The 1500 Calorie American Diabetic Diet

Well look no further, because we can give you some tips on how to stick to just such a diet plan.

A diabetic diet should try to follow the food pyramid that has been outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture, and tweaked by the American Diabetes Association.

This daily pyramid suggests:

• Six to eleven servings of beans, grains and other starches a day
• Three to five servings of vegetables
• Two to four servings of fruit
• Four to six ounces of meat or meat substitutes
• Two to three servings of dairy and
• Fats, oils and sweets only as a special treat.

This pyramid should be reflected in your 1500 calorie American diabetic diet.

When considering the pyramid more closely, your 1500 calorie American diabetic diet will not stretch far enough if you are trying to eat at the high end of each food category.

For example, when it suggests six to eleven servings of beans, grains and other starches, you will need to be at the six serving end.

You will want to be sure that the items you are choosing for your 1500 calorie diabetic diet are the most beneficial for you, and also use your calories wisely.

For instance, you should aim for two to four servings of meat or meat substitutes each day.

If you choose a rib eye steak, you will blow more than a third of your day’s calories.

Instead, if you choose a boneless skinless chicken breast you will only use about 140 calories.

Because vegetables are so nutritious, yet low in calories, you will want to aim high on the servings – five since it says three to five servings.

A sample day for someone following a 1500 calorie diabetic diet could include:

• Two slices of wheat toast with two tablespoons of grape jelly (190 calories)
• A six ounce glass of cranberry juice (90 calories) and
• Half a grapefruit (42 calories) for breakfast.

Total for the meal, 322 calories.

A midmorning snack could consist of:

• Medium banana, at 105 calories and
• An ounce of low fat pretzels, 110 calories.

Lunch options include:

• A large salad consisting of:

• Three cups of lettuce
• Two cups of chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, tomato, green pepper) on top and
• Balsamic vinegar.

Total salad calories, 60.

Add a cup of:

• Split pea soup with ham for 185 calories
• A dinner roll for 84 calories and
• A glass of skim milk (one cup, 86 calories).

Your total for the day so far for your 1500 calorie American diabetic diet is 952.

When hunger strikes in the afternoon you can stop it in its tracks with a low fat granola bar, clocking in at 118 calories.

For dinner try some:

• Salmon (three ounces, 175)
• A cup of egg noodles with a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese (235 calories) and
• A cup of steamed broccoli (30 calories).

You’ve now come in at 1510 calories for your 1500 calorie American diabetic diet (maybe you can leave a couple bites on your plate along the way!)

By following this type of diet and the steps below, you will be well on your way to overcoming your weight issues and getting your diabetes under control.

Just remember, it takes time to lose weight. Hang in there! You can do it!