The Typical American Diabetic Diet
 Over 1 million people are diagnosed with diabetes in the United States every year, and the disease claims 200,000 lives each year as well. Even though diabetes is a common condition, there is no cure, and in order to avoid developing the disease, it is important to take a proactive role in your diabetes health.
Diet is one of the easiest ways to influence your blood sugar levels, and many health care providers suggest that sufferers adopt an American diabetic diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels in a natural way. The typical American diabetic diet requires between 1,200 and 2,000 calories depending on the severity of your condition, your current weight, gender, your daily activity level, and a variety of other factors.
Depending on the factors mentioned above, the recommended American diabetic diet often contains daily amounts of:
- 6-10 servings of starches. Starches include foods like
- Bread
- Pasta
- Corn
- Cereal
- Crackers
- Potatoes
- Rice
- Beans
- Much more
- 2-4 servings each of fresh fruits and vegetables. These may include:
- Lettuce
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Vegetable juice
- Apples
- Dried fruits
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Fruit juice
- Canned fruit
- Much more
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- 2 servings of milk. This includes:
- Skim or low-fat milk
- Low-fat or no-fat yogurt
- 4-7 oz. of meats (proteins). Including:
- Skinless poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.)
- Lean beef
- Pork
- Cheese
- Peanut butter
- Fish
- Much more
- Up to, but not exceeding, 5 servings of fats or sweets, such as:
- Salad dressings
- Oils
- Butter and margarine
- Mayonnaise
- Bacon
- Cake
- Ice cream
- Cookies
- Candies
- Much more
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These serving recommendations may change based on your condition and how well you are managing your blood sugar through means outside the American diabetic diet. One of the most consistent recommendations is that people with diabetes eat lean, skinless meats and fish, and that they cut out many fats from their diets. It is also considered important not to skip meals and to time your meals carefully for the best results.
If you have more questions about the American diabetic diet or you are concerned about your blood sugar levels or diabetic health, consult with a health care professional that is experienced in this area for more diabetes diet information and to develop an American diabetic diet that works best for you. |
