Diabetes: Using a plate format for eating

Meal planning for diabetes includes eating certain amounts of foods at regular meals and snacks. Although it isn't complicated, it can seem that way if you have never had to plan your meals. A plate format is a simple way to get used to measuring or counting how much food you eat. As you become accustomed to it, you eventually will use other methods. Talk with a registered dietitian or your certified diabetes educator.

You may want to use a plate format if you:

• Have just found out you have diabetes and you feel overwhelmed.
• Are eating away from home.
• Have difficulty reading.
• Want a simple meal plan to follow.
• Learn best by visualizing.
• Are having a hard time understanding other diet methods, such as using a food guide for diabetes (similar to the MyPyramid guide), counting carbohydrate in your diet, or using lists that group foods according to nutrient content (diabetic exchange lists). If you already are using other methods, a plate format can be another tool to help you plan meals.

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