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Getting The Right Nutrition With Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body has difficulty regulating blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels remain above the target range over time, this can contribute to complications such as eye problems and kidney disease.

Alongside treatment, optimising diet is key.¹ However, some people may also face an often-overlooked challenge: the risk of malnutrition, including unintentional weight loss, poor appetite or fear of eating.

Did you know that by 2050, 853 million adults will live with diabetes?

Diabetes-Specific Oral Nutrition Support

When dietary changes alone are not enough to meet nutritional needs, diabetes-specific oral nutritional supplements such as Diben®* can help. Diben® is designed for people who are malnourished, or at risk of malnutrition, particularly those with impaired glucose metabolism. Its modified carbohydrate profile, low GI, fibre and high proportion of monounsaturated fats are designed to support glycaemic control.³⁻⁵

When managing diabetes-specific nutrition look for modified carbohydrates with low GI for improved blood sugar control; healthy fats (MUFAs) to support cardiometabolic health, glucose control and insulin sensitivity; and fibre to delay absorption.

Formats and Flavours to Suit You

Diben® comes in a convenient 200 mL ready-to-drink format, available in vanilla flavour.

Fresubin's Diben range to support diabetic nutrition comes in a variety of formats and flavours to suit you, including: Diben 1.5KCAL Tube Feed, Diben Apricot-Peach flavoured Drink, Diben Vanilla-flavoured 2KCAL Drink, Diben Vanilla-flavoured Powder, Diben Apricot-Peach-flavoured 2KCAL spoonable CRÈME, and Diben Cappuccino-flavoured spoonable CRÈME.

Take the Next Step

Know the signs of malnutrition: 

  • Unintentional weight loss in the past 3–6 months
  • Reduced appetite 
  • Feeling weak 

Avoiding certain foods due to concerns about blood glucose

What to do:

1.       Discuss diabetes-specific nutritional support with a healthcare professional if diet alone is not enough.

2.       Choose low-GI foods and include protein with meals.6

An older man and woman sit together at a laptop whilst enjoying a Diben Vanilla-flavoured Drink, designed to support the nutritional needs of those with diabetes.



*Diben® is a food for special medical purposes for the dietary management of patients with, or at risk of, malnutrition, particularly those with impaired glucose metabolism. Use under medical supervision.
1Diabetes Care 2019;42 (5):731-754 
2diabetesatlas.org
3 Olveira G et al. Nutr Hosp. 2012;27(6):1837–1849.
4 Barazzoni R et al. Clin Nutr. 2017;36(2):355–363.
5 Elia M et al. Diabetes Care. 2005;28(9):2267–2279.
6Can J Diabetes 2018;42:S64-S79