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For the Patient
Patient Adherence
• Educating patients with DFUs about their increased dietary needs as well
as the best dietary sources of essential nutrients involved in wound healing
can lead to improved outcomes.
• Patients should be counselled on nutrition in a group or individually. It has
been demonstrated that when clinicians collaborate with the patient in a
meaningful exchange of information, HbA1c, quality of life and adherence is
improved.
• Patients should be educated on proper hydration, tracking daily glucose
targets, and consistency, including the use of reminder alarms throughout
the day.
• Patients may not be able to meet estimated needs with diet alone — do not
hesitate recommending oral nutrition supplements to help meet these needs.
Reminders for Patients to Help Control Blood Sugar
1. Patients should eat three meals a day and 1–2 snacks in-between meals
based on blood sugar levels and goals.
2. No skipping meals!
3. Patient should try to consistently eat the same amount of carbohydrates
at each meal.
4. If patient skips a meal, they should not try to make up for carbohydrates
not eaten, instead they should stay around same carbohydrate
recommendation for every meal.
5. Patients with T2DM should consume 20–35 g of fiber from raw vegetables
and unprocessed grain per day. The FDA advocates consumption of 25 g
dietary fiber per 2,000 calories consumed.
6. Diet should focus on whole grain foods, plenty of fiber, and choosing
foods that are less processed to avoid rapid spikes and drops of blood
sugar levels.
