Nutritional Needs for Diabetic Children

Well balanced, healthy meals are important for all children, but children with diabetes have to consider amounts, medications and exercise when planning every meal. Meal planning is essential in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic children. With the help of a registered dietitian and your child's diabetes care team, an individual meal plan can bring close to normal blood sugars. Normal blood sugars are important to the health of children with diabetes.

Nutrition

• High fat foods are digested slowly and therefore not recommended because of later blood sugar spikes, leading to less control. Low-fat, low-calorie foods are easily digested and enable better blood sugar control. Food labels supply an abundance of information on serving size, total grams of carbohydrates, calories and sodium content. Learn to read them. Stay away from foods high in saturated and trans fats. They can lead to heart disease and strokes.

Meal Plans

• Healthy meal plans will include vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Individualized meal plans allow flexibility in food choices and, occasionally, even sweets can be incorporated into the meal plan. With younger diabetic children, it is especially hard to get them to eat a balanced meal, but with individualized meal plans there is a better chance by including some of the foods they enjoy.

Amounts

• The Juvenile Diabetes Association suggests the use of the carbohydrate counting system to help regulate blood sugars. Portion control and the use of fast-acting insulin allow children with diabetes to eat the same as other children. It is important to know the exact amount of food intake in order to give the correct amount of insulin. According to The Joslin Diabetes Center, daily caloric intake should consist of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 to 35 percent fat, and 20 to 30 percent protein.

Medications

• The introduction of fast-acting insulins has provided for a less restrictive lifestyle and better diabetes management for children with diabetes. The amount of insulin given is in direct correlation to the amount of carbohydrates consumed and the level and duration of activity expected. Insulin therapy combined with counting carbohydrates equals better blood sugar control. Your child's individual insulin-to-carb ratio is best determined by your child's diabetes care team.

Exercise

• Encourage your child to participate in regular physical activity, more activity equals less insulin, just be aware that often, physical activity lowers blood sugars for up to 12 hours, necessitating frequent blood sugar monitoring. An unexpected blood sugar drop can lead to serious and even fatal consequences if not addressed immediately. Consult your child's diabetes care team before changing any routine exercise regimen. Learning your child's blood sugar reaction to certain physical activities can prevent future complications.