Diabetes 1200 Calorie Diet

Proper blood sugar control significantly reduces your risk of diabetes-related complications. If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight can help improve your blood sugar level, according to the American Diabetes Association. A 1,200-calorie diet for diabetes is a very low-calorie diet that can help promote weight loss. Consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan.

Diet Basics

The diabetes exchange diet works best when following a calorie-controlled diabetic diet for weight loss. It helps balance both your calorie and nutrient intake. The exchange diet divides foods into groups based on similarities in calorie, carbohydrate, protein and fat content. On the 1,200-calorie diet, you can have a certain number of servings from each food group at each meal. When meal planning, you can exchange foods within their own groups. For example, in the starch group, you can exchange one slice of bread for 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes, or in the fruit group, a small apple for 17 grapes.

Breakfast

At breakfast on a 1,200-calorie diet for diabetes you can have two starch exchanges, one fruit exchange, one milk exchange and one fat exchange. A sample breakfast meal may consist of two slices of whole wheat toast with 1 tsp. of margarine, a small orange, and 6 oz. container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt. Another meal may include 1 cup of hot cooked oatmeal with 1 tsp. of margarine and 2 tbsp. of raisins with 1 cup of nonfat milk. Eating foods high in fiber, such as fresh fruit and whole grains, helps control hunger and blood sugar.

Lunch

You can have one starch exchange, two meat exchanges, one vegetable exchange, one fruit exchange, one milk exchange and one fat exchange for lunch on a 1,200-calorie diet for diabetes. A sample lunch meal may include a turkey sandwich made with two slices of reduced calorie bread -- 40 calories per slice -- with 2 oz. of lean turkey meat and 1 tsp. of mayonnaise, served with 1 cup of baby carrots, 17 grapes and 1 cup of nonfat milk. Another lunch meal idea may include an entree salad made with 2 cups of mixed greens, 2 oz. of albacore tuna packed in water, 2 tbsp. of craisins and 2 tbsp. of low-fat salad dressing served with a small whole wheat dinner roll and a 6 oz. container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt.

Dinner

Dinner on a 1,200-calorie diet for diabetes should contain two starch exchanges, two meat exchanges, one vegetable exchange, one fruit exchange and one fat exchange. A sample dinner meal may include 2 oz. of grilled shrimp with 2/3 cups of brown rice, 1/2 cups of steamed broccoli with 1 tsp. of margarine, and 1 1/4 cups of whole strawberries. You can also try a 2 oz. grilled hamburger made with extra lean ground meat served on a whole wheat dinner roll, served with a tossed salad with 2 tbsp. of low-fat salad dressing and 3/4 cup of fresh pineapple. Choose lean cuts of meat such as skinless poultry, fish, lean ground meat, pork tenderloin and beef eye of round to limit your intake of saturated fat. Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease, and excess intake of saturated fat increases blood cholesterol levels.