Basics of the 1800 calorie diabetic diet
The diet of a diabetic is usually closely monitored with foods chosen carefully to ensure that the glucose levels in the body are balanced to avoid complications. Some people that are affected by diabetes have adopted the 1800 calorie diabetic diet which has been known to be work well for many people with the disease. The diet restricts diabetics to a total of 1800 calories, which they can consume on a daily basis and is seen to be very flexible when compared to other similar diets. However, it is important to consult with a qualified dietician or physician before starting on the diet.
In this diabetic diet, the amount of carbohydrates consumed is reduced so that when they are converted to glucose, the amount will be just enough to keep the levels balanced in the body. The carbohydrates that are allowed as part of the diet are used as calories in the body combined with fats as well as proteins. Even so, it is important to keep tabs on the amount of carbohydrates consumed to make sure that they do not contribute to the excess that may be above the 1800 calorie limit that governs the diabetic diet.
For diabetics to succeed using the diabetic diet that restricts daily consumption of calories at 1800 there are a number of things that they have to do and they include:
First, they need to know how to select the right foods for the diet plan so that the levels of blood sugar are kept under control. There are a number of websites that provide food lists that diabetics can use to help them shop for the right foods which will make the diet effective. The sites can also provide information on how the diet can be modified so that the calories that are required are consumed daily.
Second, create meal plans that outline the various meals for the day that fall within the 1800 calorie range. The meals should be regular and served in small portions to ensure that the appetite is under control and the blood sugar is stabilized. Another benefit of eating food in potions is weight loss and enough energy in the body.
Third, snacks should also be included at different intervals within the day and should be counted as part of the calories to be consumed. These snacks should be healthy to reduce the risk of diabetics indulging in foods that are considered to be junk when they crave to eat something. If possible, they should not exceed 150 grams in any given day so that the food consumed does not exceed 1800 calories.
Apart from making sure that the levels of blood sugar are maintained, the diabetic diet also contributes to weight loss. It is for this reason that it is important to adopt an exercise routine that runs concurrently with the diet to ensure that the body remains healthy regardless of diabetes. Lastly, exercise also prevents health problems that are associated with the heart or increase of blood pressure in the body.