DIETARY REGIMEN SHOULD BE BASED ON FOLLOWING FACTORS:

1) Duration of diabetes affection and ravages wrought by it on various organs of the body.
2) Age, sex, profession and health status of the patient.
3) His age, life style, dietary pattern, financial position.
4) Diet should be nutritious, devoid not only of monotony but should also be tasty and satiating.
5) It should not disturb family budget and dietary pattern of a family.
6) It should be complete and well-balanced, as for as suitable blend of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals are concerned.
7) Present diabetic status should form basis for dietary regimen.
8) Only minimal and very essential/reasonable conditions should be put in the patient so that there is no room left for his wrong & voluntary deviations.
9) Patients should be guided to adjust his diet as per his glucose level in blood and urine. This is called self-management technique.
10) Dietary regimen should not force the patient to become a social recluse.
11) Care must he taken to ensure that dietary regimen is not allowed to stretch to a fasting (or still worse to starvation) and clearly advised neither to be too indulgent nor instinctive. A middle path, balancing of both the facts, should be carved out and followed strictly, leaving enough scope for the marginal and emergent situations.
12) Any sudden deviation should always be avoided.
13) The members of the family should also be guided properly about the safeguards and precautions while preparing for and serving food to a diabetic.
14) Gradual withdrawal from certain food items, if prohibited or considered harmful, should be stressed upon and , in this aspect, patient and his family members cooperation is of utmost help.