This website uses cookies to improve the functionality and performance of the website, to better understand how you use AAPA’s website and services, and to provide you with a customized experience. By continuing your use of this website, you consent to this use of cookies. See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Exciting Updates to the Diabetes Plate are Here!

Benefits patients with diabetes, and those with prediabetes, obesity

March 11, 2025

Kerstin Stephens, MHS, PA-C

By Kerstin Stephens, MHS, PA-C

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has modernized its traditional plate method, transforming it into a variety of Placemats, flexible and inclusive resources for individualized meal planning. The improved approach not only benefits patients with diabetes, but also those with prediabetes, obesity, or anyone looking to adopt a healthier diet.

The Placemats simplify portion planning, providing a visual guide for servings without the counting or measuring. This model enables conversations about nutrition goals and sustainable lifestyle changes, making them excellent tools, not just for diabetes educators and dieticians, but also for primary care providers.

[View ADA’s new and improved placemats in AAPA’s Diabetes Toolkit]

Beyond the Classic Placemat, the ADA incorporates culturally diverse options, reflecting a variety of culinary traditions such as Asian, Hispanic (in Spanish), Indian, Pacific Islander, Southern, and vegetarian. Individuals can see familiar foods represented in a balanced way. In addition, a Kidney-Friendly Placemat is available for those with chronic kidney disease, not on dialysis. A QR code is included and conveniently links to the ADA Diabetes Hub, offering even more patient support such as recipes, meal planning tools, grocery list creation features, healthy eating blogs, and access to virtual cooking classes.

The “Classic” and “Asian” Placemats are shown above. View all the new placemats in AAPA’s Diabetes Toolkit.

Find them in AAPA’s Diabetes Toolkit or in the Diabetes Food Hub on the ADA website, diabetes.org. Placemat tear pads for patient hand-outs are available for purchase at ShopDiabetes.org.

With these enhanced, easy-to-use resources, portion planning is simpler than ever—one plate at a time!

Kerstin Stephens, MHS, PA-C, is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience as a PA and currently practices at the University Health Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nephrology Center in Kansas City, MO.

You May Also Like
AAPA’s Diabetes Toolkit
Grantee Spotlight: Fighting Diabetes with Healthy Lungs and Feet
PA and Registered Dietitian Colleen Sloan Provides ‘Nutrition Education for Busy Medical Professionals’

You might also like

 

Thank you for reading AAPA’s News Central

You have 2 articles left this month. Create a free account to read more stories, or become a member for more access to exclusive benefits! Already have an account? Log in.

Create Free Account