Most People with Type 1 Diabetes Receive Some Nutrition Counseling—But Many Want More

Researchers in Germany conducted an online survey between August 2021 and April 2022 to understand how nutrition counseling is delivered to people with diabetes in clinical practice. The survey included 1,208 adults: 594 with Type 1 diabetes and 614 with Type 2 diabetes.

The results showed that nutrition counseling is fairly common but not universal. Among those with Type 1 diabetes, 66.8% reported having received dietary counseling at some point. However, when researchers looked at ongoing support, the picture changed: only 44.9% of Type 1 diabetes participants said they had received repeated or regular dietary counseling sessions.

When nutrition counseling was provided, it came from various sources. For Type 1 diabetes patients, nutritionists and dietitians delivered about 42% of the counseling sessions reported in the survey. This suggests that while specialized nutrition professionals are involved in diabetes care, other healthcare providers—such as physicians, nurses, or diabetes educators—also play a role in offering dietary guidance.

Despite existing counseling services, most survey participants expressed wanting more. The majority of people with diabetes—both Type 1 and Type 2—identified a need for improvements in nutrition counseling, including more frequent sessions and better-quality support.

Importantly, the survey found that the amount of nutrition counseling people received was not related to their body weight or the type of diabetes medication they used. This suggests that counseling availability may depend on other factors, such as access to services or healthcare system design, rather than medical need alone.

Clinical guidelines recognize nutrition therapy and counseling as essential parts of diabetes management. This survey highlights a real-world gap: while many people with Type 1 diabetes do receive some dietary guidance, continuous support is less common. The findings suggest there may be room to expand and improve how nutrition counseling is offered in diabetes care settings.

If you have Type 1 diabetes and feel you need more nutrition support, talking with your healthcare team about referrals to a registered dietitian or nutritionist may be a helpful step.

Source: Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes : official journal, German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.