Present knowledge of etiopathogenesis of various types of diabetes postulate substantial differences between type I and type II diabetes. Whereas type I diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic B-cells and subsequent absolute lack of insulin, type II diabetes is connected with insulin resistance and frequently with rather relative lack of sometimes absolutely elevated plasmatic insulin. From the viewpoint of the diet therapy an access to both types of diabetes fairly differs. Whilst in type I diabetes it is necessary to find out relationship among preprandial insulin dose, received carbohydrates, and expected physical activity soon after meal, treatment of type II diabetes is based in an effort to influence insulin resistance and the whole metabolic syndrome. Therefore, on one side carbohydrates with low glycemic index and plenty of fibers are administered in a diet and on the other side monoenic and polyenic fatty acids are preferred to saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids are continuously reduced in a diet. Of course, diets for patients with overweight and for obese patients are low energy. From the viewpoint of the current structure of the diabetic diets it is suitable to differentiate diets for patients with type I and type II diabetes. Instead of the use of a fix proportion of nutrients we have to discuss diets with regard to a qualitative composition of fatty acids in fats, glycemic index of sacharides, and an amount of fibers in the diet.

        Key words: Diabetic diet - Insulin resistance - Carbohydrates - Fatty acids - Fibres