
It is necessary for an overweight person having type 2 diabetes to lose some weight. This will not only lower the blood sugar level, but also improve the overall health. This article discusses a few diet plans for diabetics that will help them lose some pounds.
Diabetes is a health condition that poses a serious risk to people of all age groups. Stress and bad food habits together trigger this condition. Diabetics, especially those who are overweight, should therefore be extra cautious while deciding which foods to consume. Following are a few popular diet plans for diabetics ensures that they not only gain the necessary nutrients, but also lose weight effectively.
Diet for Weight Loss
Any diet plan for diabetics should be designed by a professional nutritionist or dietitian, depending on the individual requirements of the person in question. This includes the nutritional requirements, the amount of weight required to be lost, the optimum calorie intake for losing weight, and finally, the blood sugar levels.
The other factors that are considered while charting out a diabetic diet plan for weight loss are age, height, gender, lifestyle, and the number of calories burned in an inactive state. It is only when all these factors are determined, that a suitable diet plan will be administered to you, and your progress will be closely monitored by your dietitian. Do not, under any circumstance, try to choose a diet plan on your own and risk your health.
Low-Carb Diet
The most common diet plan suggested by dietitians to diabetics is a low-carb diabetic diet. This is because, carbohydrates, when consumed in excess, get easily converted to glucose, thereby increasing the blood sugar levels. This in turn leads to weight gain, further affecting the health of the diabetics. As such, a low-carb diet can help control the blood sugar levels and also lead to weight loss. The dietician may advise you to avoid refined carbohydrates and sugary foods, which might be replaced with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as lean meats, and healthy drinks instead.
1200 Calorie Diabetic Diet
The 1200 calorie diet restricts your calorie intake to 1200 calories a day though without compromising on the nutritional value of your diet. You will be given meal plans that ensure you get the necessary intake of carbohydrates, fat, and proteins. However, with the drastic reduction of the number of calories in your diet, you may experience extreme hunger pangs, and perhaps lightheadedness. You will be given a choice of snacks to help you out of a situation like this though, so you need not worry. This diet will be prescribed when you need to undergo extensive weight loss to ensure that your diabetes and blood sugar levels remain under control.
1500 Calorie Diabetic Diet
The 1500 calorie diet restricts your calorie intake to 1500 calories a day. Here, your carbohydrate levels are not compromised as this diet is based on the principle that these are the main energy sources, and therefore, they are included in a suitable proportion in the diet along with proteins and fat. The division of nutrients in this diet is mainly in the manner of 50% carbohydrates, 20% protein, and 30% fat. Again, this is a diet that is administered to those who may be obese and need to undergo an extensive weight loss regime to control your blood sugar levels.
1800 Calorie Diabetic Diet
The 1800 calorie diet plan limits your calorie intake to 1800 calories per day. It is another common and effectively administered diet plan for diabetics. The principles it functions on are similar to the aforementioned diets, that restrict your calorie intake. The calorie intake is mainly limited depending on the requirements of your body and the necessity to lose weight or control blood sugar. As such, once your requirements have been determined, any of the aforementioned diets will be referred to you. These diets ensure healthy weight loss, without compromising on nutrition requirements, sugar levels, or optimal health.
Based on the aforementioned principles, there are two more diabetic plans that are based on a limited calorie intake, namely, the 2000 calorie diet, as well as the 2200 calorie diet. For a diabetic, resorting to any kind of diet plan without proper consultation can pose as a serious health risk. Therefore, always consult a dietitian, who will chart out a specific diet for you, based on the requirements of your body and your blood sugar levels.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.