The food consumption of 38 children newly diagnosed with diabetes aged < 6 years at diagnosis was assessed by 5 day food records. During the 2 year follow up, the proportion of the total energy intake made up of protein decreased from 20% to 18%, that of carbohydrates from 54% to 52%, and that of fat increased from 26% to 30%. The energy intake from sucrose (3%) did not change. In addition, There was a small decrease in the intake of fibre and several vitamins and minerals. One year after diagnosis, the diet of diabetic children was compared with that of 66 age, sex, and social status matched control children. More energy was derived from protein (19% v 15%) and carbohydrates (53% v 50%), and less from fat (28% v 35%), especially from saturated fatty acids (11% v 15%), and sucrose (3% v 16%) in the diet of children with diabetes compared with that of control children. The higher intakes of several vitamins and minerals reflected the higher nutrient density of the diet of children with diabetes. Therefore, the diet of young children with diabetes met the dietary recommendations for subjects with diabetes. Only the protein content of the diet was higher than necessary.