A survey of the use of special food products by diabetics

A questionnaire concerning food consumption and artificial sweeteners has been used in Cardiff to assess the frequency with which special dietary products specifically promoted for diabetes are used. A total of 106 adults and 36 children attending clinics at the University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, completed the questionnaire. Seventy‐four per cent of people with diabetes indicated regular usage of special food products and 51% used them daily. Preserves, sweeteners, squash, sweets and chocolate were the most popular products: artificial sweeteners accounted for 45% of total usage.

Age had a significant effect on the consumption of these products with greatest popularity being amongst the under 18 age group. A significantly high proportion of insulin‐dependent diabetics used special food products compared with non‐insulin‐dependent (NIDDM) patients, whilst 26% of patients never used them at all.

The commonest reason for non‐use cited was: dietetic advice, high cost, poor palatability, lack of availability and unsuitability for use by other members of the family. Only NIDDM patients quoted dietetic advice as a reason not to use special products, whilst others disliked them because they were not sufficiently low in calories. Duration of diabetes and gender of patients did not significantly affect the use of the products or the type of product consumed.