Food Pyramid

Once it is considered that following food pyramid can provide effective diabetes control and blood glucose management. But now food pyramid is considered as outdated method that is only suitable for healthy individual (non diabetic) not for diabetes.

Because for diabetics, carbohydrate plays a major role in blood glucose level, so it should not be consumed freely. "Food pyramid information is intended for non-diabetic who want to avoid diabetes". Still diabetic can continue reading the food pyramid for general information and in the following pages - diabetics diet and carb count can guide you correct diet planning.

Healthy food triangle or pyramid: This healthy food triangle or pyramid depict what to eat less and what to eat more, top of the pyramid has low area similarly fat & sweet should be eat less. Next bigger area contains milk, meat and other proteins, thus it can be eaten moderately. Finally the largest area is the base of the triangle it contains grains, nuts and other starches thus it can be eaten most.

Starches are bread, grains, cereal, pasta, and starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes. They provide carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Whole grain starches are healthier because they have more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Eat some starches at each meal. Eating starches is healthy for everyone except diabetics.

Examples for starch foods include: whole grain bread, pasta, corn, pretzels, potatoes, rice, crackers, cereal, tortillas, beans, yams, lentils.

Vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are low in carbohydrate.
Examples for vegetables include: lettuce, broccoli, vegetable juice, spinach, peppers, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, celery, chilies, greens, cabbage.

Fruits provide carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Examples for fruits include: apples, fruit juice, strawberries, dried fruit, grapefruit, bananas, raisins, oranges, watermelon, peaches, mango, guava, papaya, berries, and canned fruits.

Milk provides carbohydrate, protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Eat fat free or low fat milk, yogurt with low calories sweetener.

The meat and meat substitutes group includes meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, fish, and tofu. Eat small amounts of some of these foods each day. Meat and meat substitutes provide protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Examples of meat and meat substitutes include: chicken, beef, fish, canned tuna or other fish, eggs, peanut butter, tofu, cottage cheese, cheese, pork, lamb, turkey.

Limit the amount of fats and sweets you eat, they are not as nutritious as other foods. Fats have a lot of calories and sweets can be high in carbohydrate. Some contain saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol that increase your risk of heart disease. Limiting these foods will help you lose weight and keep your blood glucose and blood fats under control.

Examples of fats include: salad dressing, oil, cream cheese, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, avocado, olives, and bacon.

Examples of sweets include: cake, ice cream, pie, syrup, cookies, and doughnuts.

Alcoholic drinks have calories but no nutrients. If you have alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach, they can make your blood glucose level go too low. It also can raise your blood fats. If you want to have alcoholic drinks, talk with your doctor or diabetes teacher about how much to have.

Also, the Nutrition Facts label on food packages tells you how much of that food is in one serving.