dietary management involves reducing both the digestible energy levels and the total non-structural carbohydrate (nsc) level of feed. nsc include starches, single sugars, and fructans, whereas cellulose and hemicelluloses are structural carbohydrates. high nsc levels cause a glucose and insulin spike following feeding, and may worsen insulin resistance. current recommendations for nsc levels are less than 10% of the diet on a dry matter basis.