Changing dietary habits in persons living with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To describe changes in eating behavior and analyze subjects' perceptions regarding a diabetes diet.

METHODS

Qualitative study was conducted with 45 semistructured interviews; 21 men and 24 women who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were included. Sample size was determined by theoretical sampling. Responses were grouped into codes that described concepts, themes, and subthemes.

RESULTS

Three phases were identified: initial, accommodation-adaptation, and crisis. The most significant difficulties were controlling appetite increase, replacing animal fats with vegetable fats and meat with legumes and vegetables, and eating with others.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Eating behavior changes over time, with several stages, when a person lives with type 2 diabetes. Strict adherence to diet is only temporary and short-term. Further research is needed to help ill persons after they receive their first diet prescription.