Anyone at any age can develop diabetes, however age and obesity increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation. If you already have diabetes, losing weight can improve your blood sugar control. A 1,400-calorie diabetic diet will help most women lose weight.
Breakfast
When following a calorie-controlled diet for diabetes, use the diabetes exchange diet as a guide to help you balance your carbohydrate, protein and fat intake. The exchange diet divides foods into food groups based on similarities in nutrient content and provides serving size information to help you control your calorie intake. On a 1,400-calorie diabetic diet you can have two servings of starch, one serving of meat, one serving of fruit, one serving of milk and one serving of fat. A sample breakfast meal on a 1,400-calorie diabetic diet may include two slices of toast with 1 tsp. of margarine, one scrambled egg, a small orange and 1 cup of nonfat milk. Another breakfast meal may include a 2 oz. toasted whole wheat bagel with one slice of low-fat cheese, 1 cup of diced melon and a 6 oz. container of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt.
Lunch
For better blood sugar and hunger control on a reduced-calorie diet, choose more high fiber foods, such as whole fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Your lunch meal on a 1,400-calorie diabetic diet should include two servings of starch, two servings of meat, one serving of fruit, one serving of milk, one serving of vegetables and one serving of fat. A sample lunch meal may include a roast beef sandwich on two slices of whole wheat bread with 2 oz. of lean roast beef and 1 tsp. of mayonnaise, served with a medium peach, 1 cup of nonfat milk and 1 cup of sliced cucumbers. Another lunch meal idea on a 1,400-calorie diabetic diet may include a cold pasta salad made with 1 cup of cooked whole wheat pasta with 2 oz. of diced cooked chicken breast, 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli, cauliflower and carrots with 1 tbsp. of Italian dressing, served with a 6 oz. container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt and 17 grapes.
Dinner
Limit your calorie intake by choosing lean cuts of meat like fish, skinless poultry, lean ground meats and pork tenderloin. Lean meats are also lower in saturated fat. High intake of saturated fat increases blood cholesterol levels and your risk of cardiovascular disease. Your dinner meal on a 1,400-calorie diabetic diet should contain three servings of starch, two servings of meat, one serving of fruit, two servings of vegetables and one serving of fat. A sample dinner meal may include a 2-oz. turkey burger served on a whole wheat hamburger bun with a 3-oz. baked potato, 1 tsp. of margarine,1 cup of steamed green beans and a small orange. Another sample dinner meal on a 1,400-calorie diabetic diet may include 2 oz. of baked halibut with 1 cup of brown rice, 1 cup of spinach sauteed in 1 tsp. of olive oil and garlic and 1/2 cup of unsweetened canned fruit cocktail.
