1200 Calorie ADA Diet

If your looking for a 1200 calorie ADA diet, you may be surprised to learn that there is not a specific 1200 calorie diet endorsed by the American Diabetes Association.

Even though it has been proven that losing weight can help lower blood sugar levels and improves overall health, if you are diabetic, it is best to talk with your doctor about a weight loss plan for you. Dieting can be difficult enough for those who don't have diabetes, but weight loss plans for diabetics have to take into consideration things like:

• Blood sugar
• Insulin
• Medications

It's not as simple as saying, "I'm going to follow the 1200 calorie ADA diet."

If the ADA did recommend a specific 1200 calorie diet plan it would not only include cutting calories but would also include the addition of regular exercise to your daily life. The National Institute of Health reports that according to a study they conducted, "[…] if someone with diabetes loses 5 percent to 10 percent of their weight, they will significantly reduce their blood sugar."

Most diabetics know there are benefits to losing weight, but the actual losing of the weight is not quite as simple as it sounds. In fact, many overweight diabetics find it difficult to lose weight. To throw their hands up in surrender and do nothing puts them at a higher risk for heart disease, hypertension and other chronic health conditions, and to continue life with the extra weight also requires them to take more insulin.

In desperation, it can be tempting to fall prey to fad diets and their hype about losing weight fast, but that is not the answer. Diabetics need exercise and a healthy balanced diet to help get their blood sugar under control during the weight loss process. With all the health factors involved, any weight loss attempt a diabetic follows should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Talk to your doctor or dietician before starting any diet or weight loss plan.

• Don't skip meals. Eat small meals spread throughout the day. Skipping meals can prove harmful to a diabetic, and may even be counterproductive in your weigh loss attempts. If you skip meals often, it will actually make your blood sugar drop and your body will respond by holding onto the body fat.

• Eat lower fat foods. This is easier than ever with all the low-fat options available on store shelves. Reducing fat will cut calories from your diet. As a result, you'll drop unwanted weight.

• Use artificial sweeteners or no sweeteners at all.

• Limit sugar free desserts. Even though they are lower in sugar they are often high in fat. These are empty calories you'll want to avoid if you are trying to lose weight.

• Regular exercise --this is another question for you to ask your doctor. Not every form of exercise is right for each person's situation. Your doctor will know your medical history, overall health and what is best for a diabetic person of your age and how to keep your blood sugar stabilized.

While these guidelines are basic in nature, your doctor can fill in the specifics. The American Diabetes Association says that losing even ten or 15 pounds provides possible benefits like:

• Lowering blood sugar
• Reducing blood pressure
• Improved cholesterol levels
• Less stress on hips, knees, ankles, and feet

Our logic tells us that skipping a meal will help us lose weight, but for a diabetic this can change the balance of blood sugar, insulin and medications you may be taking. If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of eating several times throughout the day, designing your own diabetic menu, and trying to stay within a calorie limit, you may want to ask your doctor about some of the low-calorie diet plans that offer meals with the diabetic in mind such as:

• Medifast
• Nutrisystem Diabetic

If you can't afford this option, everything you need for a healthy, low cal diabetic diet can be found on your grocery store shelves. Talk with your doctor about how many calories are right for you and make up your own meal plans. It helps to make large amounts and to store them in single serving containers in the freezer. This way, you're equipped to eat the suggested small meals throughout the day, lose weight and hold onto some of the money in your pocket.

Christine Gerbstadt, MD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association suggests cutting 500 calories from your daily diet "is safe for someone with diabetes." Along with this she recommends a healthy ratio of carbs, fat and protein. To learn more, visit the American Diabetes Association website.

• Top Ten Worst Foods
• Fruits and Vegetables that Lower Blood Pressure
• Diet for a Pear Shape
• Fast Food Statistics
• Healthy Food Myths Quiz

• The Lemonade Diet
• Weight Watchers Points Calculators
• 1200 Calorie Menus
• Weight Watchers Points
• Weight Watchers Restaurant Points

• Category:Diabetic Diet
• Calories Needed to Maintain Weight
• Category:Calorie Restricted Diet
• Main Page
• 1200 Calorie Diet