Dietary intake

All patients with type 1 diabetes should have access to an experienced accredited practising dietitian to teach them about the nutritional content of foods, including how to calculate the carbohydrate content of their meals. Multidisciplinary diabetes services also run structured education programs to teach carbohydrate counting and insulin adjustment.

Carbohydrate counting allows patients to match timing and dose of insulin to their meals (rather than matching food to fixed mealtime insulin doses). However, a regular meal routine remains important in maintaining glycaemic targets and a nutritious and healthy diet. For further information about carbohydrate counting and using carbohydrate-to-insulin ratios to adjust insulin dosage, see Bolus insulin and carbohydrates.

Patients with type 1 diabetes are advised to follow dietary advice for the general population. See also patient advice about eating well from Diabetes Australia website.