If the person with diabetes and his family follow the diabetic diet, they will follow a meal plan recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. Cutting calories by 500 - 1000 calories a day can lead to a weight loss of one to two pounds a week. A reasonable body weight is one a person can live with comfortably over time. Fat is very high in calories. Frequent eating of high fat foods makes weight control hard.
Animal fats contain cholesterol and saturated fat.
High intakes of cholesterol and saturated fat have been linked to increased risks for heart disease. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease as people without diabetes. Trimming fat, adding less fat to food, and broiling or baking will help cut fat and cholesterol. Controlled starch intake is not bad for the diabetic. Many starches are low in fat and can be high in fiber.