According to the American Diabetes Association in 2012 approximately 29.1 million Americans were living with diabetes mellitus. (1) Diabetes is a complex mix of symptoms and there are multiple types of diabetes. The most common categories are pre-diabetes, type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is either idiopathic (we don’t know the cause) or an autoimmune situation where the beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system and then do not produce insulin. This person will need to rely on dosing insulin into their body through any variety of options available that are available.
There are a variety of possible healthy eating patterns with type 1 diabetes. The most important thing to remember is to count the grams of carbohydrates and match it to the insulin dose the doctor has prescribed to you, this way you avoid a hypo or hyperglycemic event that could be life threatening.
Pre-diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and eventually leads to insulin resistance and the destruction of beta cells and the eventual diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. With pre-diabetes or type two diabetes it is important to achieve the recommended weight, get enough sleep, meet physical activity goals and eat a nutrient dense balanced diet that provides the appropriate amount of calories.
The Idaho plate method provides a great guide for how to set up a meal balanced in all food groups. ½ of your meal should consist of vegetables, ¼ of your meal should be whole grains, ¼ of your meal should be meat/protein and ½ cup of fruit and 1 cup of milk. (3)(4)
Pasting a label on which type of diabetes you have is far less important than treating the specific needs your body has, following healthful guidelines and participating in on-going treatment with your doctor and healthcare providers. (2)
Sources
1. Statistics About Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved June 06, 2017, from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/
2.How does MyPlate Compare to the Idaho Plate Method? (Dining With Diabetes). (2011, July 15). Retrieved June 06, 2017, from http://extension.psu.edu/health/diabetes/news/2011/how-does-myplate-compare-to-the-idaho-plate-method
3. (n.d.). Retrieved June 06, 2017, from http://platemethod.com/index.html
4. Association, A. D. (2014, January 01). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2014. Retrieved June 06, 2017, from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/37/Supplement_1/S14