The 1800 Calorie Meal Plan For Diabetics is especially designed for anyone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. A proper meal plan is one of the best ways to make sure you get the nutrition you need. Eating balanced meals can be crucial when you’re diabetic. Diabetes is one of the most serious disease, which requires total monitoring of blood sugar level. With this meal plan, you can maintain a healthy diet.
Sample Diabetes 1800-Calorie Meal Plan
One Day of Tasty and Well-Balanced Meals
You might be looking for a decent diabetic diet meal plan if you have just been diagnosed with diabetes or a collection of illnesses that affect the body’s capacity to control blood sugar.
Diabetes sufferers must regulate and restrict their intake of carbs, a substance that raises blood sugar levels. By doing this, you can lessen your risk of developing major medical diseases including heart conditions while also assisting with blood sugar control.
A sample menu for a diabetic diet of 1800 calories is provided in this article.
The American Diabetes Association recommends the following goals for people two hours after eating:
- Non-pregnant adults: Less than 180 mg/dL
- Pregnant individuals with gestational diabetes: 120 mg/dL or less
- Pregnant individuals with pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes: 120 mg/dL to 129 mg/dL
What Does an 1800-Calorie Diabetic Diet Look Like?
It’s crucial to remember that not everyone responds well to every food plan. The entire amount of carbohydrates in this meal plan can be too much for some folks. A lower carbohydrate diet may be advantageous for some diabetics.
A 1,800-calorie diet was the focus of the creation of this specific meal plan. It has three meals with a carbohydrate limit, one snack, and one dessert, for a total of around 1,800 calories.
Carbohydrate Recommendations
Individuals with diabetes should get about half of their calories from carbs.3 In an 1800-calorie diet, about 900 calories can come from carbs.
Calorie Recommendations
It is advisable to ascertain how many calories and carbohydrates you require to achieve your weight and blood sugar objectives before looking for meals and meal plans. To determine your ideal calorie and carbohydrate consumption as individual needs differ, schedule a consultation with a qualified dietitian or certified diabetes educator if you haven’t already.
Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast
Smoothies can be protein and vitamin-rich. When made with the right ingredients, they taste good and are a quick, filling breakfast option.
Breakfast smoothie (combine and blend until smooth):
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 3/4 cup mixed berries
- 2 scoops protein powder
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
- 1/2 cup dried coconut
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nutrition facts: 560 calories, 27 g carbohydrate, 36 g saturated fat, 10 g sugar, 12 g fiber, 46 g protein
Diabetes-Friendly Lunch
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad:
- 1 cup chopped lettuce (spinach, mixed greens, romaine)
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 1/2 cup corn (roasted and cut from the cob or use frozen)
- 1/2 fresh avocado (diced)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil with balsamic vinegar
- 4 ounces of cooked chicken breast
Toss roasted corn, tomato, salad dressing, chicken, and avocado together while the corn is still warm. This will slightly melt the avocado and create a creamier dressing. Chill and serve over lettuce.
Drink 8 to 12 ounces of ice water with sliced lemon.
Nutrition facts: 538 calories, 24.8 g carbohydrate, 32 g fat, 5.2 g saturated fat, 4.9 g sugar, 40 g protein, 11 g fiber
Diabetes-Friendly Dinner
Grilled Chicken and Broccoli with Brown Rice
- 1 pre-packaged chicken breast (about 4 ounces, or you can also try salmon or lean beef)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 2 cups raw broccoli cut into spears (can substitute for frozen or another non-starchy vegetable)
- 2/3 cup cooked long-grain brown rice
- 3/4 cup of berries with 2 teaspoons of unsweetened whipped cream
Rub chicken breast with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper and garlic powder, and grill. Place broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl, pour a little water over the top and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 3-5 minutes, or until soft.
If you’d prefer not to use your microwave, steam broccoli in a saucepan with a small amount of water. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and garlic powder for flavor. Cook rice as per package instructions.
Savor the fruit and cream for dessert.
Nutrition facts: 615 calories, 62 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat, 5.2 g saturated fat, 5.8 g sugar, 53 g protein, 11.3 g fiber
Simple Snack Ideas
Try snacking on:
- 15 baby carrots or 1 small apple
- 1 hard-boiled egg or 1 ounce of popcorn
Nutrition facts: 138 calories, 12.6 g carbohydrate, 5.1 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 8 g sugar, 7.5 g protein, 4.5 g fiber
How to Know if Your Meal Plan Is Working
A good way to check to see if your meal plan works for you is to test your blood sugar before and two hours after a meal. Check to see how much your blood sugar has risen two hours after the start of your meal and compare your level to your recommended targets.
Summary
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may find it helpful to use meal plans to help you control your blood sugar levels. Speak with your healthcare provider about your exact blood sugar targets.
3-Day Diabetes Meal Plan: 1,800 Calories
In this healthy meal plan, delicious diabetes-friendly ingredients make balancing your blood sugar simple.

White-Bean, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
The cornerstone of managing diabetes is healthy nutrition, which can significantly improve blood sugar control and shield you from the disease’s long-term impacts. Delicious diabetes-friendly items in this 1,800-calorie meal plan make it easier to maintain blood sugar balance. Lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich complex carbohydrates (like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) are the main ingredients in meals and snacks while refined carbohydrates (like white bread, white rice, and added sugars), saturated fats, and sodium are kept to a minimum—a combination that is advised for people with diabetes.
Each meal contains 3-4 carb servings (45-60 grams of carbohydrates), and each snack contains roughly 1-2 carb servings, ensuring that the amount of carbohydrates consumed throughout the day is balanced (15-30 grams grams of carbohydrates). You can substitute meals with comparable nutritional value in and out as you like by referring to the calorie and carbohydrate counts next to each meal and snack. You’ll discover that eating with diabetes doesn’t have to be complicated or limited. This meal plan shows you can still enjoy delectable foods while maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. You can choose to adhere to this plan exactly as it is written or simply use it as inspiration for creating your own meal plan for diabetes. For further details on dining with diabetes, take sure to read the informative “Diabetes Tips” scattered throughout.
Day 1

Breakfast (542 calories, 36 g carbs)
- 2 servings Avocado-Egg Toast
Diabetes Tip: The carbohydrate and fiber content of store-bought breads can vary greatly. Aim for a bread that delivers around 1 carbohydrate serving (15 grams of carbs) and upwards of 20 percent of the daily value for fiber for one slice.
A.M. Snack (208 calories, 32 g carbs)
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1/4 cup muesli
Top yogurt with raspberries and muesli.
Lunch (458 calories, 47 g carbs)
- 1 serving Tomato, Cucumber & White-Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
- 10 seeded crackers
- 1/4 cup hummus
Diabetes Tip: Beans deliver a combination of a fiber, carbs and protein-a mix that helps to keep blood sugar balanced and helps you feel more satisfied.
P.M. Snack (62 calories, 15 g carbs)
- 1 medium orange
Dinner (537 calories, 64 g carbs)
- 1 serving Smoky Maple-Mustard Salmon
- 1 cup steamed green beans
- 1 cup Easy Whole-Wheat Couscous
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. sliced almonds
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Combine couscous with oil, almonds and parsley. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper.
Daily Totals: 1,806 calories, 91 g protein, 195 g carbohydrates, 49 g fiber, 82 g fat, 13 g sat. fat, 1,691 mg sodium.
Day 2

Breakfast (416 calories, 67 g carbs)
- 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup muesli
- 1 tsp. honey
Top yogurt with blueberries, muesli and honey.
Diabetes Tip: Rather than buying sugary flavored yogurt, add honey or maple syrup to plain yogurt-this allows you to control the amount of sugar you’re getting. Or go with a “light” option made with zero-calorie sweeteners. And rather than granola, which is often made with added sugar, go for sugar-free muesli as an alternative.
A.M. Snack (219 calories, 19 g carbs)
- 3 cups air-popped popcorn tossed in 1 Tbsp. olive oil and seasoned with salt to taste (1/8 tsp.)
Lunch (465 calories, 57 g carbs)
- 1 serving Tuna, White Bean & Dill Salad
- 10 seeded crackers
- 1 medium orange
P.M. Snack (210 calories, 30 g carbs)
- 1 medium banana
- 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
Dinner (489 calories, 39 g carbs)
- 1 serving Roast Chicken with Parmesan-Herb Sauce
Diabetes Tip: Pairing carbohydrates with protein and fiber slows down the digestion and absorption process, helping to keep your blood sugar from rising too quickly. Here we pair chicken with brown rice and broccolini for a balanced diabetes-friendly dinner.
Daily Totals: 1,799 calories, 98 g protein, 211 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 65 g fat, 10 g sat. fat, 1,534 mg sodium.
Day 3

Breakfast (423 calories, 69 g carbs)
- 3/4 cup rolled oats cooked 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 medium apple, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted almonds, chopped
- Ground cinnamon
Top oats with apple, almonds and ground cinnamon to taste (1/8 tsp.)
Diabetes Tip: Oats are a great high-fiber option for breakfast. The less processed the oat, the higher the fiber content-instead of instant oats, try old-fashioned, rolled or steel-cut oats. Old-fashioned oats take 10 minutes or so to cook, with heartier oats taking longer. If you’re feeling rushed in the mornings, try this recipe for overnight oats that can be heated up in the microwave or pull out your crock pot to make a bigger batch of creamy oats.
A.M. Snack (202 calories, 27 g carbs)
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted almonds, chopped
Lunch (467 calories, 50 g carbs)
- 1 serving Chipotle Ranch Egg Salad Wraps
- 10 seeded crackers
- 1/4 cup hummus
P.M. Snack (240 calories, 19 g carbs)
- 3 cups air-popped popcorn tossed in 1 Tbsp. olive oil and 1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
Dinner (468 calories, 28 g carbs)
- 1 serving Pork Paprikash with Cauliflower “Rice”
- 2 cups mixed salad greens dressed with 2 Tbsp. Citrus Vinaigrette
Diabetes Tip: While brown rice and other whole grains are healthy options for people with diabetes, cauliflower rice is a fun low-carb alternative.
Evening Snack (62 calories, 15 g carbs)
- 1 medium orange
Daily Totals: 1,801 calories, 80 g protein, 195 g carbohydrates, 45 g fiber, 84 g fat, 13 g sat. fat, 1,782 mg sodium.
1800-Calorie Diabetic Diet: Keeping Your Blood Sugar In Check And Your Diet On Track

Many diabetics are learning that when they stick to an 1800 calorie diabetic diet that’s low in sugar and carbohydrates, they can still indulge in delicious delicacies without the risks connected with them.
Even though this diet is a fantastic way to control your blood sugar, it can be incredibly challenging to decide what to eat for every meal. You can immediately start adhering to the 1800 calorie diabetic diet plan after reading this article, which will assist you in understanding its fundamentals. The most crucial aspect of any meal plan is understanding which meals are deemed healthy.
What Is The 1800-Calorie Diabetic Diet?
When you have diabetes, your body has to work harder to accomplish tasks that it used to do with ease. When someone develops diabetes, their pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin or their cells become resistant to it, which raises blood glucose levels. The 1800 calorie diabetic diet is specifically created for people who want to control their blood sugar levels while also losing weight.
How Does It Work?
The 1800 calorie diabetic diet takes into account how many calories a person with diabetes needs each day. Following are explanations of foods that should be consumed as well as items that should be avoided.
Find out how many calories you require each day as a first step. Each person’s should be different, so you can speak with your doctor to learn what yours should be. But it’s crucial to understand that cutting calories will help the body burn fat more quickly.
What Does The 1800-Calorie Diabetic Diet Consist Of?
The following will tell you which foods are needed on the diet menu and which ones need to be avoided at all costs.
Foods To Eat Regularly
The foods below are healthy and beneficial to people with diabetes. Including them in an 1800 calorie diabetic diet meal plan is recommended
Lean Meat
This is low in fat, and it can include beef, turkey, and chicken. White meat offers the most protein without having to worry about extra saturated fats in red meat. Grilled or baked meats are always better than fried foods.
Fresh Vegetables
You should eat plenty of fresh veggies each day without the sauce. Some examples include broccoli, carrots, spinach and lettuce. There are many others to choose from as well. Be sure that you do not overcook them because this will destroy all of their nutrients and vitamins. Salads are also a good choice on this diet because you can dress them with a low-calorie vinaigrette.
Whole Grains
Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and whole-grain pasta are all excellent options that should be included because they have great fiber content and will help to control your glucose levels as well
Protein
Eggs are high in protein and can be part of the 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu. They may also be eaten without the yolks, and this will only add to their already impressive nutritional profile. Fish is another good source of lean proteins that should be included regularly on your diet menu. An example would be salmon.
Healthy Fats
You should limit saturated fat and stick with unsaturated fat if you want to manage your diabetes symptoms. This would include olive oil, canola oil, or avocado. These healthier types of fats can also be found in fish, peanut butter, and nuts.
Foods To Avoid
The foods below are best avoided by diabetics
Processed Foods
Highly processed foods are filled with added sugars, saturated fats, sodium and other preservatives, and they will only cause your body to produce more insulin to get rid of the sugar and fat . You are also likely to gain weight if you eat a lot of ultra-processed foods, and this is something that you should avoid at all costs if you have diabetes.
Sugary Foods
This means that you need to refrain from soft drinks as well as cake, cookies, and candy. These foods do not contain any nutritional value and should be avoided as often as possible.
Fats
This would include foods that are fried in butter or other types of oils that contain saturated fat Examples would be French fries, chicken nuggets, and anything else deep-fried at a restaurant or when you order takeout. These foods will only add to your waistline, and they should not be included in any diabetic 1800 calorie diet meal plan.
Desserts
These are high in sugar and fat, and they need to be avoided as often as possible. If you must have a dessert, choose a frozen yogurt sundae or something that has fruit added to it. This is much better for you than a slice of banana cream pie or chocolate cake
1800-Calorie Diabetic Diet Meal Plan Sample
The 1800 calorie diabetic diet takes into account how many calories a person with diabetes needs each day. Following are explanations of foods that should be consumed as well as items that should be avoided.
Find out how many calories you require each day as a first step. Each person’s should be different, so you can speak with your doctor to learn what yours should be. But it’s crucial to understand that cutting calories will help the body burn fat more quickly.
Day One
- Breakfast: 3 whole wheat waffles with cinnamon, butter substitute with canola oil and saturated fat-free milk; a glass of orange juice
- Lunch: 2 turkey hotdogs (1 ounce each), 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 apple, 12 ounces low sodium vegetable soup
- Dinner: 8 ounces broiled pork chop, ½ cup cooked brown rice, 1 small baked potato with butter substitute, mixed green salad with lemon dressing
- Snacks: 2 tablespoons raisins; a glass of skim milk
- Total Calories: 1806 calories
Day Two
- Breakfast: 1 banana, 12 ounces low-fat fruit yogurt
- Lunch: 2 slices whole wheat bread with 1 tablespoon canola oil spread, lettuce, and tomato; a glass of low-fat milk
- Dinner: 8 ounces baked chicken breast without skin, ½ cup cooked brown rice, 6 asparagus spears steamed in butter substitute or olive oil spray
- Snacks: 1 medium-sized apple; a glass of skim milk
- Total Calories: 1766 calories
Day Three
- Breakfast: 2 poached eggs on top of whole wheat toast with 1 tablespoon canola oil spread. Choose from bacon, sausage, or Canadian bacon; a glass of orange juice
- Lunch: 8 ounces grilled chicken breast, ½ cup cooked brown rice mixed with ½ cup black beans, steamed in butter substitute
- Dinner: 8 ounces broiled salmon (skinless), 1 baked potato with butter substitute, mixed green salad with lemon dressing
- Snacks: 2 slices whole wheat bread spread with canola oil; a glass of skim milk
- Total calories: 1801 calories
Day Four
- Breakfast: 1 slice cinnamon raisin bread with 1 tablespoon canola oil spread, lettuce, and tomato; a glass of low-fat milk
- Lunch: 2 slices whole wheat bread with 1 tablespoon canola oil pumpkin or butternut squash puree (½ cup) mixed with chopped walnuts
- Dinner: 8 ounces grilled halibut steak (without skin), ½ cup steamed carrots, mixed green salad with lemon dressing
- Snacks: 2/3 cup popcorn (air-popped); a glass of skim milk
- Total Calories: 1796 calories
Day Five
- Breakfast: 1 slice whole-wheat English muffin with 1 teaspoon canola oil spread and ½ cup raspberries; a glass of orange juice
- Lunch: 2 turkey hotdogs, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 apple; a glass of skim milk
- Dinner: 8 ounces turkey wrap with lettuce and tomato, 6 asparagus spears steamed in butter substitute or olive oil spray
- Snacks: 2 tablespoons raisins; a glass of skim milk
- Total Calories: 1793 Calories
The Bottom Line
When it comes to the type of lipids he consumes, the quantity of carbohydrates and proteins, and the amount of sugars he has at any one time, a person following an 1800 calorie diabetic diet plan needs to be extremely attentive. Even though these meal plans are very beneficial, diabetics should still speak with their doctors about any particular queries or worries they may have regarding adhering to a diabetic 1800 calorie diet meal plan.
DISCLAIMER:
This article does not address specific conditions and is simply meant to provide general information. It should not be used as a substitute for expert counsel or assistance or as the basis for any kind of decision. You solely assume all risk and responsibility for any action you take as a result of the information contained in this article.