Table 2.
Evidence-Based Algorithm for the use of Diabetes-Specific Nutrition Formulas in Prediabetes, Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
| Overweight/obese individuals | Use 2 to 3 diabetes-specific nutrition formulas
a
as part of a reduced calorie meal plan, as a calorie replacement for meal, partial meal, or snack (grade C; LOE 3) Calorie goals (from diabetes-specific nutrition formulas and from other healthy dietary sources):
|
|
| Normal weight individuals | Uncontrolled diabetes HbA1c>7% | 1 to 2 diabetes-specific nutrition formulas per day to be incorporated into a meal plan, as a calorie replacement for meal, partial meal, or snack (grade D; LOE 4) |
| Controlled diabetes HbA1c<7% | Use of diabetes-specific nutrition formulas should be based on clinical judgement and individual assessment b (grade D; LOE 4) | |
| Underweight individuals | Use of diabetes-specific nutrition supplements c 1 to 3 units/d per clinical judgement based on desired rate of weight gain and clinical tolerance (grade D; LOE 4) | |
Adapted from (27).
LOE 1: data defined as conclusive results from prospective, randomized controlled trials that have large subject populations representative of the target population and results that are easily generalized to the target population. Data also include results from meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, results from multicenter trials, and “all or none” evidence; LOE 2: data include conclusive results from individual randomized controlled trials that have limited subject numbers or target population representation; LOE 3: data include all other conclusive clinical findings from nonrandomized studies, studies without controls, and nonexperimental or observational studies. These data may require interpretation and, by themselves, are not compelling; LOE 4: data are defined as information based solely on experience or expert opinion and are not necessarily substantiated by any conclusive scientific data. Frequently, only LOE 4 data are available.
Diabetes-specific nutrition formulas are nutritional products used as replacement for meals, partial meals, or snacks to replace calories in the diet.
Individuals who may have muscle mass and/or function loss and/or micronutrient deficiency may benefit from diabetes-specific nutrition supplements. Individuals who need support with weight maintenance and/or a healthy meal plan could benefit from diabetes-specific nutrition formulas.
Diabetes-specific nutrition supplements are complete and balanced nutritional products used in addition to a typical meal plan, to help promote increased nutritional intake.