Using the Food Pyramid in Diabetic Diets

In grade school everyone was taught the food pyramid and the different food groups that
make it up.  It is recommended for a balanced and healthy diet to vary your diet and
follow the food serving suggestions from the pyramid.  As adults, people rarely pay as
much heed to it if any at all.  But once you have been diagnosed with diabetes it is time to
take a refresher course on the different food groups.

There is a food pyramid that is available specifically for diabetics known as the Diabetes
Food Pyramid.  It is divided into six food groups just like the standard version.  The way
the two pyramids differ is that the diabetic version lists foods together that have the same
or similar carbohydrate content instead of the regular version that does it by food groups
alone.  This lay out makes it easier for diabetics to make food choices based on
information that can have a negative impact on blood glucose levels.

Some of the differences you will notice are that cheese is placed in the meat group
instead of the dairy group as a protein and the serving size will be equivalent to other
proteins in the same group.  You will find starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn in
the bread and grains section because they act in a similar manner by raising blood sugars.

Another difference is the actual serving sizes, especially in the bread and grains group.  A
diabetic has to monitor the carbohydrate intake at each meal and it has been found that
smaller portion sizes are a good way to manage this.

You can get a copy of the Diabetic Food Pyramid from your dietician, doctor, or diabetes
educator.  It is a good reference material to have on hand when you are planning your
meals.

The Glycemic Index and Diabetic Diets

The glycemic index diet is one that many diabetics find useful.  The diet is based on
assigning foods a ranking that indicates that food’s effect on blood sugar levels.  This can
be a valuable tool for diabetics, especially ones that have been newly diagnosed as it can
take some of the guess work out of meal planning and what foods to eat.

The glycemic index (GI) diet indicates foods that have a low GI value meaning they will
take a longer time to have an affect on blood sugars and ones that have a higher value –
they will act quicker to raise blood sugars.  A diabetic is still going to have to use another
means to decide what foods to eat though – such as the food pyramid or an exchange list
as not all items on the GI diet are as healthy as they could be.  Meaning a food that has a
low index does not mean it is a better choice for you than some foods that are on the
higher end of the scale.

Using the GI diet as your sole source of meal planning is not recommended not only
because the values are not indicative of the healthiest choice but also because not all
foods are listed.  If you are basing your diet on this method and want to add other foods
that do not have GI rating you are not going to be able to properly plan.  Until more
information is researched on the diet or it is made more comprehensive it should be used
with an approved diet for diabetics such as the exchange diet or the carbohydrate
counting diet.

If you want more information on how to incorporate the GI diet with your current meal
plan, consult with your dietician or a diabetes educator.

Diabetic Diets – Consistency and Variety

It may sound like a hard thing to do – be consistent and have variety in your diet at the
same time.  But it is possible and it is the best way to control your diabetes with your
diet.  The consistency comes in at specific meal times and the same servings from the
different food groups.  And the variety refers to trying as many different foods in the food
groups as you can.

It can be easy to find a few meals that work well with your blood sugars and are easy to
prepare and just stick with them.  You are more than likely to get bored with this and you
probably aren’t getting all of the nutrients you need from a set amount of foods.

Whether you are on the carbohydrate counting diet or the exchange diet, you have a lot of
room for flexibility.  You can combine different foods together for something new or try
foods you have never had before.  You can meet with your dietician to get additional
ideas for recipes and other foods that you can eat to add more variety to your diet.

There will be times that you try a new food and your blood sugars are higher as a result.
Think back about anything else that you had done differently that day – less activity or
taking your insulin later than usual.  If the new food is the only change you experienced
talk to your dietician.  You may be able to prepare the food differently or eat it with
something else or you may have to avoid that food if it doesn’t work for your diabetic
diet.

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean that you can’ be adventurous and try
something new, just do it at regular meal times and within the recommended portion
sizes.