Idaho potatoes are first vegetable to participate in American Diabetes Association Better Choices for Life program

The Idaho Potato Commission and the American Diabetes Association have agreed to a multiyear partnership that will make fresh Idaho potatoes the first vegetable to participate in the ADA’s Better Choices for Life program, according to a news release.

The partnership is intended to help educate tens of millions of Americans on ways they can add Idaho potatoes to their meal plan, the release said, noting that every 23 seconds someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes and 133 million Americans are living with diabetes or prediabetes.

“We want those living with diabetes and prediabetes to feel confident eating potatoes with their breakfast, lunch or dinner as long as serving size and preparation recommendations are followed,” Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, said in the release. “This partnership aims to enhance people’s understanding of nutrition, especially carbohydrates; help build healthy eating habits and debunk some myths about potatoes and diabetes.”

The Better Choices for Life program uses the ADA’s evidence-based guidelines and perspective to help consumers make informed choices about the products they purchase, the release said. Participating products prominently display the Better Choices for Life mark on their packaging. In the coming months, consumers will begin to see this mark on select 5-pound and 10-pound bags of fresh Idaho potatoes, according to the release. 

"The American Diabetes Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. One way we do this is to educate on ways to improve nutrition status and overall health using the Diabetes Plate Method,” Laura Hieronymus, vice president of health care programs for the ADA, said in the release. “We are proud to announce that the Idaho Potato Commission meets the American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life nutrition guidelines. Idaho potatoes are a healthy vegetable on the Diabetes Plate, and we look forward to working together to bring awareness of healthful choices and food preparation in our fight to better manage and prevent diabetes."

The Diabetes Plate Method was introduced by the ADA to help those living with diabetes and prediabetes to prepare healthy meals that can help manage blood glucose (blood sugar), the release said. This approach allows individuals to put together a plate that includes a healthy balance of vegetables, protein and carbohydrates, which can include potatoes. 

The Idaho Potato Commission website features diabetes-friendly recipes.