Eating plans are important when your child has type 1 diabetes. All diets affect blood sugar levels, and your doctor or dietitian can help parents develop the best plan for their child. Here is some information that all children and parents should know.
Maintain adequate nutrition with a variety of foods
Like normal children, children with type 1 diabetes need to eat nutrient-dense foods to help grow healthy and maintain a normal weight. Throughout the day, your child should get about 10% to 20% of his or her calories from protein, 25% to 30% from healthy fats, and about 50% to 60% from carbohydrates.
Choosing complex carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are found in most foods, not just bread and potatoes. Carbohydrates provide the energy the body and brain need to perform at their best. Parents need to guide their children to choose complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables and whole grains. These foods contain vitamins and minerals that help keep them healthy, and the fiber they contain helps control blood sugar levels.
Try to avoid single carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta and other processed grains, candy, and frosting, which can quickly raise blood sugar levels.
The amount of carbohydrates a child needs depends on weight, age, size, exercise, and the medications they are taking. A doctor or nutritionist can help parents figure out how many grams or servings a child should eat each day.
Counting the number of carbohydrates
Many families calculate the amount of carbohydrate intake at each meal or snack and then adjust insulin dosage to keep their child’s blood sugar levels stable.
The labels of packaged foods list the total amount of carbohydrates in each serving. You can subtract the grams of dietary fiber, which is not digested, and multiply the total by the number of foods your child eats. If cooking at home or eating out, parents can check carbohydrate counts and food portions online.
Fixed carbohydrate intake
Another option is to have your child eat a set amount of carbohydrates at each meal and snack. The child needs to eat at the same time each day and use insulin at a fixed time. It is not necessary to eat the same foods every day, but simply to stick to a constant total carbohydrate intake at each meal and snack. A constant carbohydrate intake schedule works for most children.
The diet “swap program”
With the Exchange Program, your child’s menu will include six different food groups: starches, fruits, milk, fats, vegetables, and meats. A food can be replaced with a food that has the same calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fats. For children with type 1 diabetes, dietitians are often concerned about carbohydrate food swaps because they can affect blood sugar levels. Parents can find a list of exchange diet plans online.
What to avoid when choosing foods
There are no specific foods to avoid for children, but here are some things to consider when meal planning and purchasing.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and therefore need to keep their children away from high-fat foods that contain cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats.
Avoid foods that are high in salt; consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure.
Limit sugary foods, such as candy, cookies, frosting, or soda. Such foods can raise blood sugar quickly and are best eaten with meals and with insulin. The dose of insulin needs to be adjusted according to the number of carbohydrates. Your child does not have to miss a meal for a special occasion such as a birthday or Halloween; he or she just needs to count the carbohydrates on the day.
Snacks you can take with you
“Sugar-free” snacks like cucumber, celery, or sugar-free gelatin contain almost no carbohydrates, so they have little impact on your child’s blood sugar levels. In addition, there are “regular carbohydrate snacks” that can be chosen between meals. Some kid-friendly snacks include: low-fat cheese, hard-boiled eggs, a few nuts, and sugar-free drinks.
Tackling high or low blood sugar
Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia may occur if a child eats more food than expected or eats at a different time than planned. If this happens, parents will need to make some adjustments to the plan. Also, parents need to talk with their diabetes team about adjusting their child’s meal plan or the dose of insulin or other medications.
Low blood sugar can cause serious problems that need immediate treatment. If a child eats a smaller meal or snack, or does not meet the planned carbohydrate intake, then the child’s blood glucose level can drop. This can also happen if the child uses insulin at the wrong time or exercises more than usual without snacking or adjusting the dose of insulin. If your child’s blood sugar level is low, have your child eat foods that contain sugar. Soda, orange juice, and even cake frosting can quickly raise blood sugar levels.
Parents can also carry glucose tablets with them or talk to their doctor about the possibility of using glucagon, a hormone that treats severe hypoglycemic reactions.
Record your child’s relevant data
Record your child’s carbohydrate intake, insulin dose, and blood glucose readings. These numbers can help parents and doctors check whether the diet plan is working.