Diabetes diet - higher energy
This document is part of the ACI Diet Specifications for Adult Inpatients. It is not to be used for patient education.
Aim
To provide a diet that supports blood glucose management while providing a higher energy density than the Diabetes diet.
Characteristics
Moderately high energy and a moderately even spread of carbohydrate per meal (30–75g per main meal; 15–30g per mid-meal). Includes at least one low-glycaemic-index option (GI <55) at each meal and snack. Default meals should provide a minimum of two carbohydrate portions. Default mid-meals should provide one carbohydrate portion (e.g. half sandwich or one portion-control pack of two plain biscuits). The fat and protein level of this diet is higher than that of the Diabetes diet with preference for mono and polyunsaturated fats.
Indications
For patients with diabetes who:
- are malnourished
- are at risk of malnutrition
- are eating poorly
- have higher energy needs.
Nutritional adequacy
Nutritionally inadequate.
Precautions
Generally not suitable for patients with unstable insulin-requiring diabetes or for women with diabetes in pregnancy (see separate diet specifications: Diabetes and Diabetes in pregnancy).
It is appropriate to serve patients with diabetes from regular unrestricted menus. Special sugar-free and diabetic foods are not required, but artificial sweeteners are offered with tea and coffee to support patient choice.
Paediatrics
Suitable for use in paediatrics when combined with age-appropriate diet.
Specific menu planning guidelines
Allowed | Not allowed | |
---|---|---|
Hot main dishes | Dishes with ≤60g carbohydrate per serve. | Fatty meat (e.g. bacon, sausages, hamburger mince), offal Dishes cooked in saturated fat (e.g. shortening, lard, palm oil, coconut milk) |
Sauces, gravies | All | - |
Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | All, including high-protein mashed potato | - |
Vegetables | All, including steamed, boiled, or fried or roasted with mono or polyunsaturated fat | - |
Soups | All | - |
Sandwiches | All, preferably made with monounsaturated margarine, but polyunsaturated margarine and butter also allowed All breads, including low-GI breads (see GI website for full list) | - |
Salads, dressings | All | - |
Breads, cereals | All breads, including low-GI choices (see GI website for full list) Breakfast cereals with <30% sugar, unless primarily from fruit; at least two low-GI options per breakfast (see GI website for full list) | Breakfast cereals with >30% sugar, unless primarily from fruit |
Spreads | Jam, yeast spread, honey, peanut butter Preferably monounsaturated margarines, oils and mayonnaise, but polyunsaturated also allowed Butter | - |
Hot breakfast choices | All | - |
Fruit | All | - |
Yoghurt | All | - |
Desserts | All desserts with ≤45g carbohydrate per serve, which may include regular jelly and jellied fruit | - |
Milk and cheese | All, including flavoured milk | - |
Beverages | Water, milk, tea, coffee, low-joule soft drinks and cordial, plain mineral water Fruit juice with no added sugar (maximum 2 serves per day) | Regular soft drinks, cordial |
Biscuits | All | - |
Miscellaneous | All herbs and spices, nuts Sugar (maximum 1 sachet per meal and midmeal allowable) Salt, pepper Artificial sweeteners | Cream Potato crisps Chocolate bars |
Celebratory foods, special occasions | 20g chocolate easter eggs on Easter Sunday |
References
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2016 Abridged for Primary Care Providers. Clinical Diabetes. 2016;34(1):3-21.
- Glycemic Index Foundation, University of Sydney. The GI Index and GI database. [accessed 12 Ocober 2015].
- Dietitians Association of Australia. Nutrition manual. 9th ed. Canberra: DAA; 2014.
Change log
Change date | Section updated | Change |
---|---|---|
April 2021 | Title of specification | Title changed from Diabetic diet - diabetes in pregnancy to Diabetes diets - diabetes in pregnancy |
September 2022 | Specific menu planning guidelines | Created a new food group row under Miscellaneous, titled Celebratory foods, special occasions |
September 2022 | Specific menu planning guidelines – Celebratory foods, special occasions | In Allowed, added 20g chocolate easter eggs on Easter Sunday |