An integral part of the medical treatment for a specific disease state that improves the outcome and speeds up recovery. Components of medical nutrition therapy include nutrition screening, nutrition assessment, and nutrition treatment.
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) defines this as the assessment of patient nutritional status followed by therapy, ranging from diet modification to administration of specialized nutrition therapies such as intravenous or tube feedings.
Nutritional counseling and drug prescriptions provided to patients with type 2 diabetes by dietitians or other nutritional specialists. The goal of MNT is to maintain blood glucose and lipid levels and blood pressure readings within normal limits. Unlike more restrictive diet plans, MNT allows the patient to eat a regular diet, including sugar, enhancing compliance, as long as carbohydrate intake is consistent each day. Consistent carbohydrate intake helps the provider and patient to regulate insulin doses.