An 1,800-calorie diet for a severe diabetic is prescribed by a physician or a registered dietitian. The calorie level is determined based on your need to gain, maintain or lose weight. Medication timing and dosage are adjusted based on the calorie and carbohydrate content of each meal. Consistency in following a diabetic diet and taking physician-prescribed medication is critical for optimal blood glucose control and to prevent complications related to diabetes that is poorly managed.
General Guidelines
Diabetics must never skip meals. You need to eat on time, at regularly scheduled intervals, for optimal blood glucose control. The carbohydrate content of your meals should be carefully controlled to maintain blood glucose levels in a normal, healthy range. Exercise, alcohol, eating out, stress and illness all impact blood sugar control, so it is important to carefully monitor and log blood sugar levels in each of these instances as prescribed by your physician.
Nutrient Distribution
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the recommended intake of energy as a percentage of total calories is 45 to 65 percent carbohydrate, 20 to 35 percent fat and 10 to 35 percent protein. The following 1,800-calorie diet is 50 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent fat and 20 percent protein. Carbohydrate selections should be rich in fiber, such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Fat and protein selections should be low in cholesterol, saturated and trans fat, and rich in poly- and monounsaturated fats.
Carbohydrate Counting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid includes grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats and fat. Carbohydrates are found in the grain, fruit and dairy groups, and each serving contains 15 grams of carbohydrates. The 1,800 calories allow for 60 g of carbohydrate each at breakfast, lunch and dinner and 45 g of carbohydrate at the evening snack. This equates to four servings of grains, fruits and dairy at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and three servings at the evening snack.
Carb Choices
According to the American Diabetes Association, 15 grams of carbohydrate is equal to:
1 small piece of fruit
½ cup of canned or frozen fruit in light syrup or packed in its own juices
1 slice of bread (1 oz.)
1 6-inch tortilla
½ cup cooked cereal
¾ cup dry cereal
1/3 cup pasta or rice
4 to 6 crackers
½ English muffin or hamburger bun
½ cup black beans or starchy vegetable
¼ of a large baked potato (3 ounces)
2/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt or sweetened with sugar substitutes
1 cup low-fat milk
2 small cookies
2-inch-square brownie or cake without frosting
½ cup sherbet or low-fat ice cream
1 tbsp. syrup, jam, jelly, sugar or honey
2 tbsp. light syrup
6 chicken nuggets
½ cup casserole, such as lasagna
1 cup of soup
Protein and Fat
To optimize blood sugar control, include a protein and fat source at each meal time and a variety of nonstarchy vegetables at lunch and dinner. An 1,800-calorie diet allows for 1 tbsp. of regular or 2 tbsp of low-fat margarine or salad dressing at every meal. An 1,800-calorie diet allows for 6 oz. of protein per day. One serving of protein is equal to 1 oz. of lean meat, 1 egg, ¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese, 1 tbsp. peanut butter or 2 cups tofu. All protein and fat portion sizes are based on the American Diabetes Association.
Sample Menu
Breakfast: ½ cup orange juice (15 g), 1 egg, ¾ cup dry cereal (15 g), 1 slice of toast (15 g), 1 cup of low-fat milk (15 grams) and a tbsp. of margarine. Calorie-free beverages include black coffee or water.
Lunch: 1 apple (15 g), 1 sandwich (30 g) with 2 oz. of meat and 1 tbsp. of low fat mayonnaise, 1 ½ cups tossed salad with 1 tbsp. low-fat salad dressing, 2/3 cup fat-free yogurt (15 g). Calorie-free beverages include black coffee, water or diet soda.
Dinner: 1 cup of watermelon (15 g), 1 whole grain dinner roll (15 g), 1/3 cup pasta (15 g), 2 oz. white meat chicken without the skin, 2 tbsp. low-fat margarine, ½ cup green beans, 1 cup low-fat milk (15 g). Calorie-free beverages include black coffee, water or diet soda.
Evening Snack: 8 to 12 whole grain crackers (30 g), 1 oz. low-fat cheese, 1 cup fresh blueberries (15 g)
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