Diabetic 1200 calorie diets are very strict and rather hard to hold to. How do I know? I’m a diabetic AND my doctor put me on a 1200 calorie diet.

I will show you what a 1200 calorie diet consists of, then show you what a 1800 calorie diet consists of. You choose which is right for you.

If you believe you can stick with 1200 calories and be successful, then this is what you must do. I however found it was too limited, which made me prone to cheat.

What I did instead was plan around a diabetic 1800 calorie diet and increase my exercise/activity. If you feel you can not maintain a good amount of exercise/activity, the 1200 calorie diet would be best for you.

With either diet you need to aim for 3 small meals and 2-3 small snacks a day consisting of 50% calories from carbohydrates, 20% from protein and 30% from fat.

- Diabetic 1200 Calorie Diet Example -

Breakfast
½ cup oatmeal
1 small piece of fruit
8oz glass of skim milk

Lunch
Turkey/cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread
(2oz turkey breast, 1oz cheese, 2 slices whole wheat bread, lettuce, tomato, 1Tbs mustard or mayo)
1 small piece of fruit

Supper
3oz piece of lean meat
1 cup veggies
small dry potato or 2/3 cup brown rice

Snack 1
½ banana
20 Almonds

Snack 2
8oz low-fat yogurt

The major change to food to make them a Recipe for Diabetics is to remove any fat except olive oil, remove all sugar and use sugar substitutes, add fiber, and use lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Keep in mind that while many healthy recipes for Diabetics are fairly simple and fast to make, some may be more complex and take a little longer.

Because of the high sugar content of most desserts, many diabetics feel they would have to give them up. However, there are many Diabetic Dessert Recipes that are safe to eat, such as a diabetic cake recipe or a diabetic cookie recipe.

There are also many diabetic safe breads, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and any other food category you can think of.

Some of these recipes may incorporate small amounts of refined sugar per serving, while some may be Sugar free Recipes. Recipes with refined sugar may not be suitable for all people with diabetes.

Some recipes may also be high in fiber (i.e. more than 5 grams). For some diabetics, carbohydrates from fiber sources may have a more blunted effect on their blood glucose levels. Your Healthcare Provider will be the best person to tell you whether or not you need to adjust your insulin to carbohydrate ratio if much of the carbohydrate you’re eating is fiber.

Changing What You Eat

For those who are living with diabetes or watching their weight, there are some fairly simple things that you can alter in many of your current recipes to make them safe and healthy.

You can remove foods that have a high glycemic index or that might contribute to heart disease, from your daily diet.

In particular, foods such as potatoes, corn, refined white flour products (pasta, noodles, pastries, cakes) should be reduced or avoided completely in Diabetic Recipes.

In addition, certain types of fat are particularly unhealthy for the diabetic, including hydrogenated oils or fats (trans fats) which have actually been associated with the development of diabetes.

Animal fats such as butter, full fat cheeses and other dairy products should be reduced and low fat or non-fat products used instead.

Now of course you’ve heard all of this before and maybe it’s boring but if you want to keep yourself or your diabetic relative/partner healthy, then these are the basics.

Excellent Foods to Enclude In Recipes

In a healthy recipe for Diabetics, you want to use low glycemic foods such as most vegetables, fish, low fat meats and dairy products. Fish, in particular, is a very healthy food for the diabetic because of the high percentage of DHA fatty acids found in them.

Wild caught salmon and sardines are best. These fish, when eaten a couple of times per week, help to prevent heart disease and prostate cancer. A recent study done in Japan showed that people whose main protein food is fish, have a very low rate of heart disease.

Beans and other legumes, such as lentils are excellent foods for diabetics.

For protein, you can add tofu when cooking or a bit of low fat cheese when you serve it.

Vegetables to include in Recipes for Diabetics are chard, kale, spinach, lettuce (especially romaine), celery, cucumber and most vegetables. Salads are very healthful; use olive oil in the dressing with lemon or vinegar and any herbs or spices that you like.

To be absolutely sure about what to eat and what not to eat, you and your dietitian should work together to design a meal plan that’s right for you AND includes foods that you enjoy.

Diet is the key to good health for everyone. Eating healthy is choosing a wide variety of foods containing a balance of proteins, fat and carbohydrates. You do not need to eat only certain foods or follow a strict meal plan.

Your diet should consist of fruits, whole grains and vegetables as well as small portions low-fat dairy and lean meat. This type of meal is not only healthy for Diabetics, but also for those wanting to maintain a low-fat, low-calorie diet.

Why is eating Carbohydrates good for you?

Your main source of energy comes from carbohydrates. In order to supply your organs with enough energy to function, you must consume at least 130 grams of carbohydrates each day.

If you think all carbohydrates are the same, your wrong. There are two types of carbohydrates, complex and simple. What are simple carbohydrates? They are natural sugars found in milk products, fruits and some vegetables. Make sure when choosing dairy products, you choose ones that are low-fat or fat-free.

So then what are complex carbohydrates? Complex carbohydrates are found in grains, starches and legumes.

Why is eating the right amount of protein important?

If you eat too little protein it can cause you to feel tired and unable to function properly. If this goes on for too long, it can have serious effects on your body such as muscle loss, malnutrition and a poor immune system.

Eating too much protein is not healthy either. Too much protein can increase your risk for gout. It also puts un-needed stress on your liver and kidneys when trying to process the excess protein.

Always choose healthy proteins that do not contain a lot of unhealthy fats. For healthy woman the RDA (recommended daily allowence) for protein is at least fourty-six grams a day, for men it is at least fifity-eight grams per day.

What about fat?

There is healthy and unhealthy fat. Healthy fats (monounsaturated) can be found in olive, canola and peanut oils. Unhealthy fats (polyunsaturated) can be found in whole grains, fatty fish, corn and soybean oil. A small amount of each fat is needed in the diet each day to help fuel the body’s cells.

When choosing a healthy diabetic foods list, the most important things to remember would be:

Include foods you like.
Watch your portion size.
Have a balanced amount of carbohydrate, protein, and fat each meal.
Keep a fair amount of activities and exercise.

This will help you keep your blood sugar under control and maintain a healthy weight.

Persons with type 2 diabetes symptoms usually don’t know they have diabetes unless certain test are conducted, like:

* Food fasting blood glucose level diagnosed. If higher than 126 mg/dL on two occasions, diabetes is assumed.
* Oral glucose tolerance test diagnosed. If glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours, diabetes is assumed.

In order to be aware of type 2 diabetes symptoms I have listed some below:

* Excessive passing of urine
* Constant thirst
* Tiredness
* Blurred vision
* Itchy skin around your genitals or regular infections like thrush
* Dry skin
* Slow healing of infections
* Weight gain or weight loss
* Erectile dysfunction
* Increase in appetite

If you have a family history of diabetes, it is recommended that you undergo glucose tests every 3 months. Expect the doctor to check on you the following:

- Blood pressure
- Skin and bones on your feet
- Sensation on your feet
- Examine the back part of your eye with a special lighted instrument called Ophthalmoscope

The following tests will help you and your doctor to prevent and/or treat diabetes from further complications:

* Blood pressure goal should be 130/80 mm/Hg or lower to be checked annually.
* Hemoglobin count every 6 months if your diabetes is well controlled or every 3 months if not.
* Cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked annually and maintain LDL level below 100 mg/dL.
* Annual kidney test to make sure kidney is working properly.
* Eye check-up at least once a year, or more if you have signs of diabetic retinopathy.
* Dental check-ups every 6 months, for dental cleaning and exam.

If your type 2 diabetes symptoms are proven to be true, you will learn basic diabetes management skills, like:

- To test and record your blood glucose
- To know the proper diet best suitable for you.
- To take medication if needed
- To recognize and treat low and high blood sugar level
- To handle sick days
- Where to buy diabetes supplies when needed
- Self- monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)

When your family has a history of diabetes, it is best to know the risk factors that can trigger the development of pre-diabetes symptoms, such as the following:

* Family history of diabetes
* Impaired glucose level or metabolic syndrome (a combination of different types of medical disorder that can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes)
* Increased triglycerides levels
* Low levels of good cholesterol
* Overweight or obesity
* Women who had gestational diabetes or had high birth weight babies.
* Cardiovascular diseases like the following:

Angina – a pain felt in the chest due to insufficient blood supply to the heart.
Arrhythmia – an irregular rhythmic beating of the heart that may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death.
Atherosclerosis – the blood vessels narrow and harden through build-up of plaque in the walls of arteries. Plaques are made up of deposited fats and cholesterol.
Cardiomyopathy – a disease in which inflamed the heart muscles and doesn’t work well.
Congestive heart failure – heart’s pumping ability diminishes due to blockage or restriction of blood flow.
Coronary artery disease – refers to atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries.
Carotid artery disease – atherosclerosis is in the arteries that supply blood to the brain
Endocarditis – infection of the heart’s inner lining (endocardium) and valves.
Coronary thrombosis myocardial infarction known as heart attack – the heart muscles stop functioning due to loss of blood flow.
High blood pressure – the heart pumps blood in a loop through the body, out through the arteries, back through the veins.
Hypercholesterolemia – chronic high level of cholesterol in the blood.
Mitral valve prolapse – one or both valve flaps are enlarges and some of their supporting “string” may be too long.
Peripheral artery disease – occurs when arteries outside the heart and brain are blocked.
Stroke – occur when blood vessel that carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain are either blocked by a blood clot (thrombosis or embolism)or blood burst.

Determining the risk factors of pre-diabetes symptoms and avoiding them is the best method in the prevention of diabetes. Maintaining a good healthy diet plus exercise is the best way to avoid any kind of diseases to develop.

Type 1 Diabetes – developed due to the body becoming insulin dependent and/or unable to produce any insulin accompanied with the following possible causes:

* Infection with specific bacteria
* Exposure to food-borne chemical toxins
* Cow’s milk for infants as there are unidentified components that trigger an autoimmune reaction.

Type 2 Diabetes – caused by insufficient production of insulin. And when cells do not react to the insulin or become insulin resistant. Some other factors that cause the development of diabetes are:

* Increasing age
* Obesity
* Physical Inactivity
* Certain medicines
* Underlying illness that damages the pancreas and effects its ability to produce insulin. (like pancreatitis)

Gestational Diabetes – said to be caused by pregnancy. The placenta supplies a growing fetus with nutrients and water, as well as produces a variety of hormones to maintain the pregnancy. Some of the hormones can have a blocking effect on the insulin, which usually begins about 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Furthermore, gestational diabetes is a condition in which the glucose level is elevated and other diabetic symptoms appear during pregnancy. (commonly to a woman who is not already diagnosed with diabetes) In most cases symptoms disappear following delivery, but women with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life, especially if they were overweight before pregnancy.

The major cause of diabetes is wrong diet. Improper consumption of food nutrients, either too much or insufficient. And if you are diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor will recommend a diet that is best suitable for you. This will include what foods to eat and not to eat. It is very important to watch what we eat. It should be healthy food that nourish our body.

Taking precautions is a very wise move as diabetes is know to be an adult-onset disease. It is better to be safe than sorry later on.

Effects of Type 1 Diabetes

* Excessive thirst
* Increased urination
* Weight loss despite increase in appetite
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Abdominal pain
* Tiredness
* Absence of menstruation

Tests conducted to determine of the patient is diabetic;

* Urinalysis it shows glucose and ketone bodies, blood test is required to confirmed the diagnosis
* Fasting blood glucose is 126 mg/dL
* Random blood glucose (non-fasting) exceeds 200 mg/dL
* Insulin test
* C-peptide test

Since type 1 diabetes has no known cure yet, the objective of treatment is to prevent diabetes-related illness like blindness, kidney failure and amputation of limbs. The goal of the treatment can be accomplished through educating diagnosed patients with meal planning, weight control, exercise, foot care, insulin use and self-testing of blood glucose level.

Insulin – injected into the body to deliver insulin to the cells. It is used to lower blood sugar by leaving the blood stream and penetrating into the cells. Must be taken everyday.

Diet – requires consistency to allow food and insulin to work together to regulate blood glucose level. It is best to seek proper advice by a certified dietitian for the specific foods to eat and the amount of “dietary control for diabetics.”

Exercise – regular exercise is very important to the type 1 diabetes patient because it helps to control the amount of sugar in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fats to achieve their required weight.

Self-testing – monitoring of blood glucose by checking glucose content from a small amount of blood. Must be done on a regular basis. The results will help the patient and doctor to decide the proper medication, adjust in calorie count diet, and exercise to work together for better control.

Foot care – necessary as most patients are prone to foot problems due to complication related-illness. Diabetes causes damage of blood vessels and nerves which result in a decreasing ability to sense trauma or pressure on the foot. A small infection can rapidly progress because diabetes alters the bodies immune system resulting in decreasing the body’s ability to fight infection. Possible amputation of the affected limb may occur.

In the 16th century, Paracelsus identifies diabetes as a serious general disorder. French physician, Bouchardat, noticed the disappearance of glycosuria in his diabetes patients during rationing of food in Paris. He then formulated an idea of individualized diets for his diabetic patients, in 1870.

Paul Langerhans, a German medical student, announces in a dissertation that the pancreas contains two systems of cells. One secretes the normal pancreatic juice. The function of other one is unknown. Several years later it was identified as the “islet of Langerhans.”

19th century

In the 19th century, French researcher Claude Bernard studies the workings of the pancreas and the glycogen metabolism of the liver.

A Czech researcher, I.V. Pavlov discovers the links between the nervous system and gastric secretion. He makes a very good contribution of the Physiology of the digestive system.

“Fad diabetes diet” is introduce that includes “oat-cure” a diet made up of oatmeal, milk diet, rice cure , potato therapy and even the use of opium.

In 1908 a German scientist, Georg Zuelzer develops the first injectable pancreatic extract to surpass glycosuria, but there are extreme side effects to the treatment.

Frederick Madison Allen, publishes ” Studies Concerning Glycosuria and Diabetes” in 1913, a book which is a significant for the revolution in diabetes therapy. And in 1919 the first treatment clinic in the USA, the Physiatric Institute in New Jersey was established, to treat patient with diabetes, high blood pressure and Bright’s disease by Allen.

“Insulin” is discovered as treatment for diabetes. Oral drugs are introduced to help lower blood glucose levels. And it was 1959 when two major types of diabetes are recognized: Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent). Blood glucose meters and insulin pumps are developed. Laser therapy is used to help slow or prevent blindness in people with diabetes.

In 1993 “Diabetes Control and Complications Trial” (DCCT) reports are published. It demonstrates intensive therapy and delays the onset and progression of long-term complications in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Lastly in 1998 “The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study” (UKPDS) is published, results show that clearly identify the importance of good glucose control and good blood pressure control in the delay and /or prevention of complication in Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease because of its harmful effects on the body. Half the people who have it don’t even realize they have it.

Every year nearly 170,000 Americans die from diabetes.

There are two reasons that diabetes causes a problem for the human body. Either the body has insensitivity to the insulin produced, or the body cannot produce enough.

In a healthy body, glucose is derived from the food we eat and insulin transports it into cells where it provides energy for daily life. Diabetes prevents the glucose from entering the body’s cells and thus it simply stays in the blood unable to complete its function. High levels of glucose in the blood can cause damage to many of the body’s organs and requires immediate attention.

The good news is that diabetes, while not curable, can be treated. With early diagnosis, many of its complications can be avoided.

Types of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. Type 1 usually affects children and young adults. It’s when the body does not make any insulin.

Type 2 ordinarily affects adults over 45. With type 2 diabetes the body does not make enough insulin. (Insulin is a hormone needed to change sugar, starches and other food into energy.)

Gestational diabetes can develop in women during pregnancy. This happens when a pregnant woman’s body can’t make and use all of the insulin needed during the pregnancy. Otherwise known as hyperglycemia.

The most common type of diabetes is type 2. Of the total people who have diabetes, 95 percent have type 2. Even if you have no signs of diabetes, it is wise to consult a doctor if your children or any other blood relative has diabetes or any sign(s) of diabetes.

Signs of Diabetes In Youths And Adults

Vision changes, frequent urination, a constant feeling of thirst, fatigue or extreme weight loss are all signs of diabetes. While the disease can manifest in any person, Hispanics, African Americans and American Indians are more prone to develop it.

There are also many risk factors for the condition, including having a child over 9 pounds, being over 45 years old, having a parent with the disease, or weighing 20% more than you should for your height and sex. Lack of exercise is another large risk factor for diabetes.

Diabetes in children and teens is known as Juvenile diabetes. There are a variety of symptoms for juvenile diabetes, including dramatic weight loss, extreme thirst, often for sweet or cold drinks, hunger beyond normal, weakness, feeling of tiredness, vision changes, restlessness or irritability, frequent urination or bed wetting, and nausea or vomiting. In the worst cases, diabetic coma may be the initial sign of Type I diabetes. Unsurprisingly, children experiencing these symptoms may have difficulty in school.

Diabetics not only suffer from the disease itself, but can also suffer from complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and amputations. In the extreme, it can even result in death. Therefore, it is critical to recognize any signs of diabetes as soon as they appear.

Diabetics have poor circulation in their extremities. It doesn’t take much to injure a foot and not even realize it. Many foot injuries can and most often do go un-noticed, causing infection. Therefore you need to examine your feet regularly for any injuries or changes in appearance.

A really good way to improve circulation is by exercise and walking. Not only does this help improve circulation, but it helps lower blood sugar levels by speeding up your metabolism.

Keeping your toenails trimmed will help prevent infections from occuring. Also, many diabetics find they have extremely dry or scaly feet. Applying a moisturizer daily will help take care of this.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

If you develop a foot ulcer, you should inform your doctor about it immediately. Failure to treat it properly may cause gangrene to set in; resulting in part, or in the worst case, all of your foot being amputated.

With a foot ulcer you must keep it clean and remove any dead tissue. Only walk on it when necessary. Continuously walking on the infected foot will slow down the healing process.

Be sure to inspect the ulcer frequently for any changes or signs that it is not healing properly. Make sure to inform your doctor of any changes.

You should always be aware of what your feet look like and check them regularly. Last thing you want to do is loose part if not all of your foot.