Assessment of present diet - Qualitatively Quantitatively.
	Planning along with the person and the physician, a suitable diet with built in variations, and a 'Carrot & Stick' approach taking into account the various factors like age, severity of diabetes mellitus, complications present, personal preferences and cultural habits.
	Targets a) Short term goals using medical nutrition therapy:this is where food substitutes - scientifically formulated - could play an important role in achieving rapid control b)Long term goals : to be achieved in a slow and sustained manner. Here, apart from the above, periodic (3 months) meeting with doctors & diet counselor will be of considerable help in clearing many mental cobwebs from the minds of the patients. Also, this is useful in motivation and morale boosting of the patients.
	AVOID THE FOLLOWING : Food Fads * Nutritional nonsense ** Crash Programmes Spurious and unscientific substances, which are widely advertised in the media and sold through shady outlets, Diabetic chocolates, cakes, jams biscuits, etc. Food exchange charts Glycaemic index charts
	Incorporate good food culture in your family (include young and old)

REMEMBER  -  REGULARITY - FLEXIBILITY - MODERATION