A diabetic diet can not only help lessen the effects of diabetes,

but in some cases can reverse the disease. If you're a diabetic then it's wise to cut the amount of fats and carbohydrates you consume.

Before discussing the diabetic diet it's important to understand the two types of diabetes. There is the more common type II, or adult onset diabetes, as well as Type I or juvenile diabetes. With type I diabetes the body does not produce insulin, while with type II diabetes the cells generally ignore the insulin. It is type II diabetes that can be reduced by a diabetic diet, although type I also responds well to the diet.

The diabetic diet revolves around maintaining an ideal body weight. There is a simple rule of thumb to establish this ideal body weight. For a woman begin with 100 pounds at 5 feet tall, at 5 pounds for every inch over 5 feet, while if under 5 feet subtract 5 pounds for each inch under 5 feet. Here's a quick example – a woman who is 5'4” tall ideally should be 100+20 pounds, in other words 120 pounds. For men start with 106 pounds for a height of 5 feet than add 6 pounds for every inch about 5 feet. A 5'11” man would ideally weigh 172 pounds.

The ideal formula for a diabetic diet varies, but there are some common basics. For type I diabetics, the ideal diet includes about 16 calories per pound.

That means a 160 pound man should eat about 2500 calories per day. Type II diabetics eat about 1500 calories per day to lose weight, then differing amounts of calories to maintain ideal weight.

Carbohydrates account for about 50% of the calories consumed in a diabetic diet.

Some argue that less carbohydrates are better, but there are advantages to cutting down the fat. People who avoid saturated fats, even if they take in overall more mono and poly unsaturated fats, also do well.