Diabetics have to follow certain restrictions once they find about their condition. Because it is a chronic condition, you have no choice but to follow certain guidelines, especially regarding lifestyle modifications and diet. Uncontrolled diabetes is a very strong risk factor for other diseases and may give you increased risk of renal failure, heart disease and neuro-ischemic foot ulcers.
To control diabetes, it is not enough just to rely on the medications prescribed by the doctors. You will have to undergo a total overhaul of your lifestyle, from increasing your exercise to controlling your diet. Diabetics have to control their blood sugar - it is the excess of blood sugar in the bloodstream that is responsible for a lot of the sequelae of diabetes. You will have to take responsibility and start shaping up your life.
One good way to start your lifestyle modifications is the control of your daily caloric intake. If your caloric intake is too much, you will not be able to control your blood sugar. As such, doctors refer diabetic patients to dieticians who come up with meal plans that will help you lose weight and control your diabetes. Sticking you your diet will be very important: it is a test of willpower and discipline, so you should be prepared to fight a lot of cravings, especially if you're coming from a high calorie diet that may have been the cause of your diabetes in the first place.
Here are some tips for you to follow that 2000 calorie diabetic diet:
- Instead of just cutting down on your food, you should eat smarter. Go for small and frequent feedings rather than just three big meals a day. It will be better for you into three meals and two to three snacks a day. This will be better for diabetics, because it will put your blood sugar to more constant and controllable levels instead of just spiking after meals.
- Be more aware of serving sizes. You will have to follow serving sizes when counting calories, so check the website of the FDA for more information. For the foods you will usually eat, try to find out their caloric value so you know how much of each you can eat everyday.
- Consult a dietician to learn about what foods you can and cannot eat. Diabetics are advised to avoid sugar-rich foods, or foods that are full of simple sugars (like sweets, chocolates and soft drinks), so you should be aware of what you have to avoid. A dietician will also be helpful for you to be able to find substitutes for these foods that you will have to avoid.
- Follow a food plan every day. You should be able to create a weekly food plan and stick to it. This will help you control your diet better and your blood sugar as well. If you plan to eat something else in the middle of the day, be sure to make up for it in other meals. Remember, you will be gunning to keep your diet within the 2000 calorie limit.
Following and creating a diet is not easy, but it is possible. Try to stick to your meal plan for at least two to three weeks. If you have enough willpower and discipline to tide you over this trying time, you will not only get used to the diabetic diet, you will come to enjoy it as well.