CC Young embraces resident centered care. We align ourselves with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and their recommendations. The ADA does not actually have a diabetic diet, they do have some guidelines they promote. The ADA as well as CC Young recognize that people with diabetes should eat in a way that helps them reach their blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight goals. For some, that means a relatively higher-carbohydrate diet and for others, the diet may be lower in carbohydrates. The ADA does not recommend specific target numbers when it comes to carbohydrates, protein, or total fat. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reports that protein energy malnutrition effects 23% to 85% of residents and most of those were on restricted diets that might discourage intake. Therefore, the Academy recommends residents’ individualize their diets to maximize meal nutrition. In many cases, a regular diet improves meal nutrition, minimizes struggles of dietary compliance and improves the resident’s quality of life. CC Young endorses a liberalized diet approach where the resident has control of their portions of carbohydrates and desserts. A liberalized diet is defined by the ADA as an effort to relax dietary prescriptions established to help manage or treat a disease like diabetes. In addition to improving quality of life, a liberalized diet has been shown to improve intake, decrease malnutrition and weight loss that occurs when a resident is served food they don’t want and won’t eat. Should a resident still feel that a sugar free diet is best for them, we do rotate throughout the menu cycle, 3 sugar free dessert options. Our goal is to provide you as many choices as possible for you to make the best decision for your specific dietary needs. If you need assistance, we have a dietitian on staff who can provide education and materials to make better, and healthier selections. Our goal is to provide you as many choices as possible for you to make the best decision for your specific dietary needs. If you need help we have a registered, licensed Dietitian on staff who can provide education and materials to make healthy selections. CC Young’s Dietitian is available for consultations by appointment at 972-996-1460.