New diabetes nutrition therapy recommendations: What you need to know

Abstract

A variety of eating patterns and meal-planning approaches can be effective for achieving individual metabolic goals for adults with diabetes. To eat well, it is best to eat nutrient-dense foods (i.e., fiber-rich foods that offer high levels of nutrients in appropriate portion sizes). Nutrition therapy goals should be developed collaboratively with individual diabetes patients. These goals should be based on assessment of individual patients' current eating patterns, personal and cultural preferences, access to healthful food choices, and willingness and ability to make changes in food and beverage choices, as well as their metabolic goals. Ideally, an eating plan should be developed early in the course of the disease in collaboration with an RD/N or through participation in a diabetes self-management group education class. Ongoing follow-up with a diabetes HCP is crucial for success; diabetes is a disease that is largely self-managed by patients who require professional support. Recommendations also may need to be adjusted over time based on changes in patients' life circumstances, preferences, and disease course.