HOW DOES HEALTHY EATING BENEFIT THE PATIENT WITH DIABETES?

Nutrition therapy plays an essential role in the treatment of diabetes. It can improve glycemic control by reducing glycated hemoglobin (A1C) by 1% to 2% and, when used with other components of diabetes care, can further improve clinical and metabolic outcomes.3 Nutrition counselling should be part of self-management education (SME) programs and, ideally, delivered by a registered dietitian. It must be based on individual needs such as preferences, age, culture, lifestyle, economic status, activity level and readiness to change, but is equally effective when given in small group or one-on-one settings.3 Individuals with diabetes should be encouraged to follow the same principles of healthy eating as that recommended for the general population in Canadas Food Guide. 3