Diabetic Food Pyramid

In recent years, specialists in the area of nutrition have determined the need to create what they refer to as the “Diabetic Food Pyramid”. This is much like the standard food pyramid that we are all accustomed to. However, this particular food pyramid works to customize the foods that are consumed by the individual that has diabetes. There are six different groups when it comes to this particular food pyramid. If you have diabetes, or know someone who suffers from the effects of this particular medical condition, it is important that you learn as much as you possibly can. Here, I will break down the diabetic food pyramid so that you may gain a good understanding of it.

The first thing that you should understand about this food pyramid for diabetes is that the very bottom group represents the group that you should focus on the most when you have this medical condition. That group consists of “Grains, Beans, & Starchy Vegetables”. It contains foods that are relatively high in the ingredient of carbohydrates. According to the structure suggested in this particular outline, if you have diabetes, then you should consume anywhere from six to eleven different servings a day. Foods in this section include items like:

• Breads

• Various types of rice

• Cereals

• Pasta

The next level shows two sections, “Vegetables” and “Fruits”. If you look carefully, you will find that the “Vegetables” section is a bit larger than that of “Fruits”. As a diabetic, it is important that you consume foods from both sections on this level. You should consume approximately three to five servings each and every single day of the vegetables category, and two to four different servings of fruits daily. These substances are found to be relatively high in carbohydrates, small amounts of sugar that the body requires a lot of fiber, and plenty of vitamins. Furthermore, you can benefit from the minerals and the protein of this layer of the diabetic food pyramid.

Next, we have the layer that contains the section called “Milk” and “Meat & Others”. If you look at this layer, you will see that the section of “Meat & Others” is a bit larger than that of “Milk”. When it comes to milk, you should have about two to three servings a day, however, with meats, you should consume about four to six ounces a day. This section allows for the following foods:

• Lean meats like chicken and turkey

• Milk that is fat free, or “skim”

• Yogurts that are sugar free and fat free

• Peanut Butter

• Various types of fish

• Cheeses, like cottage cheese

While this details examples of the foods that can be consumed while following this particular food pyramid, it does not detail all the foods that can be consumed.

The very top section of the diabetic food pyramid is called “Fats, Sweets, & Alcohol”. There is actually no daily serving suggestion based on this particular model, but there are specifications on individual amounts, or lack thereof. The foods that make up this section of the food pyramid actually contain a very large amount of sugar and can be extremely dangerous to your health if you are a diabetic. You should take special care in ensuring that you avoid these items as much as possible. These items include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Chips

• Candy

• Alcohol

• Foods that are fried

• Cakes

• Muffins

• Cookies

• And, more!

It is important that you understand that an occasional “sweet” may be appropriate. However, it is important that you check with your doctor before indulging in these items to ensure that they do not pose a potential health risk.

Now, you have been introduced to the food pyramid concept that is acceptable for and geared towards diabetics. If you want to learn more about the diabetic food pyramid, be sure to consult a medical professional or a specialist in nutrition.