We investigated the levels of intake of essential nutrients in 51 patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The mean daily intake in males was 223 +/- 55 g carbohydrates, 111 +/- 22 g fat and 112 +/- 27 g protein. In females the mean daily intake was 166 +/- 36 g carbohydrates, 78 +/- 23 g fat and 97 +/- 25 g protein. the percentage of calories from carbohydrates, fat and protein was for males 36:40:18 and for females 37:39:21 respectively. The daily intake of dietary fiber was 32.5 +/- 8.0 g in men and 28.3 +/- 6.4 g in women. The mean linoleic acid intake was 12 +/- 5 g/day in men and 9 +/- 4 g in women. A marginal deficiency of linoleic acid was found in 15% of men and in 25% of women. The P/S ratio of the diet was 0.35. The consumption of vitamins, minerals and trace elements differed considerably from the recommended dietary allowances.

Forty patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were investigated regarding their individual diet history, including dietary pattern and dietary habits. The energy intake in men was 2,180 +/- 460 kcal/day. The carbohydrate content was 192 +/- 57 g/day (38 +/- 7%), protein 93 +/- 20 g/day (19 +/- 3%) and fat 96 +/- 26 g/day (43 +/- 7%). Nutritional intake of saturated fatty acids was 37 +/- 11 g/day, whereas the intake of polyenic acid was 14 +/- 5 g/day. Thus the p/s-quotient was 0.4 +/- 0.1. The cholesterol intake amounted to 396 +/- 165 mg/day. The dietary fibre content was 33 +/- 21 g/day. The caloric intake of women was 1,800 kcal/day. The daily amount of carbohydrate was 154 +/- 46 g/day (37 +/- 6%), of protein 82 +/- 21 g/day (20 +/- 4%), of fat 82 +/- 32 g/day (43 +/- 6%). Saturated fatty acids were 33 +/- 14 g/day, polyenic acid 11 +/- 5 g/day, the p/s-quotient 0.4 +/- 0.2. The cholesterol intake was calculated to be 341 +/- 118 mg/day. The supply of electrolytes, trace elements and vitamins was often marginal. We found that usually practiced diabetes diet is too fatty, rich in cholesterol and poor in carbohydrate and fibre. As a result of the high amount of fat, which comprises 43% of the total calories and the low p/s-quotient of 0.4, the diet must be considered atherogenic.