The effects of diabetes mellitus include long-term damage, dysfunction and failure of various organs

Dietary treatment should aim at:

• ensuring weight control
• providing nutritional requirements
• allowing good glycaemic control with blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible
• correcting any associated blood lipid abnormalities

The following principles are recommended as dietary guidelines for people with diabetes:

• The following principles are recommended as dietary guidelines for people with diabetes:

• Dietary fat should provide 25-35% of total intake of calories but saturated fat intake should not exceed 10% of total energy. Cholesterol consumption should be restricted and limited to 300 mg or less daily.

• Protein intake can range between 10-15% total energy (0.8-1 g/kg of desirable body weight). Requirements increase for children and during pregnancy. Protein should be derived from both animal and vegetable sources.

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