Nutrition recommendations and principles for people with diabetes mellitus.

A historical perspective of nutrition recommendations is provided in the Figure. Today there is no ONE "diabetic" or "ADA" diet. The recommended diet can only be defined as a dietary prescription based on nutrition assessment and treatment goals. Medical nutrition therapy for people with diabetes should be individualized, with consideration given to usual eating habits and other lifestyle factors. Nutrition recommendations are then developed to meet treatment goals and desired outcomes. Monitoring metabolic parameters including blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipids, blood pressure, and body weight, as well as quality of life, is crucial to ensure successful outcomes.