Diabetic Diet Calories

If you have diabetes, your body cannot make or properly use insulin. This leads to high blood glucose, or sugar, levels in your blood. Healthy eating helps to reduce your blood sugar. It is a critical part of managing your diabetes, because controlling your blood sugar can prevent the complications of diabetes. In the Diabetic Diet, the Diabetic Diet Calories are balanced in the diet, which limits calories (sugar and carbohydrates) and includes eating often to keep blood sugar levels balanced throughout the day.

Diabetic Diet, Daily Calories and Serving Sizes

1200-1600 Calorie Diabetic Diet

Have about 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day if you are:

- a small woman who exercises
- a small or medium woman who wants to lose weight
- a medium woman who does not exercise much

Choose this many servings from these food groups to have 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day:

6 starches
2 milk and yogurt
3 vegetables
2 meat or meat substitute
2 fruit
Up to 3 fats

Talk with your diabetes teacher to make a meal plan that fits the way you usually eat, your daily routine, and your diabetes medicines. Then make your own plan.

1600-2000 Calorie Diabetic Diet

Have about 1,600 to 2,000 calories a day if you are:

- a large woman who wants to lose weight
- a small man at a healthy weight
- a medium man who does not exercise much
- a medium to large man who wants to lose weight

Choose this many servings from these food groups to have 1,600 to 2,000 calories a day:

8 starches
2 milk and yogurt
4 vegetables
2 meat or meat substitute
3 fruit
Up to 4 fats

Talk with your diabetes teacher to make a meal plan that fits the way you usually eat, your daily routine, and your diabetes medicines. Then make your own plan.

2000-2400 Calorie Diabetic Diet

Have about 2,000 to 2,400 calories a day if you are

- a medium to large man who does a lot of exercise or has a physically active job
- a large man at a healthy weight
- a large woman who exercises a lot or has a physically active job

Choose this many servings from these food groups to have 2,000 to 2,400 calories a day:

11 starches
2 milk and yogurt
4 vegetables
2 meat or meat substitute
3 fruit
Up to 5 fats

Talk with your diabetes teacher to make a meal plan that fits the way you usually eat, your daily routine, and your diabetes medicines. Then make your own plan.

SOURCE: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2002. Website: www.niddk.nih.gov/

Health Disclaimer - The diabetic diet information and advice offered above is intended as a general guide ONLY. If you have diabetes, please consult your doctor about the best way to handle your condition. Diabetes is a serious condition which requires personal, professional advice.