Triglycerides are fats in the blood from the food we eat. Like cholesterol, high blood triglyceride levels increase your risk of heart disease. Following a low-fat, low-sugar diet and limiting your intake of alcohol can decrease your blood triglyceride levels. A 1,200-calorie diet for lowering triglycerides can also help you lose weight. As a low-calorie diet, you should only follow a 1,200-calorie diet under the supervision of your physician.
Fruits
When following a 1,200-calorie diet for lowering triglycerides, you will need 1 cup of fruits a day. Choose more whole fruits instead of juice and canned fruit packed in water. Eating foods high in concentrated sugars can increase your blood cholesterol levels. Healthy fruit choices and 1 cup serving sizes include a small apple, 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1 cup of cubed melon, a large orange, a medium pear, a large banana and 1 cup of unsweetened canned fruit.
Vegetables
You need 1 cup of vegetables on a 1,200-calorie diet for lowering triglycerides. Choose fresh, frozen and low-sodium canned vegetables and avoid vegetables with high-fat sauces. Healthy choices include leafy greens, carrots, green beans, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and artichokes.
Grains
Choose more whole grains when trying to lower your triglyceride levels. Foods made from refined flours digest quickly into sugar and can increase your blood triglyceride levels. You need three servings of grains a day on a 1,200-calorie diet. Healthy choices and serving sizes include 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1 cup of unsweetened whole grain cereal, one slice of whole wheat bread, 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice or whole wheat pasta and five whole grain crackers.
Meat and Beans
You can have 2 oz. of meat or beans on a 1,200-calorie diet for lowering triglyceride levels. Choose lean cuts of meat such as poultry, fish and lean red meat to limit your intake of calories and fat. The omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish such as salmon or tuna can help lower your triglyceride levels. You should include these fish in your diet twice a week when trying to lower your triglyceride levels. A 1/4-cup serving of cooked beans is equal to 1 oz. of meat.
Milk
Like meat, some milk choices are high in fat. Choose low-fat or nonfat milk to limit your intake. You need 2 cups of milk a day on a 1,200-calorie diet for lowering triglyceride levels. Healthy choices and 1 cup serving sizes include 1 cup of 1 percent fat milk, 1 cup of skim milk, 1 cup of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt, 1-1/2 oz. of natural cheese and 2 oz. of processed cheese.
Oil
You can have up to 3 tsp. of oil a day on a 1,200-calorie diet for lowering triglyceride levels. Choose mostly heart-healthy oils such as olive oil, canola oil and soy oil.
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