Dietary Survey of Japanese Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on a Low-Carbohydrate Diet: An Observational Study

Abstract

The nutrient intake of persons with diabetes placed on a low-carbohydrate diet remains unclear. This study aimed to assess nutrient intake in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with a low-carbohydrate diet. The brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire was used to collect the dietary information of 335 outpatients at Kitasato Institute Hospital, while their clinical characteristics were collected from their electronic medical records. The median age, HbA1c level, and body mass index of the participants were 68 (60–74) years, 49 (45–55) mmol/mol [6.7 (6.3–7.2)%], and 24.0 (21.8–26.7) kg/m2, respectively; median energy intake was 1457 (1153–1786) kcal/day; and protein–energy, fat–energy, and available carbohydrate–energy ratios were 18.6 (15.7–21.4)%E, 36.8 (31.6–43.2)%E, and 34.6 (26.0–42.4)%E, respectively. As the available carbohydrate–energy ratio decreased, the fat–energy ratio increased significantly. The total dietary fibre and salt intake were 7.1 (5.6–8.4) g/1000 kcal and 6.5 (5.6–7.5) g/1000 kcal, respectively. Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus placed on a low-carbohydrate diet had a fat-to-energy ratio exceeding 30%, while the fat–energy ratio increased as the carbohydrate–energy ratio decreased.