Diabetes Food Pyramid helps to indulge in healthful eating habits that will help to keep your blood glucose within the desired range. Diabetes Food Pyramid guide is a true visual guide that helps you to identify the carbohydrates from the 6 food groups depicted in four levels. These levels are:

• Breads, grains and other starches
• Vegetables and fruits
• Milk and meat/meat substitutes
• Fats, oils and sweets

The objective of Diabetes Food Pyramid guide is to help you consumer more carbohydrates from the foods that form the lower bases of the pyramid, while reducing the consumption of the rest two upper levels. The Diabetes Food Pyramid classifies the foods based on their protein and carbohydrate contents. Check out to know more about the four levels of this food pyramid guide.

Diabetes Food Pyramid Level 1: Grains And Starches

The lower most layer, but the most vital layer of this Diabetes Food Pyramid, consists of starches and grains that are found in foods like pasta, potatoes, rice, corn, beans and peas. Try to include the whole grain variants for more benefits.

Recommended serving: 6 -11 servings per day

Diabetes Food Pyramid Level 2: Vegetables And Fruits

The most nutritious and low fat good items, veggies and fruits constitute the second layer of this food guide. One serving of raw vegetables is equivalent to 1 cup. Choose from leafy and green veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, lettuces etc.

Recommended serving: 3 - 5 servings per day

Even though fruits are equally good as veggies, the sugar present in them, fructose, can increase your sugar levels. But still you may enjoy them in restricted amounts.

Recommended serving: 2 - 4 servings per day

Diabetes Food Pyramid Level 3: Milk And Meat/Meat Substitutes

You may include skimmed milk and other dairy products to reap the calcium and protein present in them.

Recommended serving: 2-3 servings per day

Choose lean meats like lean beef, turkey, chicken and fish along with butter, low fat cheese, peanut butter and tofu as protein sources. 1 oz of beef or chicken serving will be about the same size as that of a card deck.

Recommended serving: 2-3 servings per day

Diabetes Food Pyramid Level 4: Fats, Oils And Sweets

The last and yes, the least important food that carry little nutritive values in them are the fats, sweets and oils. Avoid foods like cakes, chocolates, deep fried food items, crackers etc which are sources of these constituents.

Recommended serving: Eat as sparingly as possible, or the ideal way is to avoid them totally.

The Diabetes Food Pyramid is just a tool that will help you to determine your meal plan. Along with proper food intake as mentioned in the image above, follow the advice of your doctor, take regular medicines and indulge in sufficient physical activity to attain your goals faster.

Image Credit: diabetes.niddk.nih.gov