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Getting The Right Nutrition With Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot control blood glucose levels. When poorly managed, blood glucose becomes too high (hyperglycaemia), which, over time, can contribute to complications like eye problems and kidney disease. 

Alongside treatment, optimising diet is key.1 But many people also face an invisible 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 diet changes aren’t enough, diabetes-specific oral nutritional supplements such as the Diben range* can help. They are designed to support blood sugar control to slow and lower the rise in blood glucose in people who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, by including modified carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fibre. 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

The Diben* range comes in a variety of formats and flavours to help long-term adherence. 6,7

Drinks - Ready to drink, standard or high energy 
Crèmes - Spoonable, IDDSI Level 4 (extremely thick), standard or high energy
Powder - Mix with water
Tube Feed - When oral nutrition is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated

Available in a wide variety of flavours.

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 blood sugar fears

What to do:

  1. Discuss diabetes-specific nutrition with healthcare professionals if diet alone isn't enough
  2. Choose low GI foods and include protein with meals8
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 products are food for special medical purposes, to be used under medical supervision. For the dietary management of patients with/at risk of malnutrition, especially with impaired glucose metabolism.
1Diabetes Care 2019;42 (5):731-754 
2diabetesatlas.org
3Garin Group Nutr Hosp, 2012
4Barazzoni R, Deutz NEP, Biolo G et al. Carbohydrates and insulin resistance in clinical nutrition:
5Elia M, Ceriello A, Laube H et al. Enteral nutritional support and use of diabetes-specific formulas for patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Care. 2005 Sep;28(9):2267-79
6Pohl M, Mayr P, Mertl-Roetzer M et al. Glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with a disease-specific enteral formula: stage II of a randomized, controlled multicenter trial. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2009;33(1):37–49.
7Diben DRINK products were tested against comparable competitor products by an independent, professional institute for sensorial analysis (SAM ASAP Institute Munich)8Can J Diabetes 2018;42:S64-S79