein from meat and other sources into 4 to 6 servings daily. Sizes are one tablespoon of peanut butter, one ounce of meat, one egg, ½ cup of tofu, or ¼ cup of cottage cheese.
Fats oils and sweets are at the very top of the diabetes food pyramid. These foods should be reserved as a treat and limited in quantity. Fried foods and fatty foods provide little nutrition needed by diabetic to maintain energy. Examples include 2 small cookies, ½ cup of ice cream, or one small cupcake or muffin.
Your doctor may give you specific eating guidelines and the diabetes food pyramid is just one way to manage your diabetic diet. Some diabetics use portion size alone and others learn how to count carbohydrates to control food intake. The diabetic food pyramid may be easier to understand for others. Each diabetic diet must be tailored to individual needs based on weight and activity levels and daily calories needs and must be guided by a physician. The food pyramid for diabetes is a tool meant to be used as a general guideline to help manage glucose control.
References:
American Diabetes Association
NIH
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002440.htm
