There are several ways to choose healthy foods including:
The USDA Food Guide shows the number of servings and amounts of food to consume from basic food groups to meet recommended nutrient intakes at 12 different calorie levels. The appropriate number of servings to consume should be determined by the healthcare provider along with the person who has diabetes based on the person’s nutrient needs and physical activity.
USDA MyPyramid: Many diabetes meal plans have been based on eating the recommended number of servings from MyPyramid. The USDA MyPyramid still appears on many food labels.
Diabetes Food Pyramid: The Diabetes Food Pyramid from the American Diabetes Association is often used to plan meals for people with diabetes. It is similar to the USDA MyPyramid but has these differences:
Starchy vegetables are in the Grain Group rather than the Vegetable Group because they contain more carbohydrate.
Dried peas and beans are also in the base of the pyramid rather than in the Meat and Beans Group.
“Fats, Sweets and Alcohol” are at the tip of the Diabetes Pyramid; “Fats, Oils and Sweets” are now discretionary calories in MyPyramid.
Exchange Lists for Meal Planning: The Exchange Lists for Meal Planning from the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association is used by people with diabetes to plan meals and snacks.
Plate Method: The plate method is often used to help people with diabetes meal planning. The plate usually has ½ plate vegetables, ¼ bread/starch/grain and ¼ plate meat/protein. Milk and fruit are on the side.
Carbohydrate Counting: Carbohydrate counting is the newest type of diabetes meal planning. Because carbohydrates raise blood glucose more than protein or carbohydrate, counting carbohydrate helps keeping blood glucose from going too high or too low. The daily amount of carbohydrate is based on the person’s needs. The daily total carbohydrate is divided into amounts to be eaten at meals and snacks.
Carbohydrate foods include starchy foods, such as bread, cereal, rice, pasta and starchy vegetables; fruit; milk; and sugars. Fruit sugar is called fructose; milk sugar is lactose; and table sugar is sucrose. Foods with equal amounts of carbohydrate can be substituted for one another. All will raise the blood glucose the same amount. Are you surprised by some of the foods that contain carbohydrate?
It’s OK to eat some sweets if they fit with a person’s individual diabetes and nutrition goals. Sugar and sweets may be substituted for other carbohydrates in the meal plan. It’s important to remember that some foods have more nutrients than others. For example, the amount of carbohydrate is the same for a small cookie and an orange, but the orange has many more important nutrients, such as vitamin C, potassium and fiber.
Food label Nutrition Facts provide nutrition information, including the amount of carbohydrate in foods. When planning meals using the carbohydrate counting method, look at the carbohydrate content rather than the sugar. The total carbohydrate is the important part. Sugars are part of the total amount of carbohydrate. For example, for a food with 42 g carbohydrate and 6 g sugar, the sugar is included in the 42 g carbohydrate.
Booklets that show how to use carbohydrate counting to plan meals and snacks are available from the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association.
A registered dietitian (R.D.) is the health care professional who can give dietary guidance on choosing foods based on a person’s nutrient needs, age, physical activity and food preferences. Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) are health professionals who are certified to teach self-care to people with diabetes.
Think and review:
What are some of the healthy eating resources people with diabetes can use to plan meals and snacks? Do you think these healthy eating guides could be used to plan meals and snacks for the entire family? Why or why not?
Who is the health care professional who can help people with diabetes choose meals and snacks?
Do you know anyone who is a registered dietitian?
The American Diabetes Association has offices in many of the nation’s larger cities. Other places you can find diabetes information include hospitals, health units, doctors’ offices, health clinics, libraries, pharmacies, etc.
Think and review: Name some of the places in your town where you might find information on diabetes. (Make a list of local community agencies with diabetes information including agency names, addresses and phone numbers.)
Let’s review some of the major points about diabetes with these questions:
What are the two main types of diabetes? (type 1 and type 2)
Name some symptoms of diabetes. (Increased thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, weight loss [especially type 1], tiredness, dry, itchy skin, wounds that don’t heal, etc.)
What should you do if you, a family member or friend has any of these symptoms? (Make an appointment with a physician.)
What type of diabetes is increasing in children and youth? (Type 2)
Which type of diabetes may possibly be prevented or delayed? (Type 2)
Name some things you can do to possibly prevent type 2 diabetes and other health problems). (Eat nutritious meals and snacks, get plenty of physical activity and watch less TV.)
References:
Evidence-Based Nutrition Principles and Recommendations for the Treatment and Prevention of Diabetes and Related Complications. Report of the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Care American Diabetes Association Diabetes Care 25:S50-S60, 2002
National Diabetes Statistics NIH Publication No. 03-3892. May 2003 National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse 1 Information Way. Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
American Diabetes Association Care of Children with Diabetes in the School and Day Care Setting Diabetes Care 23, Supplement 1, ADA Clinical Practice Recommendations 2000.
American Diabetes Association Consensus Statement 2000 Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents Diabetes Care 23(3):381
Web Site Assignments:
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/ - Find out more about diabetes, including the latest research in diabetes.
http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp - Learn more about the American Diabetes Association and the educational materials available from them. Complete the Take the Risk test.
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/- Find the answers to children's questions about diabetes.
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/health_risks.htm - - Read about the health risks of being overweight.
www.geocities.com/hotsprings/6935 - Look at an illustrated explanation of diabetes.
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/- Calculate your body mass index (BMI). A BMI higher than 25 increases your risk for developing diabetes.
Other Assignments:
1. Obtain brochures and publications from the American Diabetes Association. Call 1-800-DIABETES or http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp.