Diabetes Food Pyramid - Diabetes Food Pyramid

Diabetes Food Pyramid
National Diabetes Education Program, National Institutes of Health

The Diabetes Food Pyramid is a general guide of what and how much to eat each day. It is similar to the Food Pyramid you see on many food packages. The pyramid is divided into six groups. You should eat more foods from the largest group at the base of the pyramid and less from the smaller groups at the top of the pyramid. The number of servings needed every day is not the same for everyone, so a range of servings is given to ensure you get the foods you need for good health. The food groups and suggested servings per day are listed below.

* Grains, Beans, and Starchy Vegetables: (good source of B vitamins and fiber) 6 or more servings/day
* Fruits: (contain vitamins C, A, potassium, folate, and fiber) 3-4 servings/day
* Vegetables: (provide vitamins A, C, folate, and fiber) 3-5 servings/day
* Milk: (source of calcium, protein, vitamins A and D) 2-3 servings/day
* Meats and Others: (good source of iron, zinc, B vitamins, and protein) 2-3 servings/day
* Fats, Sweets, and Alcohol: The foods at the tip of the pyramid should be eaten in small amounts. Fats and oils should be limited because they are high in calories. Sweets are high in sugar and should only be eaten once in a while.

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) http://ndep.nih.gov
NIDDK, National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892