New York, NY (AHN)-According to a newly released study, many adolescents and young adults with diabetes have diets that fall far short of what's recommended to help manage their disease.

According to a report published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, of the nearly 1,700 diabetics between 10 to 22 years old in the study, only 6.5 percent limited saturated fat to recommended levels, while less than 20 percent met recommendations for fruits and vegetables.

The report also finds that diets were low in vitamin E and fiber, and none of subjects ate enough whole grains.

The study's lead author, Dr. Elizabeth J. Mayer-Davis, says, "It is extremely important that dietary habits in youths with diabetes promote long-term health."

Although the study did not look at the reasons for the poor diets, Mayer-Davis recommends parents help their diabetic children choose heart-healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains and low-fat dairy foods.