Final answer:
The general guideline for patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes attending a nutrition class is to limit fats to 30% or less of total calories, include protein as 15% of total calories, and derive most calories from complex carbohydrates.
Step-by-step explanation:
When teaching a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a nutrition class, it is important to provide general guidelines for their diet. One important guideline is to limit fats to 30% or less of total calories. This means that low-fat generally indicates low sugar. Another guideline is to ensure that protein constitutes 15% of total calories. Lastly, it is important to emphasize that most calories should be derived from complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide energy as well as essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.