Which aspect is crucial for nutritional therapy in a lean person with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)?

Timing meals is crucial for nutritional therapy in individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) because it plays a significant role in managing blood glucose levels throughout the day. For a person with IDDM, insulin is required to help regulate blood glucose, which means that the timing of food intake must align with insulin administration to avoid hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Proper meal timing can help ensure that glucose from meals enters the bloodstream at a rate that is manageable by the insulin administered, thus facilitating better glycemic control.

In those with IDDM, coordinating meal timing with insulin injections is essential to maintain stable blood glucose levels. This includes understanding when to eat in relation to the peak action times of the insulin used. Therefore, correctly managing when meals are consumed helps prevent fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which is particularly important for overall health and diabetes management.

The other options focus on either reducing caloric intake, maintaining calorie consistency, or adjusting feeding frequency, which do not directly address the essential role that meal timing plays in the context of insulin management and glucose control in individuals with IDDM.