A diet that contains 1800 calories is considered to be an excellent diet and is very effective in maintaining the digestive health. The article provides information regarding this diet.
Human body needs a specified number of calories every day to keep all the bodily functions, organs, and systems running. The food that we consume every day is divided into different food nutrients such as the carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fats, etc. The nutrients aid the human body in many different ways. One of the most important functions that these nutrients perform, is to provide the body with sufficient fuel and energy, so as to keep it going. Different nutrients are digested by the body into different substances. For instance, the carbohydrates are decomposed into sugar which are burnt or rather combusted by the respiratory system, to provide sufficient energy.
The substances that are combusted by the body are measured in the form of calories. The 1800 calorie diet involves the consumption of not more than 1800 calories per day. Ideally, 1200 calories per day are sufficient for an average adult; however, people like athletes or those who perform strenuous physical activities can easily follow this diet, without having any ill-effect on their health.
Some people prefer to lose weight with the help of natural and long-term weight loss programs. Such a weight loss is achieved only when people follow a diet plan and exercise regularly. The weight loss is extremely gradual in such cases and spans over a couple of years. In fact, many physicians and medical practitioners are of the view that the 1800 calorie diet is one of the ideal ways of losing weight.
Advantages of the Diet Plan
The first and foremost advantage is that the person following this diet does not overeat or does not even suffer from hunger pangs, or food cravings. This diet can also be followed for maintaining the weight within the normal range, and for improving the digestive health. Physicians also recommend this type of diet to people who regularly play sports, and it is prescribed to people who suffer from diabetes or hypertension.
Measuring the Servings for the Diet
People following this diet, at times, get confused about the portion of food items that fit into one serving. According to dieticians, 1 cup is equivalent to 1 serving and is usually used to measure fruits, vegetables, milk, and dairy products. In this diet, a person can have about 3 servings of fruits and 5 servings of vegetables per day. A person can have about 3 to 5 servings of all the dairy products or milk. In case of meat and eggs, 1 ounce is considered to be one serving. A person can have 3 to 4 ounces of meat or eggs every day.
Sample Diet Plan
The following is a sample diet menu plan for one day.
Morning: A cup of milk, a fruit, and a serving of bran cereal, or one egg omelet.
Afternoon: Two ounces of meat, two slices of bread, small tablespoon of cheese, butter, or a slice of cheese, one potato, and one fruit.
Evening: A cup of tea, coffee or milk, or a tub of yogurt, a fruit, two to three cookies or biscuits.
Night: 3 ounces of meat, or eggs, or fish, half a cup of vegetables, 2 slices of bread, and a cup of baked beans.
The key to the success of the 1800-calorie diet is to have regular meals with disciplined time intervals in between. Another very important aspect is to have patience for the initial few days and avoid overeating. You can also prepare your own diet menu plan by consulting the calorie table which is released by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a dietitian or nutritionist.