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Table 3 Comparison of the average food intake of diabetic patients with national and international recommendations

From: A traditional Asian diet modified to meet nutritional requirements of diabetes, has anything changed? A cross-sectional dietary survey

Food group

US recommendations(portions/day)

National recommendations††(portions/day)

Average intake of diabetic patients (portions/day)

Starch

6–11

6–11

10.5

Fruits

2–4

2–3

1.3

Vegetables

3–5

3–4

2.9

Meat and pulses

2–3

1–2

2.1

Dairy

2–3

1–2

0.4

Added sugars

Sparingly

low

0.1

  1. US Department of Agriculture (1992) The Food Guide Pyramid. Home and Garden Bulletin no. 252. Washington, DC: USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
  2. ††Nutrition Division Ministry of Health (2011) Food Based Dietary Guidelines for Sri Lanka, 2nd ed Colombo.