Web-based nutrition program supports more people with type 2 diabetes

Key points:

• Australia currently has 1.3 million people living with type 2 diabetes and around 180 new type 2 diabetes cases are diagnosed every day
• Carbohydrate is the nutrient that will have the biggest impact on your blood glucose levels. The effect of carbohydrates will depend on the type and the amount of it you eat 
• For some people, a lower carbohydrate diet may help with diabetes management

A low carbohydrate nutrition program delivered online has been shown to significantly improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

The findings suggest web-based dietary education can help support those with type 2 diabetes alongside standard care – particularly for those in regional and remote settings. 

Dr Jedha Dening led the T2Diet Study at Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) said diet played an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but dietary education and support can be difficult to access, especially in rural and remote areas.

“This is also one of the few studies internationally to show web-based nutrition programs can be confidently offered to people to improve diabetes self-management.”

As the first Australian study to show web-based dietary interventions across a series of modules can support self-management of type 2 diabetes, participants achieved significant health improvements in just a short time.

Program participants saw more improvements to their health compared to the group receiving standard care only, including reductions in blood sugar levels, weight, body mass index, and diabetes medication.

“The program helps people improve their nutrition knowledge, better understand their diabetes, and build the confidence to make choices that more closely align with their diabetes health goals,” Dr Dening said.

For more information, visit the T2Diet website.