[Nutrition recommendations for people with diabetes (Update 2026)]

All people with diabetes should receive an individualized nutritional medical consultation and education provided by qualified professionals, depending on the type of diabetes and treatment. The focus is still on a patient-centered and personalized counselling, tailored to the specific needs, lifestyle and type of diabetes. The aim is to support the implementation of a balanced diet while jointly defining realistic metabolic and weight goals to positively influence the disease progression and prevent long-term complications. Particular emphasis should be placed on practical, food-based recommendations that take personal food preferences into account and include tools for planning appropriate portion sizes and a balanced meal composition. In accordance with current international and national standards, people with diabetes should have access to ongoing nutrition counselling and education. During the consultation they should be supported in self-management of their health condition and learn to be able to make a better estimation of the postprandial reaction to food and drinks and to positively influence this by an appropriate selection of foods and beverages. These practical recommendations summarize the most recent literature on nutritional aspects of diabetes.