The American Diabetic Diet Plan was developed by the American Diabetes Association and Dietetic Association. It is hinged on the principle of following a system of food exchanges in planning a diabetic meal, so that the affective treatment of diabetes may be achieved. With the Diabetic Diet Plan, patients could easily keep their sugar level within a safe, acceptable range. This particular diet plan determines the appropriate portion sizes of meats, bread, vegetables and fruits that diabetics are allowed to consume in one meal.
American Diabetic Exchange Diet Plan
The exchange diet entails careful selection of food types and their corresponding portion sizes.
Foods are grouped into 8 basic types:
- Starches. An ounce of bagel or 2 – 3 slices of bread, for example.
- Fruits. 4 ounces of an apple or of apricots are acceptable.
- Milk and yogurt. Only a cup of buttermilk or 2/3 cup of yogurt is suitable.
- Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates. 1 can of soda or 1 cup of any sports drink.
- Non-starchy vegetables. 1.5 cups of cooked veggies or 3 cups of raw veggies is acceptable.
- Meat and meat substitutes. 1 ounce of cheese or ½ ounce of beef jerky is good enough
- Fats.6 pieces of almonds or 2 tablespoons of avocado is acceptable.
- Free food. Unsweetened coffee, diet soda and club soda are suitable beverages.
Diet Plans For Diabetic Patients
Each food group has a prescribed amount of food in parallel with the amount of calories, carbohydrates and nutrients that a diabetic needs in each meal. The exchange list is available online from the American Diabetes Association website.
People suffering from diabetes must have a dietician by their side when they are writing their meal plan. The dietician will determine the appropriate and accurate amount of exchanges needed by a diabetic. By working hand in hand, the patient and the dietician could come up with an ideal meal plan that helps control the blood sugar level.
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