Houston Cardiovascular Associates Houston Cardiovascular Associates

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Diabetes: Using a Plate Format to Plan Meals

Overview

The diabetes plate method is a simple way to plan meals and manage the amount of carbohydrate you eat. Put non-starchy vegetables on half your plate. Add protein foods, like meat or meat substitutes, on a fourth of the plate. Put carbohydrate foods, like grains, starchy vegetables, beans, fruit, and milk and yogurt, on the final fourth of the plate. Choose water or another low-calorie beverage to drink with your meal.

How to use a plate format

Here is a simple way to manage the amount of carbohydrate you eat at meals.

Sample lunch or dinner plate

Sample plate method for diabetes, showing plate with one-half plate of non-starchy vegetables, one-fourth plate of protein foods, and one-fourth plate of carbohydrate foods.
slide 1 of 2
    
slide 1 of 2, Sample lunch or dinner plate,

Follow these guidelines for lunch and dinner. Use a plate that measures 9 inches (23 cm) across.

  • Half the plate is non-starchy vegetables. Some examples are broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, peppers, and salad greens.
  • A fourth of the plate is protein foods. These include chicken, turkey, lean beef and pork, fish, tofu, nuts, eggs, and cheese.
  • A fourth of the plate is carbohydrate foods. These include grains, fruit, yogurt and milk, and starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, and beans.
  • Choose water or another low-calorie drink. Water is a good choice with meals. Other examples of low-calorie drinks include sparkling water or unsweetened tea or coffee.

Sample breakfast plate

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slide 2 of 2, Sample breakfast plate,

For breakfast, the concept is similar.

  • Half the plate is non-starchy vegetables. You can leave this section of your plate empty if you don't usually eat vegetables at breakfast.
  • A fourth of the plate is protein foods.
  • A fourth of the plate is carbohydrate foods.
  • Choose water or another low-calorie drink.

Credits

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Top of the page

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary