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Type II Diabetes Nutrition Education

Ashley L. Dougherty

University of South Florida

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Type II Diabetes Nutrition Education

Nutrition is an essential aspect to preventing disease and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A

well-balanced diet can be the key to maintaining a healthy state. A more specific diet can be put

in place to aid in the healing of certain diseases. Type II Diabetes is a common condition in many

Americans and can be prevented or reversed when proper nutrition is put into place and

sustained. When patients are given the correct tools to manage type II diabetes through their diet,

it can increase their quality of life and possibly alleviate the disease.

Disease process of Type II Diabetes

Diabetes is defined as a metabolic disease that has consistent hyperglycemia. This can be

caused by multiple factors including genetics, environment, nutrition, and physical activity (site).

Hyperglycemia is when the sugar (glucose) levels are too high in the blood, which means the

body is not producing enough insulin. Insulin resistance is a very important factor in type II

diabetes. A cause of diabetes is a diet including high fat or high carbohydrate consumption as

well as a sedentary lifestyle.

Required or restricted nutritional items

In order to stop the insulin resistance in the patient's body, it is recommended they take

on a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. It is also recommended to consume complex carbohydrates

in place of simple carbohydrates. This is linked to overall glucose management in the body. The

complex carbohydrates take a longer span of time for the glucose to be absorbed and is

therefore ingested at a slower rate for the body to break down. A high fat diet should be avoided

as well. There is research showing that higher lipid consumption leads to

insulin resistance (site). Protein is recommended to clients with diabetes

because it can promote insulin secretion in the body.

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Rationale for dietary inclusions or restrictions

All of the dietary recommendations for patients with type II diabetes revolve around

glucose management. Raising protein intake, increasing complex carbohydrates instead of simple

carbohydrates, and decreasing fat intake can all contribute to diabetes management or even

elevation. A factor that can also cause diabetes is obesity and that is seen a lot in these

patients. So, weight management or even weight loss can also possibly reverse the symptoms of

diabetes. Raising protein, fruits, and vegetable intake will increase the secretion of insulin in the

body promoting a balanced glucose level.

Patient education

These patients should be given the tools and information they need to

understand their disease and how they can aid in management or cure. Choosing

healthy carbohydrates, food rich in fiber, and protein will make every calorie count and be

useful. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, and low-fat dairy products are all

healthy carbohydrates that will create a balanced diet. Fiber rich foods such as nuts, legumes,

and whole grains are also recommended to be incorporated. There is such a thing as “good fats”,

which include avocados, nuts, and oils (peanut, canola, and olive) but they should not be

consumed in a large amount because they are high in calories.

Conclusion

Nutrition is important in every individual's life wither they have a chronic disease or not.

As nurses we should be an example for our patients and be able to educate them on their health.

Type II diabetes is a very common disease, but with some education and hard work it can be

managed and even cured. Incorporating glucose control into the patient's diet and weight loss can
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be the first steps to having a handle on their diabetes. Educating patients on a specific diet

for their condition is key to nutritional success.

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References

Guo, Y., Huang, Z., Sang, D., Gao, Q., & Li, Q. (2020, August 17). The Role of Nutrition in the

Prevention and Intervention of Type 2 Diabetes.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.575442/full.

Thuita, A.W., Kiage, B.N., Onyango, A.N. et al. Effect of a nutrition education programme on

the metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at a level 5 Hospital in

Kenya: “a randomized controlled trial”. BMC Nutr 6, 30 (2020). https://doi-

org.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/10.1186/s40795-020-00355-6

Castro, MD, R. (2019, February 19). Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-diet/art-

20044295.