Abstract:
The overall prevalence of diabetes in Sri Lanka is as high as 14.2 % for men and 13.5 % for women. Self-management
education on food choices and meal planning for people with diabetes is important in the management of diabetes.
The carbohydrate counting concept which is a simple and easily understandable method for food choices and meal
planning has not been used as a nutrition educational tool in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to develop a nutrition
educational tool using carbohydrate counting concept for adults with diabetes in Sri Lanka. Different types of
educational tools were reviewed and a booklet was selected as the nutritional educational tool. The content validity
and format of the draft booklet were proved in order to getting the right message and easily to read by the experts. The
developed nutrition educational tool is colourful booklet with 13 cm in width and 20 cm in length. The booklet is
composed of 2 sections. The first section provides the general information on diabetes, and dietary management
strategies of diabetes such as plate model and food exchange list. The second section describes on types of
carbohydrate, carbohydrate containing food groups, carbohydrate content in one portion exchange for each food
groups and the steps of carbohydrate counting. The developed educational too is a self-help guide for estimating
carbohydrate amount in commonly used Sri Lankan foods. The booklet also provides a preliminary guide illustrating
the printed nutrition information material on carbohydrate counting for people with diabetes in Sri Lanka.
