What is the 1800 Calorie Diabetic Diet Menu?

Diabetic meal plans vary from one diabetic patient to another because every individual's calorie needs and overall health differ from each other. Included in a wide variety of diabetic meal plans is the 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu that limits the diabetic person's food consumption to 1800 calories. These limits are important in controlling the diabetic patient's glucose and cholesterol levels as well as body weight. Another goal of the 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu is to help the diabetic patient develop a healthy eating lifestyle.

Typical servings in an 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu include:

Breakfast

- Two slices of whole wheat bread
- Cup of skimmed or non-fat milk
- A single serving of fruit like orange, apple or banana
- A small slice or cheese
- A cup of unsweetened, low-fat yogurt as a substitute for milk
- Pasta as a substitute for bread

This breakfast can provide all the nutrition that you will need for the entire morning. You can have starch from bread, fat from cheese, vitamins from the fresh fruits and protein from the skimmed milk.

Lunch

- Two small portions from either chicken or turkey (with skins removed)
- One portion of either chicken or turkey (with skins removed) and a few slices of cheese
- A small fish

Meats are good sources of protein. However, in an 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu, fats and cholesterol should be avoided. It is very important to use as little oil as possible when cooking meats. It would be better to bake, steam, grill or roast meat instead of frying. You can also eat a cup of rice, pasta or vegetable along with meat. Similar with your 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu for breakfast, the above meal suggestions will provide you with all the necessary nutrients that you can get from lunch.

Afternoon Snack

- Low-salt crackers
- One cup of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt
- Half cup of tea with artificial sweeteners

You should not eat a heavy meal during afternoon snacks. Also, sugar is not really banned in an 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu. What you need to do is to take sugar in small amounts and in moderation. There are artificial sweeteners made especially for diabetic patients but still, consume them in small amounts.

Dinner

- A small fish or a small portion of meat (chicken, turkey, pork or beef)
- Include vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, broccoli or spinach
- A small serving of fruit like banana, apple, orange, pineapple or pear
- Rice cakes
- A cup of low-fat milk

You should not eat too much at night so that digestion will be easier while sleeping.
All of these 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu guidelines are proven to be safe and effective. To know more about it, you can consult your health care provider or dietitian.