RESUMO
Fifty-two commercially produced foods including chocolate, biscuits, wafers and jams for special use by diabetics were analysed for energy and major nutrient contents, and their nutritional quality and contribution to diabetic regimens were evaluated. The results indicated that means of nutrient contents were [g/100 g]; carbohydrates 43.8-57.5, fat 0.0-37.9, protein <0.2-10.2. Means of energy contents were 874-2369 kJ/100 g [208-564 kcal/100 g], with more contribution to energy from fat than from carbohydrate in two types of products. Mean levels of fructose and sorbitol were 26.9 and 39.8 g/100 g as calculated from declared values resembling 57% and 77% of the total carbohydrate contents, respectively. No significant differences were found between diabetic products and matched normal products in energy and nutrient contents. Due to their high caloric and fat content, and the possibility of misuse of them by patients with diabetes mellitus in Kuwait, legislation restricting the marketing of these food products is recommended