EN    EN EN 
 
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 10.7.2008 
SEC(2008) 2295 
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
SUMMARY OF DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE 
WITH DIABETES 
 
EN 2   EN SUMMARY OF DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES  
 
This document's aim is to contribute to comprehension of document COM(2008)392  
PAN-EUROPEAN ORGANISATION S REPRESENTING PEOPLE WITH DIABETES AND/OR THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS  
 European Association for the 
Study of Diabetes 2004 International Diabetes 
Federation (Europe) 1998 
for Type 1 diabetesvii International Diabetes 
Federation (Europe) 1999 
for Type 2 diabetesviii 
Body Mass Index 18.5-25 kg/m2   
Total energy intake to achieve or maintain desired 
BMI to achieve or maintain desired 
BMI to achieve or maintain desired 
BMI 
Carbohydrate Usually 45-60% total energy 
(Carbohydrates and 
monounsaturates 60-70% total 
energy) 50-55% total energy carbohydrate-rich diet 
sugars < 10% total energy do not  need to be excluded but 
often need to be limited do not need to be excluded but 
should be limited 
fibre high-fibre foods 
> 40g/day (or 20g/1000 kcal) 
low glycaemic index foods soluble fibre soluble fibre 
Fat < 35% total energy   
saturated/ trans  fatty acids < 10% total energy < 10% total energy < 10% total energy 
polyunsaturated fatty acids < 10% total en ergy < 10% total energy < 10% total energy 
cis-monounsaturated fatty acids usually10-20% total energy 
(Carbohydrate and 
cis-monounsaturates 
60-70% energy) to balance energy intake use to maintain palatability and 
balance energy intake 
 
EN 3   EN  European Association for the 
Study of Diabetes 2004 International Diabetes 
Federation (Europe) 1998 
for Type 1 diabetesvii International Diabetes 
Federation (Europe) 1999 
for Type 2 diabetesviii 
cholesterol < 300mg/day   
 
EN 4   EN  European Association for the 
Study of Diabetes 2004 International Diabetes 
Federation (Europe) 1998 
for Type 1 diabetesvii International Diabetes 
Federation (Europe) 1999 
for Type 2 diabetesviii 
Protein 10-20% total energy 
around 0.8g/kg body weight if 
established nephropathy < 15% total energy 
< 0.8g/kg body weight if 
incipient or established 
nephropathy < 15% total energy 
< 0.8g/kg body weight if incipient 
or established nephropathy 
Alcohol if taken:< 10g/day women 
< 20g/day men moderate if desired if desire d as part of energy intake 
Salt: normotensive 
 hypertensive < 6g/day 
further restriction 
may be of value - 
< 7g/day - 
< 6g/day 
Fruit and vegetables 5 + servings/day 5 items/day encouraged as part of mealtime 
energy intake 
Non-calorific sweeteners    
 
 
EN 5   EN SUMMARY OF DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES  
RECOMMENDATIONS BY MEMBER STATES 
 France1 Sweden2 
(Obese type 2 diabetics) United Kingdomix 
(2003) 
Body Mass Index   18.5-24.9 kg/m2 
(depending on waist circumference 
and racial background) 
Total energy intake 35 kcal/kg women 
38 kcal/kg men  appropriate to sustain growth in 
children, to prevent or correct 
obesity in adults 
Carbohydrate 45-55% total energy  45-60% total energy 
sugars < 10% total energy  sucrose <10% of total energy 
fructose, provided it is eaten in 
context of a healthy diet. 
fibre    
Fat 30-35% total energy < 30% en ergy < 35% total energy 
saturated/ trans  fatty acids 25% fat intake 
(equals < 10% total energy)  < 10% energy 
polyunsaturated fatty acids 25% fat intake 
(equals < 10 % total energy)  n-6 < 10% energy 
n-3 – eat fish, especially oily fish, 
once or twice weekly 
cis-monounsaturated fatty acids 50% fat intake 
(equals 10-20% total energy)  10-20% total energy 
                                                 
1 Summary of recommendations provided by French Administration. 
2 Information provided by Swedish National Food Administration. 
 
EN 6   EN  France1 Sweden2 
(Obese type 2 diabetics) United Kingdomix 
(2003) 
cholesterol   < 300mg/day 
(would be expected if saturated fatty 
acids < 10% total energy) 
Protein 1g/kg ideal body weight 
or 10-15% total energy  Not<=1g/kg body weight 
Alcohol   sensible drinking advice as for the 
general population 
Salt   < 6g/day 
Fruit and vegetables    
Non-calorific sweeteners   Useful for overweight individuals 
 
 
EN 7   EN REFERENCES  
vii. European Diabetes Policy Group. A desk top guide to Type 1 diabetes mellitus. 
Diabetic Medicine, 1999, 16: 253-266. 
viii. European Diabetes Policy Group. A desk top guide to Type 2 diabetes mellitus. 
Diabetic Medicine, 1999, 16: 716-730. 
ix. Nutrition Subcommittee of the Diabetes Care, Advisory Committee of Diabetes, UK. 
The implementation of nutritional advi ce for people with diabetes. Diabetic 
Medicine, 2003, 20: 786-807.