In 1994, the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association approved new dietary recommendations for people with diabetes. These recommendations signal a change in philosophy regarding nutritional care for diabetes. It is now recognized that diabetes encompasses a variety of metabolic abnormalities and that individuals need different approaches. The belief that a single diabetic or ADA diet exists for people with diabetes is no longer valid. The new recommendations incorporate medical research of the last decade.
Food raises blood glucose and blood fat levels.
Activity and medications lower blood glucose and blood fat levels. A balance of diet, activity and medication leads to good management of diabetes. The overriding goal of nutrition therapy for people with diabetes is improved metabolic control. As of 1997, diabetes is now categorized as Type 1 or Type 2, based on the underlying physiological problem rather than treatment. The end result is absolute insulin deficiency.