Diabetes Info

Food Pyramid for Diabetes

December 15th, 2007 | by admin |

The food pyramid, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a research-based food guide, which helps Americans make the right food choices for good health.

 

The American Diabetics Association has strongly recommended this pyramid for diabetics. The diabetes food pyramid is not the same as the USDA food pyramid. It has been slightly modified to suit the special needs of diabetics. It groups foods on the basis of its carbohydrate and protein content, and not as mere classifications of food..

 

The diabetes food pyramid has six sections. The base illustrates the largest and the most important variety of food, and the top illustrates the smallest and the least important variety of food. The food pyramid is just a guide and not a set of rigid diet rules. The amount of food intake depends on the age, size, number of calories the person has to take each day, and the person’s goals.

 

The base of the pyramid is the most important for the diabetic. It contains carbohydrate rich foods, such as oats, wheat, rice, rye, peas, potatoes, lentils, and beans. The diabetic is recommended to take at least six to eleven servings from this group of food.

 

The second and third sections give equal importance to vegetables and fruits, which are a great source of fiber, nutrients, and vitamins. A diabetic has to take three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruit per day.

 

The fourth section is reserved for diary products that are rich in calcium and other minerals. If you are a diabetic, take two to three servings of this food group per day.

 

The fifth section comprises meat and meat products, which satisfy the body’s protein needs. Low fat sources of protein, such as lean red meat, chicken, or fish, are recommended for diabetics.

 

The last section contains the smallest variety of food, which the diabetic has to shun. The fats, sweets, alcoholic beverages, candy, cakes, and ice cream are found here, and these should be taken only one in a while. Daily intake is an absolute no-no.

 

You can download the diabetic food pyramid, print it, and paste it to the kitchen wall. It will serve as your faithful guide to healthy eating.