If you are going to go on a 1200 kcal/day diet, you need to consult your doctor about how to get enough micronutrients from the foods you will be eating. Discuss whether supplements are an option, since limiting yourself to 1200 kcal/day may not provide enough of certain vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.
The 1200 calorie diabetic diet is a good one to try. You can find the information at http://1200caloriediabeticdiet.net/. The Atkins or South Beach diets are also good to follow if you are a diabetic.
Here is a good 1200 calorie diet plan designed by a woman for women. http://www.womenandweight.com/1200-calorie-diet-plan/ For a more comprehensive look at this plan : http://www.womenandweight.com/1200-calorie-diet/
The 1200 calorie diet can be a quick and effective weight loss plan. You can find meal plans at http://www.freedieting.com/1200_calorie_diet.htm as well as http://www.everydiet.org/diet/1200-calorie-diet.
Yes you can try a 1200 calorie diet if you are just starting to diet. If you eat less or the same as 1200 calories i would try to hit a lower goal. Keep cuting calories as you go.
You can look on the website www.everydiet.org/diet/1200-calorie-diet to find information on 1200 calorie diets. It will provide you with the information you need to start your diet program.
American Diabetic Association
In any diet, about 45-65% of the diet should consist of carbohydrates. Based on a 1200 calorie diet, 540-780 calories should be from carbohydrates.
Anyone can go on a 1200 calorie diet. There is no meal plan to follow, but sticking to fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, and lean proteins make it an easy diet to keep up with.
There is an example of a 1200 calorie diet menu at this site: mydietbuddy.com/1200-calorie-diet-menus.htm. If you prefer menus for low carb diets, there is a directory of those at this site: lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbmenus1/Low_Carb_Menus.htm.
For a sample diet plan, try http://www.weightlossforall.com/sample%20diets.htm.They have a 1200-calorie diet and a 1800-calorie diet that you can follow.
The carbohydrate intake for one day on a diabetic diet is usually low since most people with diabetes is overweight. So a calorie range of 1,500 to 1,800 calorie diet per day can be the daily carb intake.
One website that may be very helpful is http://www.lose-weight-with-us.com/1200-calorie-diet-menu.html. This website provides you with a 1200 calorie diet menu that you can follow every week.