Updated June 18, 2014.
Managing portion size is one of the best ways to control your eating habits and lose weight. That may require breaking some stubborn habits though. Most people are accustomed to filling up their plates based how hungry they feel. However, if you have diabetes, you must think about the quantity of food you eat at each meal. Many people with diabetes find the plate method to managing portion sizes a helpful gauge when eating at a restaurant or other outing.
Though the plate method won’t be as accurate as counting carbohydrates, it will help you keep your food intake in general line with your overall diabetes management plan. Here’s how it works in three easy steps:
Step 1:
Take an average sized dinner plate and divide it in half. In one half place non-starchy vegetables such as:- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Romaine lettuce
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Cucumber
- Beets
- Peppers
You can make a salad from a combination of these vegetable or just serve any one by itself. About one cup of raw vegetables is considered an appropriate serving size. One cup would be about the size of your fist.
Step 2:
Divide the other half of your plate in half again. In one quarter place your protein source, such as:- 3 oz. of lean beef or pork
- 3 oz. of skinless turkey, chicken or fish
- Tofu
- Eggs
- Cottage cheese
A 3 oz. serving is about the size of a deck of cards.
Step 3:
In the other quarter of your plate place your starchy foods such as:- Bread
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Beans
- Rice
- Tortilla
- Cereals
- Oatmeal
Serving sizes range from ½ cup of rice to a baked potato about the size of your fist.
The plate methods works best when you use a 9 inch plate versus the standard 12 inch dinner plate. While this method helps keeps portion control in check it is best used when you are away from home and can’t measure your food carefully. It’s also important to keep in mind that the amount of carbohydrates can vary widely in the same quantity of food. For example, a slice of bread may range between 7 to 30 grams of carbohydrates, depending on the type. If you suspect that a particular food may be higher in carbohydrates, take a smaller portion and savor the food by eating slowly.
The plate method can work well but only if you don’t cheat. Limit your meal to only those foods you put on your plate initially and resist the urge to go back for seconds.
You can also compare the plate method with counting carbohydrates and the Diabetes Food Pyramid to increase your knowledge of how to manage your food plan.
Sources:
Create Your Plate. American Diabetes Association. Accessed May 23, 2009. http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/create-your-plate/