Core and secondary foods in a sample of patients with type 2 diabetes

The core foods model was used to determine the diet pattern of people with type 2 diabetes. Frequency analysis was used to determine the core and secondary food categories from 24-hour food recalls and to delineate specific foods within these categories. The core foods consisted of 19 food categories, including fruits, vegetables, coffee, diet soda, and table fat. Greater than 50% of total calories, protein, carbohydrate, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and fiber came from the core foods. Despite frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, excess fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol and inadequate fiber were consumed compared with national recommendations.