Diabetes mellitus is a global disease, prevails all over the world, though the prevalence rate differs from country to country. Diabetes, a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, is characterized by high blood glucose level and glycosuria resulting from dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells and insulin resistance. In advance stages of diabetes, metabolism of protein and lipid is also altered. Many factors like heredity, age, obesity, diet, sex, sedentary life style, socio economic status, hypertension and various stresses are involved in the etiology of diabetes mellitus.

Drug, diet and recently spices therapies are the major approaches used for treatment and control of diabetes mellitus. In drug therapy, hypoglycemic medicines and insulin are used. In diet therapy, diet composition, amount, distribution and time of food intake are important factors. The diet must be acceptable, must supply adequate amount of nutrients, and be formulated in a way to normalize body weight. The diet for diabetic children should have sufficient calories for adequate nutrition, normal weight gain and growth.