Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable metabolic disorders. Proper diet can enhance glycemic control in diabetic patients by approximately 80%. This study aimed to determine the effects of nutritional education on the prevention of diabetes.

Methodology: In this review study, online databases including Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, Biomed Central, EMBASE, MagIran, SID and Iran Medex were searched to identify articles published during May 1995-January 2014.

Results: The effectiveness of nutritional education has been assessed, using different patterns and models including the Health Belief Model (HBM) and BASNEF educational model. According to different studies, diabetes is associated with different factors such as family history, environmental factors, immunocompromised status, nutritional status, overweight, lack of physical activity, age, high blood pressure, threatening cholesterol level, high triglyceride level, expanded urbanization and lifestyle changes.

Conclusion: According to the obtained results, some foodstuffs play an important role in preventing the development of type II diabetes. Prevention of diabetes is synonymous with the management and prevention of this disease. Therefore, adherence to a balanced diet is effective in the treatment and prevention of this condition.