Diabetes mellitus is due to an excess level of sugar in the blood. Also known as sugar diabetes, diabetes mellitus is very common and tends to run in families. The disease affects millions of Americans because of poor diet and because most Americans are not aware of how to control their blood sugar levels. The good news is that all this can change only if people knew how to eat right, thus, the American diabetic diet.

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The fundamental problem in diabetes mellitus is the body’s inability to metabolize glucose, a common form of sugar, fully and continually. This is a vital process in creating body cell energy. Glucose is a chemical derivative of the carbohydrates in foods after they have been ingested. Glucose is stored under normal conditions in the form of glycogen, or animal starch, in the liver and muscles for later use, at which time it is converted to glucose. Essentially, diabetic control depends upon the proper interaction of the following three factors: diet, insulin or hypoglycemic pills, and exercise.

The diet is prescribed on the basis of the person’s size, weight, age, and occupation. The balanced diabetic diet should contain the following nutrients: calculated quantities of carbohydrates, protein, and fats, normal amounts of vitamins and minerals, and no more than 100 grams of fat, principally drawn from the polyunsaturated fat group.

The American diabetic diet recommends that we get 50-60 percent of our calories from carbohydrates, 12-20 percent from proteins, and less than 30 percent from fats. This is necessary to keep a balanced level of blood glucose.

Moreover, the American Diabetic Association advocates the exchange measured diet. The exchange method is based upon the premise that foods which contain the same food value can be exchanged with another without altering the person’s basic dietary prescription.

Being diagnosed with diabetes can indeed be devastating. But then again, adhering to the prescribed diabetic diet, as well as having a more active lifestyle, will help make managing diabetes mellitus an easy task.

Over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year and over 200,000 deaths are attributed to the disease. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or if you simply want to take better care of how you eat, it is to your benefit to follow the American Diabetic Diet in order to keep your diabetes under control.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics must learn to follow a diabetic diet plan in order to stay healthy. When following the right meal plan, such as the American Diabetic Diet, diabetic patients are able to effectively control their blood sugar without the need for medications.

The reason the American Diabetic Diet is so highly effective is because it comprises all food groups. The American Diabetic Diet plan recommends food high in mono unsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. Most of the calories recommended in the American Diabetic Diet come primarily from carbohydrates, second from fats, then from proteins.

The American Diabetic Diet is to be followed daily and carries the following recommendations:

-5 portions fresh fruit and vegetables (spinach, broccoli and carrots)

-6 portions whole grains (cereals, bread and pasta)

-2 portions (meat, fish or chicken)

-Dairy products (eggs, skim milk, non-fat cheese, yogurt even low-fat ice cream)

Everyone’s make-up is different, so too are their bodily requirements. Some require high calorie consumption. The American Diabetic Diet accommodates this group of people.

The American Diabetic Diet plan for the people requiring 1200-1600 calorie consumption includes:

-Three portions fruits and vegetables

-Two portions milk, yogurt and meat

-Three portions of fats

-Six portions of starches

The American Diabetic Diet plan for people requiring 1600-2000 calorie consumption includes:

-Three portions fruits

-Four portions vegetables

-Two portions milk, yogurt and meat

-Four portions of fats

-Eight portions of starches

The American Diabetic Diet plan for diabetic people requiring 2000-2400 calorie consumption include:

-Three portions fruits

-Four portions vegetables

-Two portions milk, yogurt and meat

-Five portions of fats

-Eleven portions of starches

Popular belief is that diabetic people are not to eat sweets. This is not always the case. The American Diabetic Diet recommends eating sweets but in limited amounts. It is important to eat low-calorie sweets or artificial sweeteners as a substitute for sugar.

The American Diabetic Diet plan is helpful not only for people suffering from diabetes, but for everyone. People who have diabetes have the same nutritional needs as everyone else. The need for regular exercise is also the same for those with diabetes as it is for those without.

Incorporating exercise and the American Diabetic Diet, along with individually prescribed medications, are essential for managing diabetes. By having a well-balanced diet and choosing the right types of foods, the diabetic can move their blood sugar back towards regular levels. Controlling blood glucose levels is the primary goal of the American Diabetic Diet.

Be healthy and live a longer, happier life through the American Diabetic Diet. Prior to implementing the American Diabetic Diet, please consult your health care physician.

There are approximately 1 million new patients diagnosed with diabetes each year in the United States and over 200,000 deaths attributed to the disease. If you have recently been one of the patients diagnosed, you want to do everything you cannot to be one of the 200,000 reported casualties. For this reason, you should follow a diabetic diet to keep your diabetes under control.

When buying the food that are needed for a diabetic diet, it is important to read the labels, it is especially important since most food labels show daily values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. This is higher than most diabetic diets allow for. Therefore, the values given will need to be recalculated into grams and calories and adjust that into their own diet plans.

Because diabetes is such a widespread problem in the United States, learning more about the principles of the American diabetic diet is beneficial for those who have the diseases as well as those who want to prevent developing problems down the road.

Importance of American Diabetic Diet

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the fifth most deadly disease in American, affecting nearly 21 million Americans. This staggering number represents an estimated 7 percent of the United States population. Many people with diabetes are undiagnosed, and often go untreated until serious health-related problems develop.

Anyone who has diabetes or is at risk for developing diabetes is well served by following a diabetic diet. The principles of how a person with diabetes should eat in many ways echo the healthy eating habits that everyone should strive to develop, whether impacted by this disease or not.

Diabetes Food Pyramid

The American Diabetes association recommends that those observing an American diabetic diet utilize its Diabetes Food Pyramid, which differs from the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, as a guideline for planning meals.

Foods are not grouped in terms of how they are classified within a particular food group. Instead, the Diabetes Food Pyramid groups foods based on their composition in terms of carbohydrates and protein. For this reason,diabetics must develop a solid understanding of the diabetic exchange system.

Individuals who utilize this pyramid to guide their food choices will consume approximately 1,600 to 2,800 calories each day, depending on the number of servings consumed.

Pyramid Recommendations Beans, grains, and starches (6 – 11 servings daily) Vegetables (3 – 5 servings daily) Fruit (2 – 4 servings daily) Dairy (2 – 3 servings daily) Meats, Meat Substitutes, and Proteins (4 – 6 ounces per day) Oils, Fats, Sweets, Alcohol (consume only in small quantities – consider them treats) Other Factors to Consider

The food pyramid doesn’t paint a complete picture of the best American diabetic diet. There are several other factors to consider when eating to control or prevent this disease.

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