Nutrition and Dietetics Students Visit Galiawa Educational Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology
On Monday, 20 October 2025, fourth-year students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University–Erbil visited the Galiawa Educational Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology under the supervision of Lecturer Dr. Saleh Mustafa Zebari.
The group was received by Dr. Mohammed Hasan Mustafa, Nutrition Specialist. The session enhanced students’ clinical understanding of nutrition care for diabetes. Dr. Mohammed outlined the full nutrition assessment workflow, including anthropometric measurements (weight, BMI, waist circumference), relevant laboratory tests (fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile), diet history and 24-hour recall, medication and insulin review, and lifestyle factors.
He demonstrated how these assessments guide medical nutrition therapy, including setting glycemic targets, estimating energy and macronutrient needs, and tailoring meal plans. Practical tools were emphasized, such as the plate method, carbohydrate counting (portions and exchanges), label reading, and interpreting glycemic index and load.
A live case exercise illustrated how to match carbohydrate portions to insulin regimens and distribute intake across meals to reduce post-prandial glucose spikes. Safety topics were also covered, including hypoglycemia recognition, hydration, fiber intake, and culturally appropriate substitutions for common local dishes.
Students engaged in discussions on counseling strategies, assessing patient readiness to change, and using self-monitoring data (e.g., glucometer logs) to adjust nutrition plans between clinic visits.
The visit provided hands-on insight into structured assessment and individualized medical nutrition therapy for diabetes. Students reported improved competence in meal planning, carbohydrate counting, and patient counseling. Course activities will incorporate the case materials demonstrated at the center.
