Type 2 diabetes management usually includes a diet plan. Many times, people with diabetes are advised to lose weight as well as keep track of daily carbs.
There are a lot of different diets out there: some recommend low-fat eating, some say that eating low-carb/high-protein is the way to go and other diets say you should eat the "right" carbs and proteins in the "right" combinations. There are diets that concentrate on only eating certain foods at certain times and diets that bring the food to you, so you don't have to think at all.
The one diet concept that seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle, though, is the lowly calorie. In the days before designer diets, people counted calories. If they wanted to reduce their weight, they ate fewer calories or exercised more to burn off some of those extra calories.
The principles of today's diet plans are better than the old diets of the '60s and '70s, because newer science tells us to concentrate on lean proteins, whole grains and increased vegetables and fruits -- and that's a good thing.
We can't forget that calories count too, though. Just because something says, "low-fat," does not mean that it is low calorie. Also, just because a diet calls for bacon, eggs and butter (hold the toast) doesn't mean that we can ignore the whopping calorie count that a diet of only protein and fat can rack up, if we're not careful.
A pound equals 3,500 calories. If we eat 3,500 more calories than our body needs to function, we will gain a pound. If we reduce our intake by 3,500 through calorie reduction and exercise, we will lose a pound. Using this formula, reducing our calorie intake by 500 calories a day, will help us lose a pound a week, no matter what diet plan we follow.
Portion size and exercise play a role in keeping track of calories, which are burned off by exercise giving us another good way to control them.
So, whatever the diet plan, it's best to be aware that total daily calories still play an important role in weight loss.
Arm Yourself With Calorie Knowledge
Using online tools like About.com's Calorie Count Plus can help you keep track of calories, exercise and more. If you have a cell phone that can send text messages or access the web, try Calorie Count Mobile. This free service allows you to look up nutritional information for thousands of foods and menu items on the go.
