Diabetics Ahead on New Diet Guidelines
Are individuals with diabetes way ahead of the game when it comes to their daily diet?
The new 2005 dietary guidelines for Americans by the United States Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services were recently published. The guidelines encourage us to take responsibility for our health by promoting a healthy diet and an increase in our daily physical activity. This is the same message people with diabetes have been hearing for years.
These guidelines, more than ever before promote good nutrition by recognizing its important role in our health. As dietitians and diabetes educators we think most individuals with diabetes have all along been aware of the influence of diet on health and blood sugar control. In fact, most of you have already incorporated some of the guidelines into your daily diet, by making good choices as much of the time as possible. Lowering fat intake, especially saturated fat has always been emphasized. Choosing and preparing foods with less salt and limiting sugar intake is a given. Using complex carbohydrates and high fiber foods to lower post-meal blood sugars is something that has been around for years. And maintaining a healthy weight has always been the cornerstone of treatment especially in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. So maybe, just maybe, some of you have been eating healthy all along and have a jump start on the recommendation to make wiser food choices.
Here is a summary of the 2005 United States Dietary Guidelines:
Grains (6-11 servings)
Fruits (2-4 servings)
Vegetables (3-5 servings)
Protein (2-3 servings)
Dairy (2-3 servings)
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