Nutrition recommendations and eating habits among patients with type 1 diabetes - do they affect metabolic control?

Modern diabetic treatment of diabetes requires implementation of lifestyle changes, including modification of dietary habits. Nowadays there is a significant progress in therapies for patients with, that may favor greater liberty in eating behaviors. Diets that were used in order to improve metabolic control were changed. Modern treatment of diabetes by intensive functional insulin therapy allows much greater flexibility in eating habits and increases the variety in acceptable food products in comparison to more conventional insulin therapies. Thanks to this therapy, the change in patient's lifestyle caused by diabetes can be less visible and unpleasant. In spite of the progress in diabetic treatment, reaching a proper metabolic control is still a very difficult problem for a large number of patients. On the other hand, however, changing eating habits, including greater amount of fiber and low glycaemic index, is widely recommended in order to prevent the rate of development of chronic complications of diabetes. The aim of this article is to review current knowledge about diet and eating behaviors and its role in metabolic control and prevention of long term complications in type 1 diabetic patients.