Maintaining the 1800 calorie diabetic diet

If you've recently been diagnosed with diabetes - and since nearly one in four Americans are now living with diabetes, there is a chance you have been - you probably need to adjust your diet. One of the best ways to do that is to start counting calories, and for an adult male 1800 calories is about right for an entire day.

The 1800 calorie diabetic diet, then, is what you're looking for. In this diet you're going to be taking steps to reduce fats, carbohydrates and overall calories. If you can do this, you'll be well on your way to managing this insidious illness.

Carbohydrates are the energy givers of the food world. Your body breaks them down into glucose, which is a type of sugar that produces energy. When you have diabetes, your body either does not manage glucose correctly or does not produce enough insulin to adjust your body's response to the processing of this vital nutrient.

So it is important to monitor every bit of what you eat, and especially avoid super-sweet processed sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup and, instead, focus on natural sweets like fruits or certain vegetables. Processed foods tend to be less nutritious and more calorie laden than natural foods anyway, so the 1800 calorie diabetic diet is one that will focus more on what you can find in nature than what you can find in the snack food aisle at the store.

I mentioned before that you'll be cutting down on your fat intake too, and that will go a long way to helping your condition improve. If you are overweight, your body stores fats, proteins and sugars differently than someone who is fit. The best way to get your body back to a natural state - or as close to its natural state as you can - is to get yourself down to a weight more appropriate for your height, build and age. Your body can only do so much to compensate for high fat contents in your diet, so be aware of that the next time you order the burger and fries or the creamy ranch dressing.

Other stapes of the 1800 calorie diabetic diet are lean proteins like chicken, turkey, fish and nuts. All of these are low-fat proteins that your body can process easily. They're also lower in calories than, say, beef or pork, so you're getting more bang for your buck. Be sure, however, that you consult your doctor on which type of nuts to eat. Almonds, for example, are almost always ok. Peanuts and cashews less so, as they include a higher fat content than most other nuts.

Once you have a coherent diet plan, the most important thing is to stick to it. No diet in the world only works on paper; you have to make it a part of your life and live it every day.