1200 Calorie Diabetic Diet Plan – Menu and Guidelines

Following a 1200 calorie diabetic diet plan is a good way to get in control of diabetes mellitus. "Calorie diets are helpful for people with diabetes. The principle behind a calorie diabetic diet is controlling daily calorie intake and thus reducing weight and maintaining blood glucose levels."(1)

Guidelines for following a 1200 calorie diabetic diet plan

When you follow specific diabetic meal plans 1200 diet calories can be very satisfying, but there are some guidelines to consider.

1. Space your eating through out the day by consuming 4 to 6 small meals.
2. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time.
3. Don’t over complicate your diet, start by focusing on meeting the 1200 calories limit.
4. Take your time, slow down and enjoy the food.
5. Think whole foods for healthier choices. Whole pieces of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lean meats, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy will be staples of your diabetes food guide.
6. Limit foods high in saturated fats and calories.
7. Limit foods high in sugar.

A sample 1200 calorie diabetic diet plan menu

Knowing the guidelines to follow is helpful but sometimes the clearest explanation comes in the form of an actual menu that adds up to 1200 calories. Feel free to follow the sample 1200 calorie diabetic diet plan below or modify some of the food choices to suit your taste.

Breakfast

150 calories - small size plain bagel
190 calories – 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
0 calories – Coffee, black

Total calories from breakfast = 340

Morning Snack

80 calories – one medium size piece of fruit

Total calories from morning snack = 80

Lunch

140 calories – 3 ounces of turkey (white meat)
100 calories – large salad with tomato, onion, carrots, and celery
20 calories - 2 Tablespoons fat free salad dressing
0 calories – unsweetened ice tea

Total calories from lunch = 260

Afternoon Snack

80 calories – one medium size piece of fruit

Total calories from afternoon snack = 80

Dinner

140 calories – 3 ounces of chicken breast
170 calories – 1 cup cooked pasta
70 calories – ½ cup pasta sauce
50 calories – small side salad
10 calories – 1 Tablespoon fat free salad dressing
0 calories – diet soda

Total calories from dinner = 440

This 1200 calorie diabetic diet plan can help you lose weight while controlling your blood sugar levels but every diabetic patient is different and will react differently to change in diet. For this reason it is important to discuss this diet or any dietary change with your doctor.

(1) AAPSCOT Culinary research for diabetes (2009). Calorie diabetic diet exchange. Retrieved from http://www.aapscot.org/calorie-diabetic-diet-exchange-list/

 

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