dietary therapy for diabetes mellitus

Management

• maintain as near-normal levels of glucose as possible by balancing food intake with medications (insulin or oral agents) & activity

• Achieve optimal serum lipid levels.

• Provide calories to maintain or achieve reasonable weight for adults or to promote recovery from catabolic illness. Promote weight loss in obese patients.

• Aim for protein intake of 10-20% & saturated fat <10% of daily calories.

• Distribute the remaining 60%-70% of daily calories between carbohydrate & fat based upon treatment goals for blood glucose & serum lipids. Emphasize monounsaturated fats over polyunsaturated fats. ,
• Sucrose & other simple sugars may be substituted for carbohydrates.

• As in the general polulation, aim for 20-35 grams of daily fiber.

• If hypertension is present, limit sodium intake to <2.4 g/day.

• Limit alcoholic beverages to < 2/day.

• Vitamin & mineral supplementation is unnecessary for most patients.

* Do NOT smoke.

More general terms

• nutritional therapy

Additional terms

• diabetes mellitus
• diet