Are standard nutrition requirements of macronutrients appropriate for diabetics?

Abstract:

The number of people with diabetes, especially type 2 is increasing worldwide. Currently, the dietary recommendations for patients with diabetes are identical to those in the healthy population (50% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 30% fat). Consuming a small amount of alcohol (one or two drinks per day) has a beneficial effect on the prevention of diabetes, as well as the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Individualized treatment and diet for patients with diabetes allows for “free diet”, but the amount of carbohydrates needs to be calculated in each meal. Despite the large number of studies conducted, it appears that an “ideal” combination of macronutrients does not exist. Nevertheless, the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) are supported in the contemporary Croatian guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A different ratio of macronutrients in the diabetic diet could contribute to easier weight management, and thus a better disease control. In this sense, the most favorable diet would be one with increased protein at the expense of carbohydrates, and a diet that is closer to vegetarian and vegan principles. Also, isocaloric diets that are low in fat and have a higher ratio of both carbohydrates and proteins, in patients with type 1 diabetes, significantly increase insulin sensitivity without affecting disease control, but probably have consequences on the amount of insulin needed.

Key words:
diabetes mellitus type 2; macronutrient ratio; nutrition standards for people suffering from diabetes mellitus