While diabetes can affect anyone, 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Losing weight may bring your blood sugar levels down to normal, says the American Diabetes Association. Many of the diets for diabetes control calories and can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Consult with a doctor or dietitian to determine the best diet for you.
Diabetes Exchange Diet
The diabetes exchange diet describes a calorie-controlled low-fat meal plan for people with diabetes that can help promote weight loss and reach blood sugar goals. The exchange diet divides foods into food groups, including starches, fruits, milk, meat and meat substitutes and nonstarchy vegetables and fats, based on similarities in nutrient composition. On the exchange diet, you are allowed to eat a certain number of servings, or exchanges, from each of the food groups based on your calorie needs. A doctor or dietitian can help you determine your exact calorie and exchange needs for weight loss. When meal planning, you can exchange various food items for one another within each food group. For example, at breakfast a 3/4 cup serving of unsweetened cold cereal can be exchanged for 1/2 cup of hot cooked cereal.
Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid
The diabetes food guide pyramid is designed to help you make smart food choices for health and blood sugar control. As a calorie controlled diet for weight loss, you eat a certain number of servings from each food group each day based on your calorie needs. A doctor or dietitian can help you determine how many calories you need to lose weight. The diet encourages you to choose more foods from the bottom of the pyramid, including starches, fruits and vegetables, and fewer foods from the top of the pyramid, like sweets and fats.
Create Your Plate
Create your plate is a simple diabetic diet tool that teaches you how to control portions for both blood sugar control and weight loss. The plan uses your dinner plate as a guide to help you limit your intake. You start by dividing your plate in half and then dividing one half of the plate in half again, creating three separate sections. To decrease calories and control portions, fill the largest section of your plate with low-calorie nonstarchy vegetables such as green beans, spinach and broccoli. The other two sections can be filled with small portions of lean meat such as chicken or fish, and whole-grain starches such as peas or brown rice. Add a cup of skim milk and a piece of fruit to balance your meal.
