Current Trends in Dietary Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

INTRODUCTION Medical nutrition therapy is integral to total diabetes care and management. Diet is the one of the treatment common to all diabetics and in the mildest cases is all that is needed to restore carbohydrate tolerance to normal. Dietary control plays a role in any of the three ways currently used in the management of diabetes which are as follows: • Diet alone • Diet and oral hypoglycemic drugs • Diet and insulin It is important to note that the dietary recommendations for persons with diabetes are in most respect the same as for non-diabetic persons and are based on sound principles of nutrition. Although adherence to nutrition and meal planning principles is one of the most challenging aspects of diabetes care, nutrition therapy is an essential component of successful diabetes management.