Diet for Type 1 Diabetes Child

A healthy diet is the important part of everyone’s life whether you are child, adult or mature person. Diet is the best way to manage your child’s type 1 diabetes. Do you know? The recommended diet for the child suffering from type 1 diabetes is the same diet recommended for all children. But the only difference is to count the crabs to manage the blood sugars.

Diet for Type 1 Diabetes Child

#1. Carbohydrates for Blood Sugar Control

Carbohydrates are the nutrients in food that affect blood sugar. Grains, fruits, milk, and sweets contain carbs. To help with blood sugar management, your child should eat a specified amount of carbs at each meal or snack. General recommendations range from 45 to 60 grams at each meal and 15 grams at each snack, but your doctor or dietitian can help you determine your child's specific carb needs. Food labels and carb counting books can help you count the grams of carbs in the food your child eats.

#2. Snacks That Don't Affect Blood Sugar

Some children are never hungry, while others are always asking for food. If your child with Type 1 diabetes is hungry but it does not quite meal or snack time, it's always a good idea to have a list of snack foods at the ready that do not affect blood sugars. Options include celery and peanut butter, cucumbers with low-fat salad dressing, a handful of nuts, low-fat string cheese, or turkey and lettuce rolls.

#3. Protein and Fat for Energy and Growth

The good news is that fat and protein does not affect blood sugar. Protein supports growth and development, while fat supplies energy. Protein foods, such as meat and cheese, should be included in two or more meals and snacks. You child should consume fats like oils and nut butter in moderate amounts. To help limit fat intake, include low-fat or nonfat dairy products.

#4. Putting It All Together

A sample menu can help you with your meal planning. A breakfast for your child might include a whole-wheat English muffin topped with peanut butter, 1 cup of nonfat milk and a small banana. For a midmorning snack, offer 6 ounces of low-fat yogurt. A healthy lunch might include a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread with a small apple, carrot sticks and four whole-grain crackers. For the afternoon snack, 3 cups of air-popped popcorn. A carb-controlled dinner for your child might include 1 1/2 cups of macaroni and cheese, 1 cup of nonfat milk and a tossed salad with low-fat salad dressing. To finish out the day, feed your child a handful of almonds mixed with 2 tablespoons of raisins.

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Some General Guidelines Regarding Diet

The diet for children with Type 1 diabetes should be balanced and include a variety of foods from all of the food groups. Your child should eat regularly to help control blood sugars and meet nutrient needs. A healthy meal plan for children with Type 1 diabetes should include three meals and three snacks. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about meal and snack times so they coordinate with insulin dosing and activity.