Diets for Diabetic Children
Diabetes is a condition where the body does not properly process sugar. There are several types of diabetes and the disease can affect children and adults at any time in their lives. Proper nutrition and medical care needs to be taken in order to live a normal life. While a diabetic child needs to follow a special diet, the diet should not be limiting. Instead, treat the diet as an educational process to assist a child manage the condition for the rest of his life.
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Function
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A diabetic child needs to learn about and watch how much he eats during a meal or snack along with the types of foods he is eating. It is important the child learns to balance the foods he eats so that one type of food is not eaten in excess, which can cause the sugar levels to unbalance.
Meal Planning
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Children do not need to be given special foods just because they are diabetic. It is best to prepare healthy foods for the entire family and not single out the diabetic child. When starting to plan meals for a diabetic family, consult a dietitian to learn the proper way to count sugar and carbohydrates. A dietitian will give sample meal ideas and assistance with food types based on the degree of diabetes the child has. Snacks should be included in meal planning as they prevent sugar levels from dropping low between meals. Snack ideas include crackers with peanut butter or cheese, low-fat yogurt, fruit, or milk and cereal.
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Balanced Diet
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A diabetic diet consists of approximately 50 percent of calories coming from complex carbohydrates. This includes pasta, bread, rice and starch vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are also important and need to be included in the diet. Protein should be from lean meats and include beans, eggs and cheese. Serve dairy products that are low- or non-fat. Additional fat and sugar should be given on a limited basis only.
Benefits
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Following a healthy diet as a family benefits the diabetic child along with the entire family. A diabetic child does not want to feel different, especially at a young age. Teaching him to follow a healthy diet the same as everyone else will raise his awareness level of the disease and make him feel more "normal."
Considerations
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A child that is suspected of having diabetes should be evaluated by a physician. It is important to seek medical care instead of trying to treat the disease on your own. Diet is one portion of treating diabetes. Insulin shots or medication may be needed to control sugar levels in some children.
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