Meal Planning for Children With Type 1 Diabetes
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Exchange meal plan
With an “exchange plan,” your child’s menu will include the amount he can eat from six different food groups: starch, fruit, milk, fat, vegetable, and meat. One food can be exchanged for another with the same amount of calories, protein, carbs, and fats. In children with type 1, dietitians often will focus on carb exchanges since this affects blood sugars the most. You can find exchange lists online.
Foods to avoid
There are no specific foods that are off-limits to your child, but there are things to consider when meal planning and grocery shopping.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Because of that, it’s good to steer your child away from fatty foods that contain cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.
Avoid foods high in salt. Eating too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure.
Limit sugary foods like candy, cookies, frosting, or soda that raise blood sugar quickly. They’re best given at a meal and with insulin. You'll adjust insulin based on carb counting. Your child doesn’t have to miss out on treats for special occasions like birthdays or Halloween. You'll just have to account for those carbs over the course of the day.
Snacks to keep on hand
“Free” snacks like cucumbers and celery or sugar-free gelatin contain very few carbs, so they won’t have much effect on your child’s blood sugar. You can also have “controlled-carb snacks” handy to for between meals. Some good kid-friendly choices: low-fat string cheese, a hard-boiled egg, or a small serving of nuts with a sugar-free drink.
Highs and lows
If your child eats more than expected or at a different time than you’ve planned, he may get high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. If this happens, you may need to make some adjustments. Talk to your diabetes team about adjusting his meal plan or his doses of insulin or other medication.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause serious problems that need treatment right away. Your child’s glucose levels can drop if he skips a meal or snack or doesn’t eat as many carbs as expected. It can also happen if he takes his insulin at the wrong time or exercises more than usual without eating extra snacks or adjusting his insulin. If your child’s levels are low, give him a sugary food. Regular soda, orange juice, or even cake frosting raise glucose levels quickly.