How To Use The Food Pyramid With A Diabetic Diet

Chances are you probably first learned about the food pyramid in elementary school. It is a guide for maintaining a balanced and healthy diet. However, just as quickly as we learned it we seem to have forgotten it. Adults very rarely follow the food pyramid at all. However, for a diabetic, this can be an excellent tool.

In fact, there is a food pyramid designed specifically for diabetics. It is called the diabetes food pyramid. This pyramid is divided into six different food groups just like the regular food pyramid. The only difference between this pyramid and the regular food pyramid is that the diabetic one will combine foods together based on similar carbohydrate content. This is a great way to help you make food choices based on how they will affect your blood glucose levels.

For example, in a diabetes food pyramid, cheese is grouped together with meats instead of dairies, and is given a serving size equivalent to other proteins in the same group. Also, potatoes, corn, peas and other starchy vegetables are grouped with breads and grains because they have a similar effect on blood sugars.

Another difference with the diabetes food pyramid is in the serving sizes. This is especially true with breads and grains. In these categories, smaller portion sizes are recommended. If you’re looking to get a copy of the diabetic food pyramid, you can contact your dietitian, doctor or a diabetes educator.

Many diabetics swear by it when planning their meals. It is the perfect reference to use when sitting down and deciding what ingredients to purchase that week from the store to prepare your meals.

In conclusion, I’ve given you a simple guide on how to use a food pyramid with the diabetic diet to better control your blood sugars.

Recommended Reading

1. Free Foods In A Diabetic Diet - Free foods in a diabetic diet doesn't mean that somebody will donate food to you for nothing. What it actually...
2. Controlling Diabetes With Diet - All over the world, people suffer from diabetes and a large number of them experience sever diabetic related problems. Controlling...
3. Carbohydrate Counting Diet - Carbohydrates can affect blood glucose levels greatly. This is because the body converts them into sugar when it turns food...
4. Diabetes Low Carbohydrate Diet - Many physicians insist that those with diabetes follow a diabetes low carbohydrate diet. With this type of dietary plan, diabetic...
5. Vegan Diabetes Diet - Every day, people are becoming vegans and diabetics are no exception. In fact, many diabetics are now benefiting from the...