Nutritional Counseling for Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) or Type-2 diabetes is a non-communicable disease grueling public

health. DM is the top seven death source in the United States, affecting approximately 29.1
million people (Nutrition and Weight Status | Healthy People 2020, 2014). Asif (2014) indicates
that lifestyle choices, high amounts of fats, calories, and cholesterol cause' high blood glucose
(sugar) in the blood results to the risk of developing DM. Prevention of the rise of DM cases can
be achieved by health promotion education awareness of the nutritional value in eradicating
diabetes. As frontline caregivers to primary healthcare, nurses use verbal communication,
consultation, demonstration, audiovisual methods, print, and computer technology, educating
patients on health matters.

Traditional lectures are one of the oldest forms of the patient education system. Friedman et
al.'s (2010) research state 95% of patients involved in the study confirmed that traditional
healthcare lectures are still an effective way for patient education. They include the use of
verbal communication, consultation, and demonstration with charts. Knowledge about food
nutrition in preventing DM is adequate health education that patients learn through traditional
lectures. These lectures happen during every encounter with a patient by questioning them
about what they know about DM disease. Nutritional food charts for a healthy diet can also be
provided to patients to guide them on what to consume. All fields have embraced the use of
technology to improve service delivery. Computer and technology have been revolutionary in
the health sector. The computers and technology enhance patient information data storage,
diagnosis, and health education by availing medical information at figure tips (Interactive
Technology Is Shaping Patient Education and Experience, 2013). The study has shown that
computer-based software programs for health education revamped health knowledge among
the research participants after six months (Friedman et al., 2010). The utilization of patient
information data helps nurses track their medical records and nutrition by reminding and
updating patients and their families with information on how to avoid developing DM. The
internet availability, tablets, and smartphones can be used by nurses to educate patients by
playing health education videos and animation about nutrition and guild lines for DM
prevention. The statistics indicated a rise in the number of diabetes mellitus patients. These can
be controlled through health education to the public on prevention methods. Knowledge to
watch the diet, eat, and practice healthy lifestyles will reduce patients' visiting hospitals.
Resource empowerment of Healthcare practitioners to combat DM by health education will cut
down the number of chronic disease patients.