Dietary management of adults with type 2 diabetes and the role of the nurse

Dietary strategies for the management of patients with type 2 diabetes can be effective in maintaining glycaemic control. In some cases, the use of specific and supervised dietary strategies can result in remission of the condition. Despite this, the use of anti-diabetes medicines remains the prevailing focus of treatment guidelines. Nurses in primary care are involved in all aspects of management of patients with type 2 diabetes, including advising on lifestyle changes such as diet. This article considers some of the barriers and enablers to dietary management of patients with type 2 diabetes and offers practical advice that nurses can share with their patients. The author also discusses remission of type 2 diabetes and the dietary approaches used to achieve this.