Promoting Healthy Eating Among Older Adults With Diabetes

Incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly in the United States, especially among older adults. Older adults with diabetes face additional challenges in managing their diabetes compared with younger adults. There is no one "diabetic diet" and interventions should be individualized on the basis of cognitive function, activity level, and willingness to self-manage. This article reviews nutrition principles for older adults with diabetes. The article encourages healthcare professionals who see older adults throughout their course of treatment of diabetes or related conditions to promote healthy eating.