Nutrition Assessment for Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy
Diabetes medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is defined as a four-step model that includes assessment of an individual’s metabolic and lifestyle parameters, identification of nutrition goals, intervention designed to achieve these goals, and evaluation of clinical outcomes.1
Nutrition practice guidelines for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (see article by Splett and Leontos on p. 128) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)2 have been developed to increase the quality and consistency of diabetes MNT. Diabetes educators can use these guidelines to anticipate and simplify the decision-making process and foster improved metabolic control. The practice guidelines provide a framework that can assist diabetes educators in the nutrition assessment, goal setting, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes of diabetes MNT for people with IDDM and NIDDM.