To improve both life expectancy and quality of life for individuals with diabetes, comprehensive nutrition recommendations and therapy are essential. However, the abundance of nutrition information available varies in quality and can be misleading for both patients and healthcare professionals. In response to these concerns, the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes has recently published evidence-based dietary recommendations specifically for people with diabetes.

      For the prevention of type 2 diabetes, the recommendations suggest the following:

      1. People with overweight or obesity should aim to lose at least 5% of their body weight to reduce their risk.

      2. A combination of a healthy dietary pattern, regular physical activity, avoiding excess weight, and not smoking is recommended for diabetes prevention.

      The study emphasizes that a variety of diet patterns and macronutrient compositions can lead to weight loss and maintenance, as long as dietary requirements are met. Low-energy formula products can be used to replace one to two meals a day or the entire diet temporarily to promote weight loss.

      The remission of type 2 diabetes can be achieved through sustained weight loss. A low-energy total diet replacement program, lasting 12 to 20 weeks and carefully adjusted with glucose-lowering and antihypertensive medication, can lead to a 10% to 15% weight loss and induce type 2 diabetes remission. Extreme high-carbohydrate diets and very low ketogenic diets are not recommended for weight loss.

      Regarding carbohydrate intake, the group recommends consuming foods that are naturally rich in dietary fiber, such as minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and whole fruits. Sugar intake should be limited to below 10% of total energy intake, and non-nutritive sweeteners can be used as a sugar replacement. Dietary fats should come from plant-based sources that are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Saturated fats should make up less than 10% of total energy, and trans fats should be less than 1% of total energy.

      Protein intake for individuals with diabetes and normal weight should comprise 10% to 20% of total energy intake. Higher intakes are recommended for people aged 65 years and older. For those with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity, protein intake may be increased to 23% to 32% in the short term within the context of a weight-loss diet if their estimated glomerular filtration rate is above 60 mL/min/1.73 m². Protein intake should be 10% to 15% for individuals with moderate diabetic nephropathy.

      The research recently published in 'Diabetologia', also highlights the benefits of multiple dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet, the Nordic diet, and the vegetarian diet, for people living with diabetes. These dietary patterns can provide additional advantages in managing the condition.

      These evidence-based recommendations offer valuable guidance for individuals with diabetes and healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of personalized nutrition approaches for prevention and management.

Read More