Type 1 Diabetes Diet For Children

The type 1 diabetes diet for children is not much different from the diet of a normal healthy child. All they need is a diet with balanced nutrients. Certainly the carbohydrate content in the food needs to be monitored properly. So when planning daily meals for their children, parents have to be cautious about the amount of carbohydrate and include more high-fiber foods in the diet. For a child suffering from type 1 diabetes, the amount of carbohydrates eaten will determine the insulin dosage. Therefore, carbohydrate count is very important when planning the meal for type 1 diabetic children.

All growing kids need various nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, dietary fiber and other vitamins and minerals for optimum growth. Among these nutrients, carbohydrates has the most effect on their blood glucose level as compared to other nutrients. So by controlling the intake of carbohydrates type1 diabetes in children can be easily checked. Since every child’s response to carbohydrates is different, it is better if parents could get help from a registered dietician when developing diabetes meal plan for their children.

Children have the habit of eating sweets or anything that suits their taste buds. So it is the duty of the parents to plan the diet cautiously. Following points should always be kept in mind while planning a diet plan for type1 diabetes:

• The types of food the child usually eats should be reviewed by the parent or the dietician and a proper meal plan should be built accordingly. Insulin intake should be part of the diet plan.

• Always remain consistent. Meals and snacks should be eaten at the same time every day. Do not let the child skip meals and snacks. The amount and types of food (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) should be consistent everyday.

• Learn how to read food labels to understand and plan a child’s carbohydrate intake.

• Use insulin at the same time each day.

Proper diet planning is very important if a child suffers from type1 diabetes, as the type and amount of food a child eats affects the child’s blood sugar levels. If the child eats too much, his blood sugar may go up too high. If he skips meals, his blood sugar may go too low. A balance of food, exercise and medication is required to maintain a balanced blood sugar level. The child should be supplemented with a healthy meal that includes right amounts of carbohydrates, proteins and fat. So, it’s up to the parents to monitor the eating habits of their child. With a little bit of care and by following a proper type 1 diabetes diet plan, your child can always lead a healthy life.

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