Diabetes: support for those at risk of malnutrition in the community.

Diet is the cornerstone of treatment in diabetes and dietary advice should be tailored to the individual and their circumstances. This article focuses on patients with diabetes who are identified as being at risk of malnutrition and community nurses are ideally placed to meet patients' continuum of health needs. Emphasis should be put on nutritional support, encouraging food fortification (some recipes will need adapting), full-fat products and high-energy snacks. Diabetes treatment will need to be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in the patient's needs. Glycaemic targets need to be agreed with the patient and those at risk of hypoglycaemia identified. Strategies should be put in place for minimising risk and a clear treatment plan implemented. In cases where the risk of malnutrition is resolved, the patient and family may need support returning to previous dietary recommendations.