Dietary adherence among diabetics

Includes bibliographical references (pages 29-33)A study pf 25 insulin-dependent diabetic subjects was\ud made to determine their knowledge of the disease in five\ud areas; knowledge of the diet, management of an insulin\ud reaction, awareness of the condition and the need for a\ud special diet, basic nutritional knowledge and its\ud application to dietary modification and adherence, and\ud socio-psychological factors.\ud All subjects were aware of their diabetic condition\ud and therefore aware of the need for a special diet. Only\ud four subjects were able to correctly name the "Basic Four"\ud food groups. Knowledge of the diabetic diet was very\ud poor. A relationship existed between knowledge of the\ud diabetic condition and the need for a special diet. \ud The information collected showed that a discrepancy\ud existed between knowledge of that need and knowledge of\ud how to manage such a diet. All subjects were adept at\ud dealing with an insulin reaction. All subjects were able\ud to choose acceptable alternatives to alcohol and party\ud food at social occasions without embarrassment. Some\ud suggestions included coffee, diet drinks, Perrier water,\ud nuts, as well as fruits, raw vegetables and garnishes