There’s no shortage of nutrition advice for anyone diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes: cut all carbs, follow this meal plan, avoid that food group entirely. It can be a lot to sort through, especially when not every strategy can and will fit neatly and practically into your everyday life.
Instead of following a generic diet recommended to everyone with the same diagnosis, it may be worth exploring medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for diabetes for a more individualized approach to nutrition and blood sugar management.
What is medical nutrition therapy for diabetes?
Medical nutrition therapy for diabetes is a nutrition-focused treatment typically delivered by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). It involves a formal nutrition diagnosis and ongoing counseling to help individuals manage diabetes and any lifestyle changes that the condition may bring.
Going beyond general healthy eating advice, MNT is built around a person’s unique health goals, medical history, lifestyle, food preferences, budget, and cultural background.
MNT, which dietitians use in assisting with nutrition-related concerns, shouldn’t be confused with diabetes self-management training (DSMT), which tackles all aspects of diabetes and is provided by diabetes care and education specialists (DCESs).
Despite the differences between the two, MNT and DSMT function to complement one another. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that undergoing both services can yield better results than just proceeding with one or the other individually.
Additionally, because diabetes rarely exists in isolation, a dietitian providing MNT often works as part of a broader healthcare team, coordinating with physicians, diabetes educators, and other providers involved in a person’s care.
