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. If you have diabetes, it is especially important that you carefully select the right diet to suit you. To help you find out more information, we take a look at some of the things you should know before you start an 1800 calorie diabetic diet.
As you may be aware, there are two main types of diabetes, but even people who are the same type, can have very different needs. For this reason, it’s important to always consult your doctor or health care practitioner before starting a diabetes diet. Some weight loss plans, such as the Medifast diet plan, provide access to a health coach or dietitian who can help you calculate your individual daily calorie requirements. This way you can determine if an 1800 calorie diabetic diet plan will be right for you. If you are taking diabetes medication, it is very important that you consult your doctor, as dramatic changes to your diet could cause low blood glucose levels, known as hypoglycemia.
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 reason why some popular weight loss programs, such as Medifast, don’t offer an 1800 calorie diabetic diet outright, is probably simply because this amount of calories produces less rapid weight loss results.
However, if you find that your personal requirements are at least 1800 calories per day, the helpful staff at Medifast, or another leading weight loss program, may be able to work out a customized plan for you. Just remember to always check with your doctor before you start an 1800 calorie diabetic diet.