To get an understanding of how the 1800 calorie diabetic diet works, here are a few guidelines.

• Proteins such as beans, seafood, chicken or beef have approximately 200 calories per serving
• Starches like whole grain breads, pastas and potatoes contain about 80 calories
• Fruits have around 60 calories a serving
• Vegetables whether raw, steamed, or grilled or a half a cup of juice has approximately 25 calories per half cup serving or 1 cup raw.

As you begin your quest for healthy eating and weight loss, a properly balanced 1800 calorie diabetes diet will soon have you on the road to success.  As part of following an 1800 calorie diabetic diet, be sure that you drink at least 8 cups of water per day (some diet specialist have even suggested that you drink and extra cup for every 10 pounds that you would like to lose) and get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day. Walking, especially outside, is an exercise virtually anyone can do and is a great way to burn calories as you enjoy the fresh air. Additional tips when using an 1800 calorie diabetes diet are:

• Select food you enjoy
• Consider your daily schedule and activities
• Be flexible

Exercise is a great way to help your blood glucose numbers stay (or soon reach) a healthy level and help avoid additional problems such as heart disease, hypertension and cancer.

As you begin an 1800 calorie diabetic diet, it is especially important to read the labels of all the foods you eat. Ironically, just because a product is low in calories, does not necessarily mean that it will not be higher in starches, sugars, fats or proteins, so pay attention to these numbers as well since they  can be high enough to raise your blood glucose numbers significantly.

Sample 1800 Calorie Diabetes Diet:

Breakfast-1 cup skim milk, 1 cup bran cereal, 1 medium fresh peach

Lunch- 2 ounces turkey, 2 slices whole wheat bread, 2 teaspoons mayonnaise,1 ounce potato chips, I large apple

Dinner- 3 ounces grilled chicken, 2/3 cup baked beans, ½ cup corn, 2 inch cube of corn bread, and 1 small frosted cupcake

Snack-3 graham crackers squares and 1 cup skim milk

So, now that you have the basics, it is all on your plate to be creative as you learn to follow the 1800 calorie diabetic diet.

Related posts:

1. The 1200 Calorie Diabetic Diet
2. The 1500 Calorie Diabetic Diet Keeps the Doctor Away
3. Diabetic Diet Ideas

Fruits and vegetables, fiber, proteins, and carbohydrates—the diabetic meal plan has many choices and they aren’t all required to be sugar –free and flavorless. Thanks to many strides in Diabetes research combined with the food industries healthy choice awareness, it is easier than it has ever been for Diabetes food and meal planning. Of course, doing everything right each day can still be difficult and sometimes a bit stressful (especially if you have been recently diagnosed). To make your Diabetes meal planning a bit easier, here are some Diabetes food and meal planning tips for success.

Diabetes Meal Planning Guidelines

1.    Eat 3 balanced meals a day as well as a snack before bed

• Always have a snack with you, should something unexpected occur and prevent you from getting a “real “meal.
• Snacks/Meals should be 2-3 hours apart, but no more than 4-6.
• Never skip a meal/snack. Remember, following the diabetic’s meal plan is a part of your diabetic treatment.

2.    Eat a variety of healthy food so that you will have a well balanced, nutritious Diabetes meal plan

• When selecting and evening snack, choose one that includes a starch and a protein

3.    Sweets and drinks that contain sugar should be limited; look for foods with sugar substitutes –a great resource for diabetics

4.    Select foods that are low in fat as these are helpful in with Diabetes meal planning.

5.    Eat plenty of foods that are high in fiber. This is especially helpful for weight loss as they make you feel full which means you eat less.

A few suggestions for Diabetes food and meal planning include:

• Whole wheat grain breads and cereals (especially those with oats or bran)
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Cooked dried beans and peas

6.    Reduce your salt/sodium intake

• Take the salt shaker off the table and replace it with a salt substitute or a mixture of seasonings and herbs that add extra flavor.
• Avoid eating excessive amounts of foods like canned soups and vegetables, ham, hot dogs, cured meats, pickles, olives, fast food items, pre-packaged meal items and other processed foods.

If you eat on the go on a regular basis, following a healthy Diabetes meal plan can be a bit of a challenge. To make that a bit easier, follow these helpful tips:

1. Avoid food choices labeled “jumbo”, “giant”, “deluxe” or “super-sized”
2. Select grilled or broiled sandwiches with lean meats such as turkey or chicken
3. A salad is a better option than fries/onion rings, etc. Stay away from toppings like bacon bits, heavy dressings, cheese, or croutons.
4. When eating Mexican food, select tacos or non-fried foods: go light on sour cream, cheeses or refried beans.
5. Choose thin-crust pizza with vegetables, rather that meats like sausage, hamburger or pepperoni, and only eat 1-2 slices.

Just because you are a diabetic, does not mean that meal planning has to involve a continual parade of bland, boring dishes. If you are willing to try a new dish, or even prepare and old favorite a new way, adhering to the guidelines of a diabetic meal plan can be a daily adventure. There are endless possibilities. From grilled fruits and vegetables to whole grain rolls or herb infused marinades for baked and broiled meats to a naturally sweet fruit salad, Diabetes meal planning can be fun and interesting. So, what’s on your plate?

Related posts:

1. Diabetes Food Exchange Lists Explained
2. The 1800 Calorie Diabetic Diet
3. The ABCs of Diabetes Diet Control