Welcome to the Nutrition Unit!
Welcome to the Nutrition Unit at Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI), where we emphasize the role of Nutrition in diabetes prevention and management. Our goal is to transform the health and wellbeing of people living with diabetes and those at risk. We are dedicated to providing the highest standards of patient-centric, evidence-based nutritional care, advancing nutritional knowledge through research, and educating the next generation of dietitians.
Our team of dietitians works closely with other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care to patients. Through our clinics and educational programs, we offer innovative services based on the latest research findings. Our aim is to assist people in maintaining an optimum lifestyle by promoting healthy eating and exercise to prevent and manage diabetes. Our services include helping people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission, guiding and supporting people on their weight loss journey, and teaching carbohydrate counting.
For healthcare professionals, we provide specialized training and shadowing opportunities to enhance their expertise in nutrition and diabetes care in line with recent guidelines.
As part of the larger DDI community, we actively participate in institutional activities, projects, research collaborations, and services. We also engage in in-house and community outreach awareness events to promote healthy lifestyles and eating habits.
For Our Patients
1. Individualized Consultation Sessions
Our dietitians offer personalized medical nutrition therapy through one-on-one counseling sessions to help patients manage their diabetes and related health conditions. We work closely with patients to set dietary goals and develop tailored meal plans that align with their preferences and lifestyle, emphasizing shared decision-making throughout the process. We continuously monitor progress, considering dietary and other lifestyle factors. These consultations take place in a private, supportive, and encouraging environment.
2. Remission Program
We offer a specialized program for adults with type 2 diabetes, focusing on improving health and potentially achieving diabetes remission. This evidence-based approach helps participants to reduce or even discontinue their diabetes medications while maintaining normal blood glucose levels. Since 2019, our program has supported patients through well-structured dietary plans and lifestyle modifications. While remission is more likely for those diagnosed within the last 6 years, who are overweight or obese, and not using insulin therapy, we provide ongoing support to help all participants improve their health and better manage their diabetes.
| Recent findings | ||
|---|---|---|
| 0.98% | 8.3% | 50% |
| Average reduction in HbA1c | Average reduction in weight | Average reduction in diabetes- related medications |
Join our Remission Program to start your journey toward diabetes remission and a healthier and more empowered life. Contact us at DDI WhatsApp number, Sunday to Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
3. Structured Educational Courses
Kuwait has one of the highest incidence rates of type 1 diabetes in children, many of whom face challenges in managing their condition. Recognizing these challenges, our Nutrition Unit developed structured educational courses designed to empower children with type 1 diabetes and their families. These courses provide essential knowledge and skills for effective diabetes management, delivered through interactive, group-based sessions, led by experienced dietitians and educators in a supportive environment.
Dasman Juniors (Ages 8 to 10 years): Launched in 2023, this 5-day course is tailored for younger children and their parents. It comprehensively covers a range of topics including an overview of diabetes, insulin management, diabetes protocols, and diet management.
Kids in Control of Food (KICk Off) program (Ages 11 to 14 years): Targeting older children, this 4-day course is culturally adapted from the United Kingdom’s KICk OFF program and has been running since 2015. It focuses on hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia management, sick day protocol, exercise protocol, dose adjustment, with an emphasis on advanced carbohydrate counting.
Join our community: If your child is aged between 8 and 14 years, has been managing type 1 diabetes for over 6 months, and is interested in joining our educational programs, please reach out to us at DDI WhatsApp number, Sunday to Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
4. Cooking Workshops
Our cooking workshops offer people with type 2 diabetes a unique opportunity to learn how to prepare nutritious, diabetes-friendly recipes for better blood glucose control. These classes blend science-based information with demonstration of practical culinary skills. The curriculum is designed to clarify common misconceptions about the impact of food on blood glucose, providing education on a variety of low carbohydrates options, and teaching the preparation of low carbohydrate meals. The workshops also foster a supportive community where participants can share their experiences.
We also offer cooking workshops specifically for children, aimed at improving diet quality and helping them adopt healthy eating and lifestyle habits. These sessions include interactive discussions, games, and hands-on cooking activities.
5. Coming Soon
Exciting new programs focused on nutrition and physical activity are on the way, designed to promote healthy lifestyle and overall well-being. Stay tuned for more updates!
For Healthcare Professionals
At the Nutrition Unit, we are dedicated to educating and equipping dietitians and healthcare professionals with the latest and best practices in diabetes care.
1. Specialized Training Course
We offer an intensive training course specifically designed for dietitians who wish to specialize in pediatric type 1 diabetes care. The course includes lectures and practical sessions, covering a comprehensive range of topics necessary for managing pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. These include diabetes pathophysiology and its complications, the effects of nutrients on blood glucose, advanced carbohydrate counting, fatty food protocol, nutrient recommendations, exercise and sick day protocols, ambulatory glucose profile report, insulin pumps and their report, among others.
2. Clinical Shadowing Opportunities
We also provide shadowing experiences in both adult and pediatric nutrition clinics, offering insights into the practical aspects of a dietitian’s role in diabetes care.
Enroll Today: Enhance your career in nutrition and diabetes care by joining our specialized training program. For more information about the course and shadowing opportunities, send an email to Nutrition.unit@dasmaninstitute.org or contact us at DDI phone number, Sunday to Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Research
International Weight Control Registry (IWCR): Addressing the rising global obesity rates, with Kuwait among one of the most affected countries, our dietitians have partnered as co-investigators in the “International Weight Control Registry” research study by Tufts University, USA. This collaboration aims to identify the most effective weight loss strategies to address obesity and its related comorbidities, including diabetes. This initiative is a key step in our efforts to develop local and global obesity management solutions.
