Nutritional recommendations for patients with diabetes mellitus 2000 - Nutrition Committee of the German Diabetes Society

The nutritional recommendations for people with diabetes 2000 up-date the 1 995 recommendations of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). The Nutrition Commi ttee of the German Diabetes Society, after careful consideration, has agree d to these recommendations and the German Diabetes Society decided to publi sh them in German language. The fundamental principles are not changed; how ever, the 1995 statement needs to be revised in view of practical experienc e with the recommendations so far and some new data. There is new evidence in particular regarding the role of different unsaturated fatty acids, the significance of food with a low glycemic index, possible cardioprotective e ffects of anti-oxidative food components, the need especially for persons w ith high blood pressure to avoid excessive protein intake, and the potentia l benefits of physical activity. Accordingly, essential parts of the nutrit ional recommendations had to be revised. It should be emphasized that the n utritional recommendations for people with diabetes are very similar to tho se applying to people in general for the promotion of good health The food for people with diabetes should not differ appreciably from that recommende d for the rest of the family. National groups of experts will issue recomme ndations of food and food categories appropriate for different countries on the basis of the nutritional recommendations. Dietitians, doctors and thos e treating patients with diabetes should be able to give specific quantitat ive food-based advice for individuals with diabetes.