A 2,000-calorie ADA diet plan follows dietary guidelines from the American Diabetic Association (ADA) and will meet the nutritional needs of the average adult diabetic and most teenagers with diabetes. This diet is similar to federal dietary guidelines for healthy adults but focuses more on controlling blood sugar to prevent diabetic complications.
Calories
Calories are contained in food and are used up during the day through normal body functions and physical activity. Diabetics following a 2,000-calorie diet should not consume more than 2,000 calories a day because excess consumption contributes to weight gain and obesity. According to the ADA, obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and makes managing diabetes harder. Diabetics who are overweight might need to eat less than 2,000 calories a day to support weight loss and lower their risk of diabetic complications.
Diabetic Diet
The ADA says the purpose of a diabetic diet is to support overall health, maintain a healthy weight and prevent diabetic complications. Diet is also important in managing blood sugar. Blood sugar increases with consumption of sugar and carbohydrates, and diabetics with consistently high blood sugar are at risk for hyperglycemia, vision problems, nerve damage, skin disorders, kidney problems and heart disease.
Guidelines
The healthiest sugars and carbohydrates naturally occur in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and low-fat dairy products. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), these foods are rich in essential nutrients that support overall health and prevent illnesses and diseases. Other healthful foods for a diabetic include lean proteins such as chicken breast, fish, seafood, eggs and soy. Diabetics should limit white table sugar, powdered sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. These are found in candy, soda, desserts, pastries and sweets, which tend to be high in calories but low in essential nutrients. Eating too many added sugars can lead to weight gain and diabetic complications.The ADA also advises diabetics to limit their intake of saturated fat, trans-fats and cholesterol because they contribute to obesity and heart disease. The best way to reduce consumption of fat and cholesterol is to eat more fresh foods and limit processed and fast foods.
Physical Activity
This is essential for good health and weight maintenance on a 2,000-calorie ADA diet. According to the ADA, regular physical activity also helps prevent type 2 diabetes in children and adults. Diabetics should get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Diabetics trying to lose weight should aim for 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week in addition to eating a healthy diet that is low in calories and fat.
Tools
According to the ADA, meal-planning tools include carbohydrate counting, the glycemic index, the diabetes food pyramid and diabetes exchange lists. Most of these tools focus on monitoring the amount of carbohydrates and sugars that are consumed. Diabetics can consult with a physician or a dietitian to learn more about diabetic meal planning.
