Diabetes Nutrition and Diet 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended daily sodium intake for adults with diabetes who also have hypertension?
- Less than 1,500 mg (Correct answer)
- Less than 2,300 mg
- Less than 3,000 mg
- Less than 4,000 mg
Correct answer: Less than 1,500 mg
The ADA recommends limiting sodium to less than 1,500 mg per day for people with diabetes and hypertension to protect cardiovascular health.
Question 2: Which meal timing strategy is specifically supported by research to improve insulin sensitivity?
- Eating one large meal per day
- Front-loading calories earlier in the day (Correct answer)
- Consuming most calories at dinner
- Skipping breakfast daily
Correct answer: Front-loading calories earlier in the day
Research shows that eating more calories earlier in the day aligns with natural circadian insulin rhythms and improves overall blood glucose control.
Question 3: Which fruit has the HIGHEST glycemic index and should be consumed cautiously by people with diabetes?
- Cherries
- Watermelon (Correct answer)
- Strawberries
- Grapefruit
Correct answer: Watermelon
Watermelon has a high glycemic index of approximately 76, meaning it raises blood glucose more rapidly than most other fruits.
Question 4: Resistant starch, found in cooled cooked potatoes and rice, benefits people with diabetes because it:
- Increases caloric absorption
- Acts like dietary fiber and slows glucose release (Correct answer)
- Converts directly to fat
- Raises blood sugar quickly
Correct answer: Acts like dietary fiber and slows glucose release
Resistant starch resists digestion in the small intestine, acting like fiber to slow glucose absorption and improve gut health.
Question 5: Which dietary pattern has been shown to put Type 2 diabetes into remission in some patients?
- High-carbohydrate, low-fat diet
- Very low calorie diet (800 kcal/day) (Correct answer)
- High-protein, high-sodium diet
- Moderate-fat, high-fiber diet
Correct answer: Very low calorie diet (800 kcal/day)
Studies like the DiRECT trial demonstrated that a very low calorie diet of approximately 800 kcal/day can achieve diabetes remission through significant weight loss.
Question 6: Chromium is a trace mineral that may benefit people with Type 2 diabetes because it:
- Lowers triglycerides directly
- Enhances insulin's action at the cellular level (Correct answer)
- Increases glucagon secretion
- Reduces appetite by stimulating leptin
Correct answer: Enhances insulin's action at the cellular level
Chromium is a cofactor for insulin, helping it bind to receptors more effectively and improving glucose uptake by cells.
Question 7: A patient with diabetes asks about using agave nectar as a healthier sweetener. The BEST response is:
- Agave is ideal because it has a low glycemic index
- Agave is high in fructose and can worsen liver insulin resistance (Correct answer)
- Agave has zero calories and is safe in unlimited amounts
- Agave raises blood sugar faster than table sugar
Correct answer: Agave is high in fructose and can worsen liver insulin resistance
Agave nectar is approximately 70-90% fructose, which, despite its low GI, can increase liver fat and worsen insulin resistance over time.
Diabetes Nutrition and Diet 3
What is the recommended daily sodium intake for adults with diabetes who also have hypertension?