Diabetic Diet Food Pyramid
For many diabetics, they must follow a diabetes food pyramid which literally divides foods into six groups. The largest group are grains, beans and starchy vegetables which is at the bottom of the pyramid. So, the largest the group, the more servings people should eat than any other foods. The smallest group on the top are fats, sweets and alcohol. These should be the less consumed by a diabetic.
The pyramid is helpful because it gives a range of servings for each group. If you eat the minimum servings, that’s 1,600 calories. If you eat at the upper end of servings, you eat around 2,800 calories. The exact number of servings depends on the diabetic goals, calorie and nutrition needs of a person and what kind of lifestyle and foods they want to eat.
The Diabetes Diet Food Pyramid also is different when compared to the USDA Food Guide Pyramid because it groups foods based on the carbohydrate and protein content, while the latter classifies their sections by foods. Examples would be finding potatoes in the grain section than the vegetable section. Cheese in the meat group and not have its own milk group. These are among the differences between the two pyramids.
Starches and Grains
When you were younger, you heard about the food groups that people should consume for their health. A diabetic diet plan features foods based on carbohydrates and protein, so one word that is often used in diabetic diet plans are starches or starchy foods.
An example of foods with starches are breads, cereals, rice and pasta. What you want to have are not white bread, white rice or pasta but food that incorporates whole wheat grains. So, wheat, rye and oats are very good for the body as well as starchy vegetables such as peas, corn, potatoes and beans.
Vegetables and Fruits
For anyone, we have heard that vegetables and fruits are healthy and it is the same with the diabetic diet plan. Instead of snacking on a candy bar or caramel pop corn, snack on vegetables or fruit. Vegetables that are full of fiver, vitamins and minerals such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, cauliflower and several others. Again, starchy vegetables such as corn, potatoes, peas and beans are good for you as well.
Fruits also contain carbohydrates and also important to the diabetic diet plan because fruit has loads of vitamins, minerals and fiber. So, fruits such as oranges, apples, bananas, grapes, pears, peaches, strawberries, cantaloupe, apricots and several others are good for the body.
Calcium
Calcium is good for your bones and instead of going with milk that is full of fat, there are nonfat to low-fat dairy products available. From milk, cheese, yogurt and even butter and the good news is that these low-fat to no-fat alternatives are quite tasty as well.
Meats, Fish, Chicken or Turkey
It is a misconception that diabetics must forego eating their favorite meats but the truth is they can eat them as long as they practice moderation. Meat, fish, chicken or turkey are important in the diabetic diet plan because they contain vitamins, minerals and protein. And the good news is that you can look for lean meats that do not contain fat and also if you do want to eat any of these, keep portions small and practice moderation.
By following a diabetic diet plan, you will notice more energy, a better and strong immune system and a healthier lifestyle. It’s all about eating the right foods, practicing moderation and sticking to your diet.
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