Effect of low-glycemic-index dietary advice on dietary quality and food choice in children with type 1 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
The practicality of diets with a low glycemic index (GI) is controversial. Theoretically, low-GI diets may limit food choice and increase dietary fat intake, but there is little objective evidence to support such a theory.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine the effect of low-GI dietary advice on dietary quality and food choice in children with diabetes.


METHODS
Children aged 8-13 y with type 1 diabetes (n = 104) were recruited to a prospective, randomized study comparing the effects of traditional carbohydrate-exchange dietary advice (CHOx) with those of more flexible low-GI dietary advice (LowGI). We determined the effect on long-term macronutrient intake and food choice with the use of 3-d food diaries.


RESULTS
There were no differences in reported macronutrient intakes during any of the recording periods. After 12 mo, intakes of dietary fat (33.5 +/- 5.6% and 34.2 +/- 6.7% of energy, P = 0.65), carbohydrate (48.8 +/- 5.4% and 48.6 +/- 6.5% of energy, P = 0.86), protein (17.6 +/- 2.5% and 17.3 +/- 3.7% of energy, P = 0.61), total sugars, and fiber did not differ significantly between the CHOx and LowGI groups, respectively. The average number of different carbohydrate food choices per day also did not differ significantly. Subjects in the lowest-GI quartile consumed less carbohydrate as potato and white bread, but more carbohydrate as dairy-based foods and whole-grain breads than did subjects in the highest-GI quartile.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with diabetes who receive low-GI dietary advice do not report more limited food choices or a diet with worse macronutrient composition than do children who consume a traditional carbohydrate-exchange diet.
Gilbertson
Heather R
HR
Department of Nutrition and Food Services, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. heather.gilbertson@rch.org.au
Thorburn
Anne W
AW
Brand-Miller
Jennie C
JC
Chondros
Patty
P
Werther
George A
GA
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates