What test is used to determine if a diabetic has been adhering to their diet?

The glycosylated hemoglobin test, commonly known as HbA1c, is a crucial tool in evaluating long-term blood glucose control in individuals with diabetes. This test measures the average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months by analyzing the percentage of hemoglobin that is glycated, or bound to glucose. A higher HbA1c level indicates poor adherence to dietary recommendations and diabetes management, as it reflects chronic hyperglycemia.

In the context of monitoring adherence to a diabetic diet, the HbA1c serves as a more comprehensive indicator than a single blood glucose test, which provides only a snapshot of glucose levels at a specific moment in time. While the lipid profile and urinalysis can provide valuable health information, they do not directly assess glycemic control or dietary adherence in the same manner as the HbA1c test does.