The 1,000 calorie ADA exchange diet is a weight-loss diet plan for type 1 and type 2 diabetic adults who need to lose weight. This diet provides a consistent number of carbohydrates at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which helps maintain good glycemic control. Note that prior to starting any diet plan, you must discuss your diet prescription with your physician and registered dietitian. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medications or insulin.
Benefits
The 1,000 calorie ADA exchange diet may be prescribed by a physician for diabetic individuals who are trying to control their blood sugar by losing weight. The diet will provide most of the essential nutrients your body needs on a daily basis, but keep in mind that multi-vitamin supplementation also may be necessary because your dietary intake is so limited. Diabetic individuals who are not overweight or obese should follow a diabetic diet, but they should not limit themselves to 1,000 calories.
Nutrition Labels
Just like any other calorie-controlled diet, the 1,000 calorie ADA exchange diet limits the total number of calories you can consume. Calories come from all foods and beverages, so you must read the nutrition label on all of the items you consume. When reading the nutrition label, look at the serving size, servings per container, and calories. If you consume more than one serving size, you will need to multiply the number of calories by the number of servings you eat.
Counting Carbohydrates
As noted by the nutrition staff at Vanderbilt University, individuals with diabetes should be consistent with the amount of carbohydrates they consume at each meal and snack. By being consistent, you will ensure that your blood sugar stays within a normal range. Typically, the 1,000 calorie ADA exchange diet will contain 45 g of carbohydrate at each meal and 0 to 15 g of carbohydrate at snacks. The amount of carbohydrate in a food can be found on the nutrition label under the "Total Carbohydrate" line, or you can also find carbohydrate content information using online calorie counters.
Fiber
Following a 1,000 ADA exchange diet can be difficult unless you are filling up on high-fiber foods. Vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, and tomatoes, are excellent sources of fiber, and they are also low in calories and carbohydrates. Brown rice and whole grain pasta are also good sources of fiber, but remember to limit the amount that you consume because these foods also contain carbohydrate.
Sample Menu
The following diet contains 1,000 calories and 135 g. carbohydrate.
Breakfast: 1/2 c. cooked oatmeal, 3/4 c. blueberries, 8 oz. 1 percent fat milk (235 calories, 45 g. carbohydrate)
Lunch: 2 slices whole-grain bread with 3 oz. lean turkey, lettuce, tomato, and 1 tsp. mayonnaise, 1 small apple (345 calories, 45 g. carbohydrate)
Dinner: 3 oz. grilled salmon, 1 c. steamed green beans and cauliflower, 2/3 c. brown rice, 1-1/4 c. strawberries (420 calories, 45 g. carbohydrate)
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