DietTV's recommendations for people on
The dLife Diabetics Diet
Description
If you are a diabetic that needs help losing weight, this web-based plan may be perfect for you. Created by registered dietitians and diabetic educators, the goal of dLife is to offer diabetics a personalized health and fitness plan. In addition to diet and exercise suggestions, this plan allows you to track your blood sugar and the other medical information that go hand-in-hand with diabetes management. The basic premise is that the dieter should plan, track, and report all of their information so they can live a healthier life.
read on (continued below)exclusive on dietTV:Food at home and on the go! we show you what you can eat anywhere you are.
What can I eat
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Avocado -
Beans -
Berries -
BreadWhole grain breads -
Coffee -
Condiments -
DairyLow fat cheeses -
DeliLow sugar and low sodium -
Diet Beverages -
Eggs -
Fats -
Fish
What can I snack on
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CerealSuch as low fat granola (without raisins) and bran flakes -
CheeseLow fat string cheese, low fat Swiss cheese, low fat cream cheese and non fat cottage cheese -
CrackersWhole wheat crackers and Graham crackers -
DeliOven roasted turkey breast -
DipsHummus and salsa -
EggsHard-boiled eggs -
FruitA variety including grapes, bananas, plums, blueberries, watermelon, applesauce and apples -
Ice Cream & SorbetsSugar-free, fat free frozen yogurt -
Jello & PuddingsSugar-free, fat free pudding -
Milk & Soy MilkSkim milk -
Nuts & SeedsIncluding almonds, peanuts, peanut butter and walnuts -
PopcornAir-popped popcorn
Description (cont'd from above)
The dLife Diabetics Diet Plan
If you are a diabetic that needs help losing weight, this web-based plan may be perfect for you. Created by registered dietitians and diabetic educators, the goal of the dLife Diabetics Diet plan is to offer diabetics a personalized health and fitness plan. In addition to diet and exercise suggestions, this plan allows you to track your blood sugar and the other medical information that go hand-in-hand with diabetes management. The basic premise is that the dieter should plan, track, and report all of their information so they can live a healthier life.
What makes the dLife Diabetics Diet a different weight loss plan?
This website-based diet was specifically created for diabetics and does not really apply to non-diabetics just looking to lose weight. While the dLife Diabetics Diet lets you create a personalized meal plan, the pre-planned dLife Diet is based on a 40:30:30 ratio of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Monitoring your blood sugar, medication regimens and meal times are all essential for controlling a diabetic's blood sugar levels, so this site pays special attention to these concerns, as well as many other needs that are specific to diabetics.
What is the dLife Diabetics Diet plan?
The dLife Diet is basically a comprehensive wellness plan for diabetics. Once you log into the website (www.dLife.com), you will need to choose from three goals: weight loss for diabetics, blood sugar management, or meal planning. For a monthly membership fee of $19.95, you get a personalized meal plan, the ability to log your daily intake and information on your calorie needs.
The meal planning and tracking section is pretty simple to follow on the dLife Diabetics Diet. You can choose from hundreds of meal plans that meet your calorie and carbohydrate requirements. The plan is very flexible in that you can use a thirty day pre-set meal plan given by the site or substitute meals, like those from a health care provider. You can also adjust your plan if you have special medical needs, such as a low sodium or soft food diet. Each day, your food intake is broken down to show its nutritional data (calories consumed, etc.), which includes a pie chart reflecting the corresponding percentages of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
Want to use your own recipe? The dLife Diabetics Diet site allows users to enter recipes into the system and get a complete nutritional analysis, in order to see if it fits their needs. A "shopping list" feature compiles a list of the foods you need based on your meal plans, to make it easier for you to shop for groceries.
The following is a typical pre-set meal based on an 1,800 calorie diet with the ratio of carbohydrates to protein to fat being 40:30:30:
Breakfast: 1 extra small banana, 1 cup of nonfat milk, and 1/2 a cup of Wheaties.
Morning snack: 1/8 of a cup of almonds.
Lunch: 3/4 of a cup of cooked spinach, 5-ounces of skinless chicken breast kabobs (recipe given), 1/2 a cup of couscous, 1 cup of field greens with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and vinegar, and 1 cup of nonfat milk.
Afternoon snack: 1 cup of cherry tomatoes and 6 ounces of vanilla nonfat yogurt.
Dinner: 6-ounces of broiled beef tenderloin, 1/2 a cup of boiled corn without salt, a small whole wheat dinner roll with 1 pat of margarine, 1 cup of boiled asparagus, and 1/2 a cup of raw blackberries.
Bedtime snack: 17 dry roasted saltless peanuts and 1/2 a cup of sliced cucumber.
What are the weight loss expectations?
There are no promises for how much weight you will lose on the dLife Diabetics Diet plan. However, your calorie needs are suggested based on the National Institute of Health and the American Dietetic Association's safe weight loss guidelines of about 1 pound per week. Ultimately, the dieter sets their own calorie needs and does not have to follow the suggested guidelines.
Is exercise promoted?
Exercise is encouraged for everyone on the dLife Diabetics Diet plan. Even a beginner can start with 15 minutes per day (with doctor's clearance, of course) and increase the duration of their exercise, as they feel comfortable. Dieters can select from cardio, strength training, flexibility, or core training plans. Exercise regimens have beginner, intermediate or advanced levels, so that users can choose what is specifically right for them.
The dLife Diabetics Diet stresses that your eating habits should be balanced with exercise in order to maintain good blood sugar levels. Diabetics may need a carbohydrate-based snack before exercising and may have to check their blood sugar levels before engaging in physical activity, to ensure a safe workout.
Are supplements recommended?
No supplements are recommended on the dLife Diabetics Diet plan.
Counselor review
The dLife Diet is a well-rounded plan for diabetics. The weight loss goals that are encouraged are safe, and foods from all food groups are promoted. Low-fat, sugar-free, and high-fiber choices are particularly encouraged to help diabetics maintain proper blood sugar levels and weight. Another nice element of this site is that friends of diabetics are welcome to join the dLife community in order help their diabetic friends and family have healthier lives.
DietTV Users Love
- Easy to follow for the long haul
- Level of exercise was right for me
- I feel healthier
- Affordable
- Great website
DietTV Users Hate
- Results took longer
- Extremely difficult to eat out
- I can't eat what I want
- Caffeine and / or alcohol restricted
- Calorie or any other counting
