There are so many different diabetic diet plans out there, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Some diet plans emphasize the total number of daily calories you can consume, such as the 1800 calorie diabetic diet, or the 1200 calorie diabetic diet. Other diet plans include a focus on lowering the intake of fats or carbs, such as the 1800 calorie low fat diet, or the 1800 calorie low carb diet. Diabetes is a serious illness, and each diabetic has different needs. If you have diabetes, it is especially important that you carefully select the right diet to suit you. To help you with this life-changing decision, we take a look at some of the vital things you should know before you start an 1800 calorie diabetic diet.
Seek Medical Advice
\"1200 Calorie Diabetic Diet\"
The golden rule is: always consult your doctor or health care practitioner before starting any new diet. Your health care provider can help you calculate your individual daily calorie requirements, which is important to consider before you commit to an 1800 calorie diabetic diet plan. Everyone is different, and just because a low calorie diet works for some people, it may not work for everyone. It is important to closely monitor your blood sugar, potassium and medication dosage. If you are taking diabetes medication, it is vitally important that you consult your doctor, as dramatic changes to your diet could cause dangerously low blood glucose levels, known as hypoglycemia.
Is an 1800 Calorie Diabetic Diet the Way to Go?
As far as low calorie diets go, an 1800 calorie diabetic diet could be regarded as one of the more flexible diets. Compared to other diets, it allows you to eat enough so that you feel more satisfied, while still restricting your calorie intake. However, the downside is that weight loss may be much slower than other low calorie diets, such as a 1200 calorie diet. The diabetes diet plans offered by Medifast, which have shown to be highly successful, actually don't include an 1800 calorie diabetic diet plan.
The plans available include the "Medifast 5 & 1 Plan for Diabetes" (800 - 1000 calories per day), or the "Medifast 4 & 2 & 1 Plan" (1100 - 1300 calories per day), or the "Medifast 5 & 2 & 2 Plan" (1400 - 1600 calories per day). (The numbers in the plan names refer to how many of each type of Medifast meal.) The fact that some popular weight loss programs, such as Medifast, don't offer an 1800 calorie diabetic diet, could suggest that this amount of calories tends to produce less successful weight loss results.
Personalize Your Plan
As a diabetic, your individual condition may be very different to another diabetic's. What's more, your daily calorie requirements and weight loss goals, may also be very different. For this reason, it's important to work closely with your dietitian or health care provider, to find out what your particular needs are and develop a personalized plan. Many diet programs also provide customized plans that may be very beneficial, so feel free to shop around, but always check with your doctor before you commit!
1800 Calorie Diabetic Diet - What You Should Know Before You Start
Click here to find more information about the Medifast diet and the 1800 Calorie Diabetic Diet as well as tips and advice on successfully losing weight.