Different Dietary Interventions and Glycemia in T1DM

The aim of the present crossover study was to compare the effects of three different dietary patterns on glycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Three different isocaloric diets, namely, a Mediterranean style diet, a low-carbohydrate diet and a reference diet were provided to patients with T1D for three separate weeks, in a random order, and with 7-day washout periods in-between. Glycemia was assessed during each 7-day period using a continuous glucose monitoring system. Participants were recruited from the outpatient diabetes clinic of a University Hospital in Athens, Greece.

The primary outcome was time spent in euglycaemic range (TIR: 70-140mg/dl) during the diet period. Secondary outcomes were: (a) time spent below euglycaemic range (TBR: <70mg/dl); (b) time spent above euglycaemic range (TAR: >140mg/dl); (c) glycaemic variability and (d) insulin needs.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults with T1D receiving MDI therapy
• Sufficient education and knowledge on carbohydrate counting
• Motivation to follow a specific dietary schedule
• Frequent (7 times a-day) self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)
• Willingness to wear a CGM system

Exclusion criteria

• HbA1c >8%
• Lack of severe diabetic complications, such as cardiovascular disease, proliferative retinopathy, nephropathy with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 60 or gastroparesis