Following a calorie-controlled diet can help you manage your diabetes and lose or maintain a healthy weight. An 1,800-calorie diabetic diet can help women over the age of 31 maintain healthy weights and help most men lose weight. Consult your physician to determine if the 1,800-calorie diet is right for you.
Diet Guidelines
Your 1,800-calorie diabetic menu should include three meals and one snack. Each meal should contain 45 to 60 g of carbohydrates and each snack about 15 to 30 g. Carbohydrates in food increase blood sugar, and controlling the amount you eat can improve blood sugar. Foods with carbohydrates include starches, grains, fruits, milk, yogurt and sweets. Reading food labels can help you track and control both your calorie and carbohydrate intake. To help you stay within your calorie limit, choose low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and low-fat or nonfat dairy foods.
Breakfast
A sample breakfast meal on an 1,800-calorie diabetic diet might include an egg white omelet made with two egg whites, 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms and 1 oz. of low-fat cheese, served with two slices of whole wheat toast with 1 tsp. of margarine, 1 cup of nonfat milk and a small banana. This meal contains 480 calories, 57 g of carbohydrates, 30 g of protein and 8 g of fat. Try to eat your meals around the same time each day for consistency and better blood sugar control.
Lunch
For lunch, you can have a cold pasta salad made with 1 cup of whole wheat rotini pasta, 1 cup of mixed vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, 3 oz. of diced chicken breast and 2 tbsp. of low-fat salad dressing, served with a 6 oz. container of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt. Lunch contains 615 calories, 57 g of carbohydrates, 40 g of protein and 13 g of fat. High-fiber foods, such as whole-wheat products, fruits and vegetables, slow digestion delaying the release of sugar into your bloodstream.
Dinner
A diabetic dinner meal on an 1,800-calorie diet could include a 3 oz. broiled pork chop with 1 cup of brown rice, 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce and 1 cup of steamed green beans with 1 tsp. of margarine. Dinner contains 530 calories, 60 g of carbohydrates, 32 g of protein and 14 g of fat.
Snack
A healthy diabetic snack on your calorie-controlled diet might include five whole grain crackers with 1 1/2 tsp. of peanut butter and a small apple for 185 calories, 30 g of carbohydrates, 4 g of protein and 5 g of fat.
