If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, no matter the type, you are likely familiar with the American Diabetes Association (ADA). But what exactly is this organization, and how does it support those living with diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about diabetes. They provide support for individuals affected by the condition by funding research aimed at managing, curing, and preventing diabetes, which includes type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.
Apart from funding diabetes-related initiatives, they also:
- Deliver services to hundreds of communities
- Provide objective and credible information
- Advocate for the rights of those who face discrimination due to diabetes
The Role of the American Diabetes Association in 2022
In 2022, the American Diabetes Association remains a crucial force, supported by over 565,000 volunteers, their families, and caregivers. It includes a professional society of nearly 16,000 healthcare professionals and more than 250 staff members.
The importance of the ADA is underscored by recent diabetes statistics. According to 2019 data, 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3% of the population, had diabetes. Around 1.9 million Americans were living with type 1 diabetes, including 244,000 children and adolescents. Each year, 1.4 million U.S. residents are newly diagnosed with diabetes.
ADA’s Recommended Diet for Managing Diabetes
A thoughtfully designed meal plan is a powerful tool for managing both diabetes and prediabetes. The American Diabetes Association places a strong emphasis on diet for effective condition management, advocating the Diabetes Plate Method. But what exactly is the Diabetes Plate Method?
As per the ADA, the Diabetes Plate Method allows you to easily plan perfectly portioned, balanced meals including vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. This approach is hassle-free, eliminating the need for calculating, weighing, measuring, and counting sugar levels.
Here’s a simplified guide to the ADA’s Diabetes Plate Method to help manage your blood sugar levels:
STEP 1: Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables.
Examples:
- Asparagus
- Broccoli or Cauliflower
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Leafy greens such as kale, collards, mustard greens, or Swiss Chard
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Green beans, pea pods, snow peas, and sugar snap peas
- Peppers such as bell peppers and hot peppers
- Salad greens such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, endive, and other salad mixes
- Squash such as zucchini, yellow squash, chayote, spaghetti squash
- Tomatoes
STEP 2: Fill one-quarter of your plate with lean protein foods.
Examples:
- Chicken, turkey, and eggs
- Fish like salmon, cod, tuna, tilapia, or swordfish
- Shellfish like shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, or lobster
- Lean beef cuts such as chuck, round, sirloin, flank, or tenderloin
- Lean pork cuts such as center loin chop or tenderloin
- Lean deli meats
- Cheese and cottage cheese
STEP 3: Fill one-quarter of your plate with nutrient-rich foods.
Examples:
- Whole grains such as brown rice, bulgur, oats/oatmeal, polenta, popcorn, quinoa, and whole grain products (bread, pasta, tortillas)
- Starchy vegetables such as acorn squash, butternut squash, green peas, parsnips, plantain, potato, pumpkin, and sweet potato/yam
- Beans and legumes such as black, kidney, pinto, and garbanzo beans
- Fruits and dried fruit
- Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and milk substitutes (i.e., soy milk)
STEP 4: Opt for water or a low-calorie beverage.
Examples:
- Unsweetened tea (hot or iced)
- Unsweetened coffee (hot or iced)
- Sparkling water/club soda
- Flavored water or sparkling water without added sugar
- Diet soda or other diet drinks
Note: You can still employ the plate method when preparing and portioning combo meals. Simply list out the various ingredients in the meal and determine where they fit on the plate.
Guidelines from the American Diabetes Association
Offering a yearly update on the best practices for managing diabetes, the American Diabetes Association publishes its Standards of Care each year.
The ADA’s Professional Practice Committee (PPC) updates these guidelines every January, reviewing current research and seeking input from expert contributors. The goal is to provide recommendations on diagnosing and managing diabetes to healthcare providers, researchers, insurers, individuals with diabetes, and their families.
This year’s updates emphasize screening, preventing complications, leveraging technology, and personalizing diabetes care.
According to Dr. Robert Gabbay, the ADA’s chief scientific and medical officer, the science of diabetes care is constantly evolving. As new advancements and insights emerge, the ADA remains dedicated to sharing this information with the public to ensure the best possible care for individuals with diabetes.